Airworks LLC Auburn, Washington

[murreybn]

Hi I have been looking into helicopter training over the past 3/4 years and think that I am finally ready to dive in. I would be working my day job while training and dont want to travel too far for training. I live about 15 minutes from Airworks LLC in Auburn, WA and was wondering if anyone had any info about them.

 

I plan on eventaully scheduling a meeting with them to find out more.

[rotorwashed]

I had a friend who was an instructor there for a while. I cant say much about the school itself, i think they use the 300 instead of the r22 for most flights. It would probably be a great place to train because the busy airspace near seatac will be great radio practice.

 

IMHO your training has little to nothing to do with the school. As long as they have enough helicopters and there arent any scheduling issues, they will probably be as good as any other school. Your instructor is much more important, the school just provides the helicopters, the instructor provides the training. When you go there for your 30 minute demo flight, show them that your serious about flying and your not there just for a $100 joy flight. Ask to meet the instructor that you will train with and see if you think you will be a good match.

 

buy a copy of the Rotorcraft Flying Handbook before you go on your demo flight. read and try to understand the first few chapters about helicopter aerodynamics and basic control of the helicopter. If you come prepared, it will show. If the rotorcraft flying manual is a cakewalk for you, then buy a copy of the FAR/AIM and go through the "suggested study list" for the private rating. Remember that your time there is a job interview from day one. A little ground studying beforehand will pay off ten-fold once you start on your ppl training.

[heli.pilot]

I flew there once and didn't care for it. They didn't have a fuel truck and their hangar was not on a main taxiway, so we're burned around 45 minutes hooking up the tug, dragging the ship of the hangar, down to the fuel farm, back to another location for startup, take the golf cart back, etc. It just seemed really inefficient to me. If every flight were like that, there would be a lot of wasted time over the course of your training. To make matters worse I was billed for all that time! Many schools have there own fuel truck and ramp area so you can simply fuel up, fire up, and go... I agree with the comment that the quality of training has more to do with the instructor and less to do with the school. A school's reputation may have some effect on your hirability, but ultimately the quality of your instructor is of greater importance. I'd much rather be trained by an outstanding instructor at a lousy school than a lousy instructor at an outstanding school...

[r22butters]

They didn't have a fuel truck and their hangar was not on a main taxiway, so we're burned around 45 minutes hooking up the tug, dragging the ship of the hangar, down to the fuel farm, back to another location for startup, take the golf cart back, etc.

 

The place I got my Commercial was similar (only the self-serve fuel was all the way at the other end of the airport, down a runway long enough for commercial airliners).

 

Every flight began by starting up, flying down to the other end, shutting down, getting gas, then starting up again. At first I thought, "This kinda sucks?", but after a while, I enjoyed the chance to practice my air-taxiing (I can't believe some other students hover-taxied there, that must have taken forever!).

 

Anyway, to each his own.

[rollthbns]

Remember that your time there is a job interview from day one. A little ground studying beforehand will pay off ten-fold once you start on your ppl training.

 

 

How true this is!

[nightsta1ker]

I flew there once and didn't care for it. They didn't have a fuel truck and their hangar was not on a main taxiway, so we're burned around 45 minutes hooking up the tug, dragging the ship of the hangar, down to the fuel farm, back to another location for startup, take the golf cart back, etc. It just seemed really inefficient to me. If every flight were like that, there would be a lot of wasted time over the course of your training. To make matters worse I was billed for all that time! Many schools have there own fuel truck and ramp area so you can simply fuel up, fire up, and go... I agree with the comment that the quality of training has more to do with the instructor and less to do with the school. A school's reputation may have some effect on your hirability, but ultimately the quality of your instructor is of greater importance. I'd much rather be trained by an outstanding instructor at a lousy school than a lousy instructor at an outstanding school...

 

I am an instructor at that school and I cannot beleive that you would be billed for the time it took to tow the aircraft and get fuel. None of the other instructors did that to me when I was training or renting there and I do not do that to my students either. Who was your instructor? Seems a lot has changed since this post went up. There are several new instructors now and the school has moved to Renton. I must say that the operation is not a standard flight school setup, and that has it's advantages and disadvantages. Really though, the quality of training you are going to get is going to be up to your instructor. I am sorry you had a bad experience with Airwork at some point, but I find it difficult to fathom some of your complaints. I have personally never flown from an operation that had it's own fuel truck. It's the AIRPORT that does not have a fuel truck (at Auburn, I mean) and so you must get your own fuel. But the student does not get charged for the time it takes to do that (at least I never charge my students for that). Ground time spent doing INSTRUCTION and flight time spent with blades turning is ALL I charge for. The rest of the prep and any BSing that goes on during the lesson is free IMO.

[Whistlerpilot]

Hey is Nick still with Airwork? He's an upstanding guy who helped me out tremendously when I converted my Canadian commercial to FAA at the old Auburn location.

[nightsta1ker]

Nick is around. He's no longer acting as the manager though.

[nightsta1ker]

Just to update: The WA branch of Airwork no longer exists. The helicopter is now being leased by AcuWings of Renton. I am on the instructor list there, so if anyone needs info feel free to contact me. I am hoping this is a good change.

[rick1128]

buy a copy of the Rotorcraft Flying Handbook before you go on your demo flight. read and try to understand the first few chapters about helicopter aerodynamics and basic control of the helicopter. If you come prepared, it will show. If the rotorcraft flying manual is a cakewalk for you, then buy a copy of the FAR/AIM and go through the "suggested study list" for the private rating. Remember that your time there is a job interview from day one. A little ground studying beforehand will pay off ten-fold once you start on your ppl training.

 

Good advice. However you can get it free off the FAA website.

[Lindsey]

Their other helicopter is being leased by Atomic Helicopters, a new helicopter flight school out of Boeing Field.

[nightsta1ker]

Their other helicopter is being leased by Atomic Helicopters, a new helicopter flight school out of Boeing Field.

 

That is correct!

Edited April 10, 2012 by nightsta1ker

[Aviation Audiobooks]

 

 

Good advice. However you can get it free off the FAA website.

 

And an Audiobook version has just been created from

www.aviationaudiobooks.com

[Lindsey]

That is correct!

 

That's funny. I just noticed your picture and employer. Bryan was a CFI at the school I am going to now, down the street. He's a great honest guy. I've also got some a couple hours in that exact ship, from way back in my demo flight days!

[nightsta1ker]

 

 

That's funny. I just noticed your picture and employer. Bryan was a CFI at the school I am going to now, down the street. He's a great honest guy. I've also got some a couple hours in that exact ship, from way back in my demo flight days!

 

I couldn't ask for a better boss. And I think it's a great operation. 202CC is a work-horse. I've got about 20 hours in her. She's the best tracked 300C I have ever flown. Not the prettiest, but she flies GREAT.