Found Local Flight School - NC Rotor and Wing

[Kelly N.]

After looking around for a bit, I've decided to train at NC Rotor and Wing. SSH was also an option, but I decided they weren't for me (based on research, personal reviews, and some of the local politics ongoing around their site in Raleigh). Took the demo flight on Sunday and had a blast (tended to over-control, but I've definitely found my "thing").

 

NC Rotor and Wing is a smaller school (part 61), but the instructor we spoke with was very knowledgeable and I talked to several students (current and former) who had nothing but good things to say about him and his teaching methods. I like the informal and very friendly atomosphere at the school and you can tell the students and pilots/CFIs there are very open and comfortable with the school. All in all, a good environment and they seem to have plenty of helos available for training with the small class sizes.

 

So, I'm getting enrolled in UVSC now and hopefully will be able to start ground school in a month or so.

 

Very excited and looking forward to starting training. I'll post additional comments/opinions of the school as my training begins and progresses in case anyone else from the area is considering taking pilot training in the Raleigh area in the future (they also do fixed wing if that's your thing).

 

Kelly

[FlyNHighNFast]

Kelly: Let me be the first to say, you are off to a great start. As a current NC Rotor & Wing student, I am 100% satisfied with all aspects of the school. Craig Piowaty and Dan Harkey are great instructors, though I must warn you, mediocrity is not something that either will tolerate, so be prepared to work hard and have fun at the same time. The training you receive in the air and on the ground will be second to none.

 

If you are not already a member, I also recommend that you join AOPA due to sheer numbers, they are more fixed wing oriented, but you will find valuable information and services that are applicable to all pilots, if you are interested in their Project Pilot mentorship program, drop me a PM and I'll be happy to assist you in any way that I can. Project Pilot Information

 

Take Care,

M.

[Kelly N.]

Kelly: Let me be the first to say, you are off to a great start. As a current NC Rotor & Wing student, I am 100% satisfied with all aspects of the school. Craig Piowaty and Dan Harkey are great instructors, though I must warn you, mediocrity is not something that either will tolerate, so be prepared to work hard and have fun at the same time. The training you receive in the air and on the ground will be second to none.

 

Take Care,

M.

 

 

Cool. I was wondering if there was someone on the board who might be student there as well. I'm sending in my info today for the Private Pilot ground school starting on the 20th and just registered for the AVSC1100 and AVSC1110 classes at UVSC.

 

My demo was with Craig and he was very good at explaining what and why during the flight and also made me very comfortable in a completely unfamiliar situation (my wife took a demo flight too and she was definitely nervous, but did great).

 

I also met Woody and Phil(?) while I was out there. Really nice guys and very open about their experiences there.

 

I'll take a look at the links you listed and message in the next couple of days after I have some time to look at them. I'm in info gathering mode right now, so I'm sure they'll be great resources.

 

Thanks and maybe I'll see you around the airport.

 

Kelly

[FlyNHighNFast]

Cool. I was wondering if there was someone on the board who might be student there as well. I'm sending in my info today for the Private Pilot ground school starting on the 20th and just registered for the AVSC1100 and AVSC1110 classes at UVSC.

 

My demo was with Craig and he was very good at explaining what and why during the flight and also made me very comfortable in a completely unfamiliar situation (my wife took a demo flight too and she was definitely nervous, but did great).

 

I also met Woody and Phil(?) while I was out there. Really nice guys and very open about their experiences there.

 

I'll take a look at the links you listed and message in the next couple of days after I have some time to look at them. I'm in info gathering mode right now, so I'm sure they'll be great resources.

 

Thanks and maybe I'll see you around the airport.

 

Kelly

 

I saw you and your wife on your demo flights this past Sunday. I was in class finishing my NC Rotor and Wing PPL Ground school final exam. I passed my Private Pilot check ride on 12/20/07. It may sound strange but I did do my FAA written and flight exams before I was able to finish the ground school. Phil was flying the R44 at the same time you guys were in the pattern, Woody also went through NCR&W for his certification.

[Michael Shaffer]

I'll post additional comments/opinions of the school as my training begins and progresses in case anyone else from the area is considering taking pilot training in the Raleigh area in the future (they also do fixed wing if that's your thing).

 

Kelly

 

Kelly,

 

My son is interested in being a helicopter pilot... will be graduating Leesville HS this year. We are just starting the research process... basically it looks like two possibilities in the Raleigh area (SSH and NC Rotor & Wing)... are there any other contenders? Be interested in speaking with you about why you selected one over the other. We haven't visited either school yet, but that will be our next step.

 

Any advice from someone who has been through the decision process would be welcome!

 

Michael Shaffer

[Kelly N.]

Kelly,

 

My son is interested in being a helicopter pilot... will be graduating Leesville HS this year. We are just starting the research process... basically it looks like two possibilities in the Raleigh area (SSH and NC Rotor & Wing)... are there any other contenders? Be interested in speaking with you about why you selected one over the other. We haven't visited either school yet, but that will be our next step.

 

Any advice from someone who has been through the decision process would be welcome!

 

Michael Shaffer

 

Hey Michael,

 

I think there are maybe some smaller schools in the area, but from what I found, NC Rotor and Wing and SSH were the two biggest (NC Rotor and Wing is not "big" by any stretch of the imagination, but it's a nice facility and had a web presence which I could not find for any other school besides SSH in this area).

 

I chose NCRW after meeting the CFI's there and talking to them and doing a demo ride. I was going to do the same at SSH, but after doing a bit of research on the web about problems they seem to be having currently, I decided not to pursue that avenue.

 

Basically, I liked the personal attention and attitudes of the CFI's there. It was a friendly and close-knit sort of atomosphere and the students and instructors I met were all obviously happy with their instruction and program.

 

Best thing to do is go out to NCRW and talk to either Craig or Todd (if he's there). They'll be straight up with you about what they offer and will be able to give you an estimate of what it will cost for the various ratings. Obviously, it may be more than the minimums, but no one I spoke with complained of the instructors there drawing out training flights in order to build up their own time.

 

I've started ground school and flight training there (just a few weeks in at this point, but I'm very happy so far with my decision.

 

Good luck and if you need newbie advice as your son gets closer to starting, let me know and I'll offer any little knowledge I have come across. Of course, you best bet is to go out to schools and get a feel for them and the instructors yourself.

 

Kelly

 

P.S. I'm also doing the UVSC B.S. degree program. Don't know if you've looked into that or not but, if so and you have questions, I'll answer as best I can on that front too.

[Guest rotorflyr84]

Good Choice!

 

I was a student at NC Rotor and Wing at the Rowan county airport. It's the other facility they have. Great helicopters, my instructor was awesome! I wish I was still training, because I miss it. Just remember to study hard, learn and never stop learning, and really enjoy all aspects of training...yes even the parts where you get frustrated. Best of luck to you!

[Kelly N.]

Good Choice!

 

I was a student at NC Rotor and Wing at the Rowan county airport. It's the other facility they have. Great helicopters, my instructor was awesome! I wish I was still training, because I miss it. Just remember to study hard, learn and never stop learning, and really enjoy all aspects of training...yes even the parts where you get frustrated. Best of luck to you!

 

Thanks! I've definitely got the bug. I've got some flight time this Wednesday and then again on Sunday. Hopefully, I'll be able to start flying at least twice a week. Good to hear from a former student at NCRW. I keep getting the same feedback that it's a great place with good people. I'm feeling better about my choice all the time

 

Safe flying.

 

Kelly N.

[lwalling]

Hi,

 

I worked with NC Rotor and Wing for my private, at Rowan County. Great fun.

 

Flying my own ship now. Caution: It's fun, addictive, and expensive.

 

Good luck!

[Guest rotorflyr84]

Hi,

 

I worked with NC Rotor and Wing for my private, at Rowan County. Great fun.

 

Flying my own ship now. Caution: It's fun, addictive, and expensive.

 

Good luck!

 

Are you based at RUQ? I don't want to invite myself, but if you're ever looking to have someone to fly with, I'm always willing and available. PM if you're interested. I'm out of JQF.

[lwalling]

Are you based at RUQ? I don't want to invite myself, but if you're ever looking to have someone to fly with, I'm always willing and available. PM if you're interested. I'm out of JQF.

 

Hi,

 

Just privately flying it, no commercial rating right now. Are you operating your own ship or flying for someone at Concord?

 

It's based at KSVH, good people over there - can't say enough good things about their service. I will ultimately keep it at my home - just cleared a really nice approach/departure area.

[Guest rotorflyr84]

Hi,

 

Just privately flying it, no commercial rating right now. Are you operating your own ship or flying for someone at Concord?

 

It's based at KSVH, good people over there - can't say enough good things about their service. I will ultimately keep it at my home - just cleared a really nice approach/departure area.

 

I'm actually flying a Piper Archer out of JQF. I logged about 8 hours in the R22, before I made the decision to go back and finish my FW ratings. As far as FW, I'm 102TT/0ME right now, and I'm working on my Instrument rating FW. I've been flying for almost nine years now this March.

 

It's got to be sweet to have your own helicopter.

 

Keep in touch!

[lwalling]

I'm actually flying a Piper Archer out of JQF. I logged about 8 hours in the R22, before I made the decision to go back and finish my FW ratings. As far as FW, I'm 102TT/0ME right now, and I'm working on my Instrument rating FW. I've been flying for almost nine years now this March.

 

It's got to be sweet to have your own helicopter.

 

Keep in touch!

 

It is, except for paying for it. 32 gallons of fuel is only two hours of "sweetness" and thats about $150 bucks lol. Insurance is horrendous also.

 

Contact James at NCRW he can help you get all your hours in, in the 22, and get your rating.

[Aldereguia]

I myself just started taking lessons here at Franklin Co. Airport as well and i absolutely enjoy it had my first flight the other day and going on my second one tomorrow trying to make this a career just i am sure that most of you guys are doing the same.

[Kelly N.]

I myself just started taking lessons here at Franklin Co. Airport as well and i absolutely enjoy it had my first flight the other day and going on my second one tomorrow trying to make this a career just i am sure that most of you guys are doing the same.

 

Hey, welcome! I just flew again this a.m. (first time in a bit of a crosswind working on hovers and flying the pattern).

 

It's great and I know I'm still having a blast (though I think the wife is getting a bit jealous of all the time I'm spending either flying or studying). I'm trying to get her hooked too though to fix that situation

 

I'm Kelly and maybe I'll see you around the place one of these days. Any idea when your ground school would start (or would you be going into the existing session? - We're only 3 weeks in at this point).

 

Once again, welcome!

Kelly