Anyone train at Helicopters NW @ KBFI?

[flyboy2233]

I'm getting very close to resuming my training, after a three year break from flying. Helicopters NW is one of the schools I am considering. Can anyone out there share their experiences with them? The website advertises R44 time at $350 an hour, fuel included. This is very appealing to me.

[Guest Richm]

Have flown their ships as rentals off and on for most of the past twenty years...great instructors, very well maintained ships. Even after purchasing my own ship two years ago, I won't have anyone else maintain my own R-22...very conscientious!

 

 

IMHO a very solid, ethical business.

[Whistlerpilot]

I leased an R22 from Emerald City Aircraft Leasing twice. The owner of Emerald City owns Helicopters NW and also leases to quite a few flight schools around the nation. I am very impressed with the maintenance and attention to detail. I have not seen cleaner machines anywhere. I also used the instructors at Heli NW to help polish up some of my students before flight exams. Very impressed with the depth of experience there. Doug the chief flight instructor has tons of experience and they have a broad instructor pool with several in the 3000 hour range. Top notch organization from all my dealings with them.

[SBuzzkill]

I have heard nothing but positive things about them and my experiences with them have all been good.

[Lindsey]

Hey,

 

I am training at Heli Northwest at Boeing Field. My first instructor there was hired by a tour operator in Las Vegas, so I've been able to fly with several CFIs based out of the Boeing Field location. Doug the chief pilot was mentioned up above for a reason - he has over 20,000 hours and an incredible wealth of knowledge.

 

I'll keep this short because I don't want this to sound like an advertisement, but here are the biggest "pluses" in my opinion as a PPL student there:

-best maintained fleet around

-in-house financing (the only way I could afford to fly...)

-several locations (flexible)

 

Oh, and the prices are great too but I won't get into that. If anyone wants more detailed info, feel free to PM me.

 

Lindsey

[heligirl03]

I did all of my training and teaching (including Lindsey!) with HNW at KBFI. This was a second career for me so I chose very carefully and the experience at HNW came highly recommended from my friends already deep into their flying careers. I got more than I bargained for and wouldn't have done it any other way, highly recommended.

 

*Tons of experience on staff

*Best maintenance and biggest fleet on the West Coast

*Great location to learn in with busy, complex airspace

*Price is right

 

 

Blue Skies,

 

HG03

[swisster]

I am doing my training with HNW at their Bremerton Location.

No need for further explenations, Heligirl03 and Lindsey have said everything in the above posts.

 

Swisster

[JCM5]

Awesome....

 

I'm going to do my training here as well once I complete my private fixed wing. Very happy to hear such high praise.....

[Maggie]

I did one instrument flight with them this summer out of Bremerton, and I had a blast! I am planning on starting my commercial with them in January-ish. I have met 2 current instructors and 2 instructors that have since moved on, and they are all great.