Flight training in North Carolina?

[lwalling]

I've been wanting to learn how to fly a helicopter for some time, for personal use. I now find myself in a position to pay for training easily and possibly own my own aircraft as well. I have no prior flight experience, rotary or fixed wing.

 

I've looked briefly into training in my home state, North Carolina, and have found very few options at any cost. I would prefer not to have to leave the state to obtain training.

 

One fairly close resource seems to be very responsive and cost effective (replying to emails on holidays and answering general questions promptly) but says I am to large - at 6ft 3in / 280lbs, to train in their Hughes 269A. I suspect I will find that I am also to large to train in an R22, which seems to be the craft of choice at the only other flight school I can find offering helo training in the state. There seem to be some possible options to train in a turbine aircraft versus piston because of their lift capabilities I suppose, but I don't know how that affects me since I am more likely to end up in a piston craft to fly personally.

 

Can anyone offer any advice on this subject?

 

Also, given my ultimate path after training if I can be so fortunate as to find options that will work for me, is to own a craft - should I try to train in the same vehicle I may be able to eventually purchase myself or are most piston powered helicopters fairly similar in terms of basic control?

 

And yes I did search through the forum and the faq, but did not see a great deal of information on all of these subjects - particularly helicopter-specific flight training in NC.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide me as a prospective flight student.

[PhotoFlyer]

Where in NC are you located?

[lwalling]

Where in NC are you located?

 

Near Mooresville.

 

I am willing to travel a bit, one training facility I have yet to hear from is very closeby but seems to train only in R-22's (which I'm told I wont fit in) and another is in Asheville that has the 269A and is sure I'll push the weight limits over the edge - but they are expanding their fleet later in the year.

 

Maybe the question I should be asking is: What kind of craft does a prospective school need to have to train me? I suppose I could train in an R44 couldn't ?

 

Thanks.

[KMWK]

I'll check for sure, but I think there is training available at Elkin in a 300cbi. Been told they have a 206B over there too, but I have not seen it yet. One of the companies in Fl cut a deal with the FBO owner to bring a heli up here. I'll PM you the info this morning.

[KMWK]

Give Tomlinson Aviation a call regarding training.

They have training available in both Florida and North Carolina. At the Elkin Airport.

 

Their number is 877-359-4356. You can check out their website at: www.tomlinsonaviation.com

[jamiejav]

We just opened a new heliport in Landis, North Carolina. It is located approximately 25 miles east of Mooresville. We have R-22s currently. If you are interested see www.ncrotorandwing.com and talk to Todd Henrikson. He can get you started.

I've been wanting to learn how to fly a helicopter for some time, for personal use. I now find myself in a position to pay for training easily and possibly own my own aircraft as well. I have no prior flight experience, rotary or fixed wing.

 

I've looked briefly into training in my home state, North Carolina, and have found very few options at any cost. I would prefer not to have to leave the state to obtain training.

 

One fairly close resource seems to be very responsive and cost effective (replying to emails on holidays and answering general questions promptly) but says I am to large - at 6ft 3in / 280lbs, to train in their Hughes 269A. I suspect I will find that I am also to large to train in an R22, which seems to be the craft of choice at the only other flight school I can find offering helo training in the state. There seem to be some possible options to train in a turbine aircraft versus piston because of their lift capabilities I suppose, but I don't know how that affects me since I am more likely to end up in a piston craft to fly personally.

 

Can anyone offer any advice on this subject?

 

Also, given my ultimate path after training if I can be so fortunate as to find options that will work for me, is to own a craft - should I try to train in the same vehicle I may be able to eventually purchase myself or are most piston powered helicopters fairly similar in terms of basic control?

 

And yes I did search through the forum and the faq, but did not see a great deal of information on all of these subjects - particularly helicopter-specific flight training in NC.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide me as a prospective flight student.

[bossman]

I know you are trying to stay close to home. If you could find someone that uses a 300C it would have no trouble with your weight and height. We do training in an Alouette 3130, it is a turbine aircraft, but we are in West Virginia. Good luck and keep looking.

bossman

[Falcon1184]

I've been wanting to learn how to fly a helicopter for some time, for personal use. I now find myself in a position to pay for training easily and possibly own my own aircraft as well. I have no prior flight experience, rotary or fixed wing.

 

I've looked briefly into training in my home state, North Carolina, and have found very few options at any cost. I would prefer not to have to leave the state to obtain training.

 

One fairly close resource seems to be very responsive and cost effective (replying to emails on holidays and answering general questions promptly) but says I am to large - at 6ft 3in / 280lbs, to train in their Hughes 269A. I suspect I will find that I am also to large to train in an R22, which seems to be the craft of choice at the only other flight school I can find offering helo training in the state. There seem to be some possible options to train in a turbine aircraft versus piston because of their lift capabilities I suppose, but I don't know how that affects me since I am more likely to end up in a piston craft to fly personally.

 

Can anyone offer any advice on this subject?

 

Also, given my ultimate path after training if I can be so fortunate as to find options that will work for me, is to own a craft - should I try to train in the same vehicle I may be able to eventually purchase myself or are most piston powered helicopters fairly similar in terms of basic control?

 

And yes I did search through the forum and the faq, but did not see a great deal of information on all of these subjects - particularly helicopter-specific flight training in NC.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide me as a prospective flight student.

 

You sound like a pretty big dude. Most small helicopters and airplanes just don't have the weight capacity for you + instructor + fuel + whatever else. It wouldn't make any sense for you to buy a helicopter that you can't bring a passenger AND full fuel without being over limits. Since thats the case, it wouldn't make sense to train in one either. I would definately look into something a little bigger than the 269A or R22. Keep checking with the one in Asheville. They will definately be expanding, trust me.

[lwalling]

Thank you, everyone, for your replies. It looks like there are quite a few options reasonably close to me!

 

I have received replies from NC Rotor and Wing in Raleigh/Landis and Falcon Airlink in Asheville. Both have been responsive thus far, though Falcon Airlink was replying over the Holiday weekend to multiple emails! Shame they don't have an aircraft right now for someone as tall/fat as me, though. .

 

I will be checking with all of the sources offered here and in private messages for training.

 

For the group, are there any obvious reasons why I shouldn't train in a turbine helicopter over a piston other than possible increased cost for the hours? Is the operation of the vehicle materially the same other than throttle-control where applicable? I see several facilities use an Alouette for training new pilots, others stick with the piston driven craft.

 

Thanks again for all of the very quick replies.

[lwalling]

I decided on NC Rotor and Wing in Landis, NC for my flight training. I've been running through the basics with them in their simulator and prepaid 20 hours in their R44 starting next week - I'm excited about it.

 

The ground school stuff bothers me more than the operational aspects of the aircraft, but I still am looking forward to it all (good break from the technology business!)

 

Thanks for everyones feedback on this, much appreciated.

[Lance Turbue]

Well, if costs don't matter, go for it, train in whatever helicopter you'd like to and if that be an AS365.

 

But what do you plan on doing with your certificate afterwards? Reading your posts, to me it sounded like getting a nice piston R44 and patroling my little ranch's borders making sure the other ranchers don't use up and soil my creek's supply.

 

So if that would be the craft of your choice why not get the training precisely in that seat? Meaning both: train in the same make and model you'll buy and, if your gonna buy one anyways, safe the costs to rent one now and only pay the instructor by providing your own gear .

 

Cheering for you from the sidelines ,

Lance

[500E]

LanceTurbine,s suggestion is surely the way to go, if you are buying a machine try a few and then purchase, a 500E , 206, or a Alouette . with your size full fuel, and pax + hot & high ? you really need the turbine

If I had been sensible and done this I could have save $0000.

Already owning the bird and paying for the CFI will be the way to go.

People will say what about the maintenance, Insurance, fuel ? remember the school has these costs to recover + profit.

You will save also because you are the only one using the machine and "IT IS YOURS" so will treat as such remembering every hard landing, every over speed will cost.

If you can afford it Buy and enjoy

[sactown77]

Hey all,

 

this guy already found a flight school. I'm teaching him in the R-44 at North Carolina Rotor and Wing. He's doing an excellent job!

[lwalling]

Thanks for the comments folks.

 

My intentions for the certification are primarily personal (though I do not have a ranch, or sufficient land to demand ownership of a helicopter to patrol it LOL), not intending to pursue a career in aviation at least at this time. I consider this something I've always wanted to do, even something I would have considered as a career in the past, and I have the funds to pursue that interest now. It is a challenging thing to do for personal or professional reasons, thats for certain.

 

As my training progresses I will definitely be interested in flying other aircraft, as I am not that enthusiastic about the R44 Astro I have taken my training flight in (for reasons I'm sure many of you know), and am interested in experiencing the dynamics of flying in other vehicles once I have the experience to do so.

 

Well, if costs don't matter, go for it, train in whatever helicopter you'd like to and if that be an AS365.

 

But what do you plan on doing with your certificate afterwards? Reading your posts, to me it sounded like getting a nice piston R44 and patroling my little ranch's borders making sure the other ranchers don't use up and soil my creek's supply.

 

So if that would be the craft of your choice why not get the training precisely in that seat? Meaning both: train in the same make and model you'll buy and, if your gonna buy one anyways, safe the costs to rent one now and only pay the instructor by providing your own gear .

 

Cheering for you from the sidelines ,

Lance