Helicopter Rental

[pilotspencer]

Do most FBO's and helicopter flight training businesses also rent helicopters for solo flight? I'm in the Seattle area, so I'm looking specifically at local companies such as Classic Helicopter, NW Helicopters or Glacier Helicopters.

 

Spencer

[ridethisbike]

Gonna have to call them up to find out for sure. Some will rent to you after you've gone up with one of their instructors while others have a strict policy against it. No way to tell which company has which policy without asking them directly.

[Flying Pig]

Its all school specific. Hours is something I am thankfully no longer concerned about, so my experience wasnt an issue... however I called up a school to see about renting a 300C while I was on vacation and they wanted me to come in and do a 5 hour check out with an instructor. Keeping in mind I did my Pvt-Comm in a 300.... I decided to rent a Cessna 172 that required 3 take offs and landings with a CFI.

Edited February 29, 2016 by Flying Pig

[Carpenter]

They will require a sign off from an instructor granting you privileges. Then you must maintain 14 day recency of flight or you have to start over again.

[rotorrob]

You should swing by my school, Atomic Helicopters on the north end of kbfi. They rent 300c's and have a R44.

 

They are the only school near Seattle that allows their students to rent.

[pilotspencer]

Rotorrob- What are their requirements for a solo checkout in the 300C and R44?

[ridethisbike]

They will require a sign off from an instructor granting you privileges. Then you must maintain 14 day recency of flight or you have to start over again.

 

Is that specific to one of the schools he asked about, or is that your blanket response to all schools?

Edited March 8, 2016 by ridethisbike

[rotorrob]

Rotorrob- What are their requirements for a solo checkout in the 300C and R44?

Should be just a checkout for the 300c. I don't think the 44 is available for solo rental.

[Carpenter]

 

Is that specific to one of the schools he asked about, or is that your blanket response to all schools?

 

It was the specific policy of Classic Helicopters during the time that I did my flight training with them years ago. I have also rented from Heicopters NW in the past and it was their policy as well. I am speculating that the old policy regarding rentals is still in place.

Edited March 11, 2016 by Carpenter

[Lindsey]

 

It was the specific policy of Classic Helicopters during the time that I did my flight training with them years ago. I have also rented from Heicopters NW in the past and it was their policy as well. I am speculating that the old policy regarding rentals is still in place.

Do I know you? How many years ago?

[Touchstone]

Once you have acquired a Pilots license you could always look at leasing a helicopter for private use. Maybe a few of you are interested in leasing together...that is a great way to cover cost and build hours.