Helicopter Flight Training "NW Oregon"

1957-Lomcevak · September 1, 2007

My general question is; What helicopter flight schools would you recommend, and why?

I reside in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, and I've be researching helicopter flight schools in the NW area of Oregon.

In brief, I have an extensive background in the civilian aviation field, which dates from the mid 70’s to the mid 1980’s. This background consists of fixed wing flight (SEL & MEL, 500+hrs. TT) and 8+ years of mechanics (general aviation, experimental & limited category).

I believe that I have found most of the schools with in a 50-60 mile radius of my residence (Applebee Aviation, Hillsboro Aviation, Precision Aviation & Sunset Helicopters). One school in particular has been eliminated (Silver State Helicopters, Salem, OR) not because of distance but, because of very obvious deficiencies’!

Thanks for your opinions and replies!

nicepants · September 4, 2007

I reside in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, and I've be researching helicopter flight schools in the NW area of Oregon.

I don't have any recommendations, but I was curious what their R22 rental rate is up there. In KS, mine runs about $247/hour....but about $20/hour of that is sales tax. Wondered if, without sales tax, your rates are any lower.

September 4, 2007

Have you visited any of the fore mentioned flight schools? If you haven't make the trip, go for a couple of flights and see which one suits you best. What did they treat you like when you visited? Did they help you out, did they sort of blow you off, or did you find yourself walking away wondering if they even cared. If I could recommend a flight school I would say Precision since you wanna stay close to home. Haven't heard a bad thing about them and all of the instructors were real helpful and patient with any questions I asked them. If your looking to go further, I would say take a visit to the Corvallis airport and visit the flight school I attend, Avia Aviation Services.

nicepants- Helicopter rental for an R-22 runs at 205 at my flight school (Avia), tack on another 44 dollars/ hour for the instructor. Don't know what the 300 runs for, you would have to check Precision and Hillsboro for that one.

BigSky · September 4, 2007

I don’t live in Portland right now but am moving out there at the end of the month. I am also looking at all of schools you mentioned. There are a few good threads on here with info about the schools if you do a search for each of the schools names.

I am going to check all of them out when I get there but I think Im leaning towards Hillsboro because they have a school in Trout dale which is closer to where Ill be.

I am kind of interested in Appelbee because it seems to me that for the same money as Hillsboro you get your turbine conversion as well. I haven’t been able to speak to them directly yet but is that the way it seems to you?

Precision seems like a good school I just don’t think I want to drive to Newberg.

Autorotator · September 4, 2007

If you are going to make aviation a career, why do a turbine transition? When you get your 1000 hours and go off to "bigger and better" turbine helicopters, you will get paid to get the training you will need for the 135 practical (In most cases). Personally I think it's a waste of money.

I got my CFI and CFII in Olympia, WA out of Glacier aviation. Great school if you don't mind it being a part 61 operation. The quality of training is no different, just the hour requirements for different things. I would highly recommend Glacier Aviation. I have no experience with any of the other schools mentioned, except with Dale, a DPE out of Hillsboro Aviation. Nothing bad to say.

Good Luck.

BigSky · September 4, 2007

If you are going to make aviation a career, why do a turbine transition? When you get your 1000 hours and go off to "bigger and better" turbine helicopters, you will get paid to get the training you will need for the 135 practical (In most cases). Personally I think it's a waste of money.

Yes but wouldn’t you rather have the turbine transition for the same price?

OhhAndy · September 4, 2007

I don’t live in Portland right now but am moving out there at the end of the month. I am also looking at all of schools you mentioned. There are a few good threads on here with info about the schools if you do a search for each of the schools names.

I am going to check all of them out when I get there but I think Im leaning towards Hillsboro because they have a school in Trout dale which is closer to where Ill be.

I am kind of interested in Appelbee because it seems to me that for the same money as Hillsboro you get your turbine conversion as well. I haven’t been able to speak to them directly yet but is that the way it seems to you?

Precision seems like a good school I just don’t think I want to drive to Newberg.

I dont quite get your question, your looking for the best schools in Oregon or the best schools in Portland? If your not willing to go outside the Portland area than Hillsboro is your only real choice if your serious about training to become a career pilot. Now if you willing to go outside your 20 mile radious then I have two other schools that IMO are much better than Hillsboro. PM me if your interested.

IFLY · September 5, 2007

So 1957 just what are the obvious deficiencies in the Silver State operation there?

ben_davenport · September 5, 2007

Come on over and check us out at Precision. We will be happy to show you around the place and take you on an intro flight. I am very happy with the training I got here. I can't speak for other schools in the area because I never trained anywhere else. Our rates are $202/hr for aircraft rental & $37/hr for the ground and dual instruction for private and commercial ratings. For instrument, CFI & CFII the rates are $225/hr and $50/hr. A %5 discount is available on aircraft rental when you put money on account.

Keep looking around and visit everyone. That's the only way you'll know which school is right for you. Hope to see you out here soon.

Autorotator · September 5, 2007

name='Autorotator' date='Sep 4 2007, 12:24 ' post='52336']
If you are going to make aviation a career, why do a turbine transition? When you get your 1000 hours and go off to "bigger and better" turbine helicopters, you will get paid to get the training you will need for the 135 practical (In most cases). Personally I think it's a waste of money.

Yes but wouldn’t you rather have the turbine transition for the same price?

It's not the same price. If you go to their website and look at the turbine transition course, they recommend that you already have your CFI, and a minimum of 250 hours. The cost of the transition is $19,950.00 for 36 hours in a Hughs 500C. That comes out to $554.17 per flight hour. Dual instruction in the Hughs 269 is $230 per hour.

Oops. While writing all of this I was cross referencing Applebees website and saw that there was an actual Professional Pilot Program for $50,000. But the catch is, you will get your private, commercial, and CFI licenses. You are not going to get very far without your Instrument. Most places in the Gulf will want you to have your instrument. As far as I know, all EMS jobs require you to have your instrument. Even some tour companies want to see an instrument ticket. $50,000 sounds pretty steep for just your ppl, cpl, and cfi. It doesn't look like Applebee even offers instrument training. JMO.

--CM

BigSky · September 5, 2007

It's not the same price. If you go to their website and look at the turbine transition course, they recommend that you already have your CFI, and a minimum of 250 hours. The cost of the transition is $19,950.00 for 36 hours in a Hughs 500C. That comes out to $554.17 per flight hour. Dual instruction in the Hughs 269 is $230 per hour.

Oops. While writing all of this I was cross referencing Applebees website and saw that there was an actual Professional Pilot Program for $50,000. But the catch is, you will get your private, commercial, and CFI licenses. You are not going to get very far without your Instrument. Most places in the Gulf will want you to have your instrument. As far as I know, all EMS jobs require you to have your instrument. Even some tour companies want to see an instrument ticket. $50,000 sounds pretty steep for just your ppl, cpl, and cfi. It doesn't look like Applebee even offers instrument training. JMO.

--CM

I think your right. I looked again and I cant find any where about instrument. I’m sure the school will be able to tell me more about that. but thanks for the input.

1957-Lomcevak · September 12, 2007

I dont quite get your question, your looking for the best schools in Oregon or the best schools in Portland? If your not willing to go outside the Portland area than Hillsboro is your only real choice if your serious about training to become a career pilot. Now if you willing to go outside your 20 mile radious then I have two other schools that IMO are much better than Hillsboro. PM me if your interested.

Hello OhhAndy,

I initially gave the parameters of my background in the aviation field, copy listed.

In brief, I have an extensive background in the civilian aviation field, which dates from the mid 70’s to the mid 1980’s. This background consists of fixed wing flight (SEL & MEL, 500+hrs. TT) and 8+ years of mechanics (general aviation, experimental & limited category).

I believe that I have found most of the schools with in a 50-60 mile radius of my residence (Applebee Aviation, Hillsboro Aviation, Precision Aviation & Sunset Helicopters). One school in particular has been eliminated (Silver State Helicopters, Salem, OR) not because of distance but, because of very obvious deficiencies’!

I also indicated that I was willing to travel up to a 50 mile radius from my residence, which is in outer SE Portland, OR.

What schools are you willing to suggest, and Why?

Thanks!

1957-Lomcevak · September 12, 2007

So 1957 just what are the obvious deficiencies in the Silver State operation there?

Based on many years of working in the aviation field, (repair, maintenance, modification, management, fixed wing flight school & flying aircraft), one example “SSH” numbers don’t compute, i.e. seminar attendees to flight school graduates (private, commercial, instrument, CFI & CFII).

Their flight schools are a MILL!! Not just the location in Salem, OR either.

I have spoken in-depth with the corporate office in LV, NV about the seminars/training/graduation percentages and discovered that the lip service that is spoken will eventually be exposed for what it is!!

In addition I’m not thrilled about training in a rotor wing aircraft (R22 or R44) that is the helicopter version of an Ercoupe, which has nothing to do with “SSH”. Too many years and hours flying high performance (350-400 KPH) fixed wing, reciprocating engine, aircraft!