Hillsboro Aviation

[Midnighthog]

Anyone have any experience with Hillsboro Aviation in Oregon?

[WolftalonID]

I have a student that transfered from them that does.

[takefootoff]

I have an instructor that came from them that does as well.

 

 

I am not related to WolftalonID btw, its just a coincidence

[Astro]

Flew with them once. Found it interesting that they were OK with flying at night in a not so well lighted area in the rain, but landing with a 7kt left quartering headwind was too dangerous?

 

Other than that seemed like an OK place.

[WolftalonID]

7kts? Hmmm.

[RagMan]

Funny you mention that Astro. I'd heard something similar in regards to not flying in lights winds like that, though when I heard the information, it came from a student who use to fly up there at Hillsboro (before it became Hillsboro Academy) however, it was in regards to not doing autos in light winds.

 

I hear it's an entirely different company now since new ownership.

[Midnighthog]

yeah, I'm checking all kinds of academies and thought this one might be the best so far that I've found with the different terrain....

[turbotay]

I enjoyed it, they taught me basic skills and I made a lot of friends along the way. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

[WolftalonID]

If your looking for a variety of terrain to fly and gain experience in, try Silverhawk Aviation Academy in Idaho. I trained there, and teach there. We sit at a field elevation of 2432 feet. Many of our mountains that surround the field reach upwards of 8,000 feet. With a wide variety of weather throughout the year performance experience superceeds that of a sealevel based environment. We train from private through CFI-I, and offer long line, turbine, mountain flying courses on top of the basic ratings. If your VA we are an approved VA school, and we have a very solid and ethical VA program in place.

 

We are also a 141 approved school and associated with two colleges if your looking to go towards a degree program.

 

My student that transfered to us, came specifically to train in a more challenging terrain environment than was offered in Oregon.

[Spike]

Anyone have any experience with Hillsboro Aviation in Oregon?

 

Hillsboro has been around for a long time and I’ve met a few of their graduates throughout my career. As it always boils down, it’s a school...... However, a big plus is, they also have the commercial side of the house which may benefit their graduates in the future………

Edited September 27, 2015 by Spike

[Matt321]

yeah, I'm checking all kinds of academies and thought this one might be the best so far that I've found with the different terrain....

 

Terrain doesn't make or break a school. Nor does close proximity to class B airspace, or many of the other things I've heard mentioned in school advertisements. You are doing initial training, learning how to be a helicopter pilot. Get the basics down first, then think about some advanced training. Talk to the CFIs and current students and evaluate the school. You are the customer, and you're going to be giving them a whole lot of your hard earned money. Don't fall for gimmicks, shop around and find a good fit. Narrow it down to 2-3 schools and go visit them, ask a lot of questions, and make your choice. Schools with programs of instruction beyond initial certification and schools with part 133 and 135 operations in place do offer potential for career advancement. However, your first job is still going to be teaching, not doing utility, charter, etc. Good luck to you.

[Midnighthog]

Thank you all for the input!!!

[Naes213]

I am currently a CFI student there and have done both my instrument rating and commercial training there. (Got my private at Bristow in 2008) I can't say I did much research into other schools before I came here but I've had nothing but a great time with professional and knowledgeable instructors and management. They will bend over backwards for you and I highly recommend it.

 

As for the wind issue stated above...I trained at the Troutdale (TTD) side for most of my training and the fall/winter winds are rampant there due to the gorge. As it goes there, company policy is: Supervised solos can’t have winds more than 5knts. First Ramp Solo can’t have winds higher than 7knts and afterward (for solo) it just goes up depending on flight hours after PPL. I’ve flown in winds there 25G30 for a stage check after we got higher level approval but normally (dual training) wind speed including gusts can't exceed 25knts and gust spreads can't exceeed 10knts.

 

The flying environment is varied, beautiful and challenging. You would primarily be flying out of one of two airports: Hillsboro (KHIO); with practice areas to the north and west and the airport itself is busy, busy or Troutdale (KTTD); with practice areas to the north and south and the amazing gorge to the east and the airport is usually pretty calm until the winds start and then you get to have some fun with them. KPDX lies closer to KTTD so you have to be aware of the overlying C airspace but it’s fun doing midfield crossings there. One more thing, there is the downtown heliport (61J) which until recently did not required upper level permission due to crane activity but it lies in Portland and I always enjoyed doing approaches into there.

Any other questions, feel free to ask.