Reno-Truckee-Tahoe CA/NV students

[Rotorookie]

Hi, I'm trying to get an idea of who is out there in this area especially students who have already begun their training and have gone too far to quit now (obviously some Silver State victims).

I am a Commercial student in South Lake Tahoe and lost out in the High Sierra Helicopters failure a few years back, I'm trying to complete my training and Rancho Murietta, Concord, Fresno, Tulare are all too far away, just can't believe there are no R22 schools in Northern Nevada, is anyone with me on this?

I am talking to a highly reputable local CFI who is considering a school in Cason City NV, this would benefit me and any other students in this region.

Please PM me if you (like myself) are in this predicament.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Rotorookie

[fboman]

Hey Rotorookie, fboman here, just wanted to let you know that I understand your frustration. There is a flight instructor who is based out of here (which is probably the same instrutor who you refered to, but just in case). Claudio has operated HeliTahoe out of S. Tahoe for more than three years now. And let me tell you something, every student that he has trained in his R44 has passed. Its very rare that you find a 100% pass rate at a location with this elavation. It goes to show that, he doesnt pull any punches. Some would say that I'm one of the few perminant fixtures here at KTVL's FBO, and as most people who are at a FBO as much as I am, you tend to get a lay of the land. His students get nothing but the best in helicoptor training.

Not to mention your in Lake Tahoe, so if you have to spend your time and money on training, why not make it happen in one of the most senic locations in the world.

His contact info is 530-544-2211, or check him out at HeliTahoe.com

 

Hope that this helps!

 

fboman

[jrspilot32]

Hey Roger, It's Josh

 

I finished up my training in Auburn, CA at Sierra Vista Aviation. Probably a little closer to you than than all the other schools. They have a brand new R22. Check them out if you want some extra flying time.

 

http://www.flysierravista.com/

[MountainFlyer]

Several students and I are just finishing our private training with

Claudio at HeliTahoe. I can't praise him enough for the excellent job

he does. Training first-rate and safe pilots is Claudio's first love

and highest priority, even though he has thousands of hours and could

choose other commercial pursuits. Claudio sets very high ethical

standards--he is almost obsessive about using time efficiently (he is

very proud that his students pass check rides with lower hours than the

national averages), and has shunned any business model that depends on

large up-front commitments that trap students. Claudio is demanding but

patient, and very safety oriented (he is also the FAA safety

representative for KTVL where he operates). The South Lake Tahoe

R44-based training location provides mountain flying awareness and

experience (every hour is considered mountain flying time).

 

Your dream appears to be coming true. I understand Claudio is expanding

to serve Reno and Carson City, and taking signups for R22-based

training out of the Carson City airport. So Claudio will have both R44

mountain training and R22 lower elevation (and more economical)

training locations.

 

MountainFlyer

[flyhyeguy]

Rotorookie

 

I recently read the comments by Mountain Flyer and I have to tell you that

I absolutely agree!

Claudio Belloto is one of the best flight instructors I have ever had--and I

am commercially rated in both fixed-wing and my love, helicopters!

Some of the things I really liked about Claudio are his charming personality

and sense of humor. He loves to teach and this is so obvious in the way he

treats the student. He encourages the student each and every step of the

way. One of my favorite things is that on one of our flights, he noticed I was

a bit tired. He turned me right around and we went back. I have had other

instructors who spent an entire hour making me repeat the maneuver for

repeatedly even though I was not getting it that day.

If nothing else, go and meet him as well as the airport. I am confident that

you will be happy that you did~!

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

[Rotorookie]

.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Rotorookie

[flyhyeguy]

All the more, I am hoping to start my mountain flying course

with Claudio in the not so distant future. I am hoping for the

R44 so that I can build up some hours in that helicopter.

 

Besides, the South Lake Tahoe airport is quite a beautiful

place and gives you some good training in strong winds~!

[Rotorookie]

.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Rotorookie

[helifool]

I just got back from flying up in Reno, Stead, Truckee, Lake Tahoe area with Bristow Academy, what a blast! Anyways you may wanna check out Bristow Academy in Concord CA.

[Rotorookie]

.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Rotorookie

[helifool]

Not exactly in the area though is it?

I was looking for Reno/Truckee/Tahoe students.

 

There is currently no helicopter training in Northern Nevada, give Claudio at Helitahoe a call if you are interested in this happening.

 

Roger.

 

No, I guess I didn't read his post close enough.....

[freebird1401]

This is starting to sound like a advertisment.

[Rotorookie]

.

Edited December 1, 2017 by Rotorookie

[adam32]

You lost out on High Sierra, but wasn't the guy in Tahoe your talking about partners in High Sierra?

[claudio]

You lost out on High Sierra, but wasn't the guy in Tahoe your talking about partners in High Sierra?

 

'morning everibody.

 

I have read several comments about High Sierra Helicopter, a school that no longer exists, but somehow is still

taunting me from the depth of the darkness. I 'd like to set the records straight for everybody's benefit.

HSH has begun as a training center in Placerville July 2005, by Douglas Bawden, and at the same time a second branch

of ops was established at South Lake Tahoe with the intent of providing scenic tours and aerial photography.

Due to the alarming CFI turnover at the school, I offered to provide training, driving every afternoon to Placerville,

fly with the students and back to SLT, for a total of 112 miles a day. Never seen 1 dollar for that, and the only reason

that kept me going was an unconditional dedication to the students, which were left out to dry without a CFI.

Many of them had already deposited a substantial down payment, and I felt compelled to do my best to keep them

flying. In September 2005, I became 50 % partner of the SLT ops, and still continued to provide free ground and flight

training. December 2005 meant a sharp turn in the faith of the SLT branch, where I became the only owner-operator,

and the name was changed to HeliTahoe. Therefore, I'd like to point out that I never had anything to do with the

misfortune that seemed to lurk above HSH, call it bad management or ill fated marketing decisions. I personally call it dishonesty.

 

HeliTahoe has proven to be extremely succesful, with the right person at the helm.An average annual increase of flight

volume of 375 % speaks for itself. I am committed to flight instruction more than ever, and trying to make a difference in an environment sadly populated by scams and malpratices. I strongly encourage everybody to give me a buzz, should you be interested in more detailed information.

I hope the water is no longer so murky, and I apologize for my grammar mistakes. I feel more comfortable with IFR clearances...

 

Thanks for your attention,

fly safe!

Claudio.

 

%

[adam32]

'morning everibody.

 

I have read several comments about High Sierra Helicopter, a school that no longer exists, but somehow is still

taunting me from the depth of the darkness. I 'd like to set the records straight for everybody's benefit.

HSH has begun as a training center in Placerville July 2005, by Douglas Bawden, and at the same time a second branch

of ops was established at South Lake Tahoe with the intent of providing scenic tours and aerial photography.

Due to the alarming CFI turnover at the school, I offered to provide training, driving every afternoon to Placerville,

fly with the students and back to SLT, for a total of 112 miles a day. Never seen 1 dollar for that, and the only reason

that kept me going was an unconditional dedication to the students, which were left out to dry without a CFI.

Many of them had already deposited a substantial down payment, and I felt compelled to do my best to keep them

flying. In September 2005, I became 50 % partner of the SLT ops, and still continued to provide free ground and flight

training. December 2005 meant a sharp turn in the faith of the SLT branch, where I became the only owner-operator,

and the name was changed to HeliTahoe. Therefore, I'd like to point out that I never had anything to do with the

misfortune that seemed to lurk above HSH, call it bad management or ill fated marketing decisions. I personally call it dishonesty.

 

HeliTahoe has proven to be extremely succesful, with the right person at the helm.An average annual increase of flight

volume of 375 % speaks for itself. I am committed to flight instruction more than ever, and trying to make a difference in an environment sadly populated by scams and malpratices. I strongly encourage everybody to give me a buzz, should you be interested in more detailed information.

I hope the water is no longer so murky, and I apologize for my grammar mistakes. I feel more comfortable with IFR clearances...

 

Thanks for your attention,

fly safe!

Claudio.

 

%

 

 

So, in short, yes you were. Just not when it went under?

[relyon]

'morning everibody.

 

I have read several comments about High Sierra Helicopter, a school that no longer exists, but somehow is still taunting me from the depth of the darkness. I 'd like to set the records straight for everybody's benefit. ...

In no way am I attacking or defending anyone involved with High Sierra Helicopters (HSH), and I have no desire or intent to impugn anyone's reputation, notably yours or mine. That having been said, I'm compelled to describe a somewhat different series of events for everone's benefit as well. My statements can be substantiated by several individuals, some of whom participate in this forum.

 

There were five instructors at HSH the entire time it was in business, with you and I being two of them. D* was first, you were next, I was after you, S* was after me, E* was after S*, and I returned as the final instructor prior to HSH's closing. You had no further involvement in instruction at HSH after I first started on 09/26/2005 to my knowledge. Doesn't that make you part of the turnover you describe?

 

Bob

[betr_thn_Icarus]

I can agree on the order of instructors.

 

Ahh old HSH....oh the memories. One of them was the beginning of each flight where we started...flew to the pump...shut down and fueled up.....then started again to do the flight. All on the clock that I (and the other students in turn) was paying for.

 

Did anyone besides me ever get fully refunded?

 

Aside from that is it really practical to use an R22 in Carson with an elevation of 4697 at the field? I know it sure is hot down there during the summer on most of the days. (I used to live there)

 

Not to bump Claudio out of the equation but has anyone asked Blue Sky Aviation if they are STILL interested in setting another school up? Maybe they could do it if Claudio doesn't. The student base is there at least for a while if the altitude works out. A company in Carson even leases choppers.

 

Good luck on the training...I hope you get a new school set up somewhere reasonable. I used to dread the 3+ hour drive to Rancho then back after the flight...not to mention winter driving slow downs.

[NorCalHeliKid]

Not to bump Claudio out of the equation but has anyone asked Blue Sky Aviation if they are STILL interested in setting another school up? Maybe they could do it if Claudio doesn't. The student base is there at least for a while if the altitude works out. A company in Carson even leases choppers.

 

Ive talked with BSAI's owner recently. The rumor of him starting a school in the Sacramento area spread fast and I wish it were true, for his sake. Currently, hes revamping his school & syllabus to run more efficiently and once he has a solid program which he can pick up and take somewhere he will consider another school. For now, its a no-go with the market/loan situation bieng what they are. The school in Tulare is worth checking out, albeit in a dryed up lake bed.

[claudio]

So, in short, yes you were. Just not when it went under?

 

 

Adam32,

 

in my reply it was CLEARLY stated that I became 50% partner in "THE LAKE TAHOE OPERATION",

nothing to do with the HSH school.

 

fly safe,

Claudio.

[claudio]

I can agree on the order of instructors.

 

Ahh old HSH....oh the memories. One of them was the beginning of each flight where we started...flew to the pump...shut down and fueled up.....then started again to do the flight. All on the clock that I (and the other students in turn) was paying for.

 

Did anyone besides me ever get fully refunded?

 

Aside from that is it really practical to use an R22 in Carson with an elevation of 4697 at the field? I know it sure is hot down there during the summer on most of the days. (I used to live there)

 

Not to bump Claudio out of the equation but has anyone asked Blue Sky Aviation if they are STILL interested in setting another school up? Maybe they could do it if Claudio doesn't. The student base is there at least for a while if the altitude works out. A company in Carson even leases choppers.

 

Good luck on the training...I hope you get a new school set up somewhere reasonable. I used to dread the 3+ hour drive to Rancho then back after the flight...not to mention winter driving slow downs.

 

Hey man, always a pleasure to know you are around and doing fine!

 

The commute to Placerville would kill me too fast, and I have been there already...

The choice is still debated between Carson and Minden, with negligible difference in elevation, but close enough to RNO

to encourage the commuting without having to drive all the way up to TVL. I am based at Carson for wild horses tours,

but I'd rather train out of Minden, to shorten MY commute.

 

There are schools training in the 22 at high elevation, obviously not the optimal condition, but a good power management

exposure. Useless to say, weight limitations will certainly apply... I am actually on a tuna fish diet.

I hope you are progressing with your comm. at a fast pace, stay in touch.

 

Fly safe

Claudio.

[betr_thn_Icarus]

Hey man, always a pleasure to know you are around and doing fine!

 

The commute to Placerville would kill me too fast, and I have been there already...

The choice is still debated between Carson and Minden, with negligible difference in elevation, but close enough to RNO

to encourage the commuting without having to drive all the way up to TVL. I am based at Carson for wild horses tours,

but I'd rather train out of Minden, to shorten MY commute.

 

There are schools training in the 22 at high elevation, obviously not the optimal condition, but a good power management

exposure. Useless to say, weight limitations will certainly apply... I am actually on a tuna fish diet.

I hope you are progressing with your comm. at a fast pace, stay in touch.

 

Fly safe

Claudio.

 

Hopefully the school works out in Carson or Minden. Being close to Reno is good because one thing I really missed out on during my private was flying in big airspace....then I came to Florida and the school is even in a controlled airspace. I learned to like it though once I got used to it.

 

Yeah good to see you too. I'm working on things in Daytona Beach. I've slowed my training drastically and am saving for an all-at-once ending where I finish out my CFII by going 6 times a week. Right now I am doing the police academy and will be a cop in DB while finishing up. I hope to fly for the Sherriff down here after instructing and tours to build hours....but the plan could change...I never really know for sure.

 

Weird that HSH is all coming up again. Sorry for helping this subject get off topic.

 

Back to flight schools...

I know they are far from Tahoe but I had a good experience finishing my private at Gunner Aviation in Rancho Murieta (SACRAMENTO County). The Bell 47 is really a good machine if you don't need to go fast....very stable. Plus I'm a bigger guy and the 47 made that a non-issue. I can't vouch for right now but the last known price there that I paid was 290 an hour...maybe high but if you want to finish a rating it worked for me. The owner even let students stay at his house for early morning checkrides so you didn't have that long drive right before a checkride.

 

You guys and maybe girls really do need a school up there more north though. THAT'S WHY I MOVED TO FLORIDA and left a great job to do it!!!!! Now I don't have to worry about schools again because they are EVERYWHERE.

 

Whoever starts that school up there, Claudio or other, is going to make out VERY well. If it was there I wouldn't have left.

 

-Seth

[Delaney]

Well I have read this forum for a long time and decided to sign up finally because I can't hold back my question. My friend who got me interested in helicopters went to High Sierra Hellicopters Inc. and told me a lot about it. He got the owner D to call me and he flew me around for a free half hour demo because D was trying to get me to sign up. My friend also mentioned the C man was suspected for some damage to the aircraft at one point. He came in after the C man was gone as a teacher but heard a lot from the old owner. My friend also saw him at the airport walking around when he had no reason to be there since he hated the drive and didn't work there or teach there. Can any of you from the school shed light on this? I live in Sac and thought about going to Tahoe for some flights until I heard this was possible. The Sac schools are not real excellent. I am not accusing but just asking.

 

My friend said he payed as he flew and that no money was required up front but was encoraged for a discount. He said the owner D was a good guy and drove crappy cars to try to save money. Even that his personal car had been messed with in Tahoe so that it was unusable at some point too. He said that the school founder D was owed money by C in Tahoe not the other way around. Sounds shady to me. Who do I trust? I will pick A or B. Not C or D.

 

-Jim

[betr_thn_Icarus]

Well I have read this forum for a long time and decided to sign up finally because I can't hold back my question. My friend who got me interested in helicopters went to High Sierra Hellicopters Inc. and told me a lot about it. He got the owner D to call me and he flew me around for a free half hour demo because D was trying to get me to sign up. My friend also mentioned the C man was suspected for some damage to the aircraft at one point. He came in after the C man was gone as a teacher but heard a lot from the old owner. My friend also saw him at the airport walking around when he had no reason to be there since he hated the drive and didn't work there or teach there. Can any of you from the school shed light on this? I live in Sac and thought about going to Tahoe for some flights until I heard this was possible. The Sac schools are not real excellent. I am not accusing but just asking.

 

My friend said he payed as he flew and that no money was required up front but was encoraged for a discount. He said the owner D was a good guy and drove crappy cars to try to save money. Even that his personal car had been messed with in Tahoe so that it was unusable at some point too. He said that the school founder D was owed money by C in Tahoe not the other way around. Sounds shady to me. Who do I trust? I will pick A or B. Not C or D.

 

-Jim

 

 

 

All I can say to that is that you don't know what you are talking about! I think you have overstepped a boundary on this one. Some of what you mentioned may have been alleged but never proven.

 

I won't because of personal privacy but I could list off people who got the short end of the stick from that school....students, instructors, leasing companies, and a few others.

 

Again... you just don't know what your talking about.

[betr_thn_Icarus]

So... no response Delaney?