Scenic Helicopters

[Heritage]

I am considering scenic helicopters in seveirville, tn. to train at and was wondering if anyone had any experience with them. Thanks for any replys.

[air_1]

I don't have any direct dealings with them, but I called them back in October and they wanted an outrageous rate for their -22, over $300 if IIRC. I think they said the expensive rate on their helicopters had something to do with their insurance and they were trying to get that lowered. They also said they wouldn't have any training helicopters up until March or April of this year. I went down the road to Smoky Mountain helicopters and took a flight with them. Their rate for the -22 was $225 wet and instructor. Not a bad deal if you ask me. Sorry I don't have any more info on Scenic.

[Apache]

I don't have any direct dealings with them, but I called them back in October and they wanted an outrageous rate for their -22, over $300 if IIRC. I think they said the expensive rate on their helicopters had something to do with their insurance and they were trying to get that lowered. They also said they wouldn't have any training helicopters up until March or April of this year. I went down the road to Smoky Mountain helicopters and took a flight with them. Their rate for the -22 was $225 wet and instructor. Not a bad deal if you ask me. Sorry I don't have any more info on Scenic.

 

 

 

 

I stopped by Scenic last Sun after church and talked to the guy working the counter for a few minutes. They aren't gonna start giving lessons until sometime this spring. He didn't know exactly when that would be, just that it would be sometime in the spring.

He also told me that their rates last season were something like $269/hr (I don't remember exactly, it was mid-high $200's), but that they would be going up this season due to rising fuel costs. He took down my contact info and there were about 15-20 other names on the list.

[K-38]

I stopped by Scenic last Sun after church and talked to the guy working the counter for a few minutes. They aren't gonna start giving lessons until sometime this spring. He didn't know exactly when that would be, just that it would be sometime in the spring.

He also told me that their rates last season were something like $269/hr (I don't remember exactly, it was mid-high $200's), but that they would be going up this season due to rising fuel costs. He took down my contact info and there were about 15-20 other names on the list.

My 2 cents none of that sounds very good from here. I think you now know enough about them to check them off your list. Good luck in your search.

[air_1]

I don't know how far you are from Rockwood, but these people seem like they know what they are doing. I have no first hand experience with them, but it doesn't look too shabby.

 

http://www.tennesseeflighttraining.com

 

Then you've got the place in Nashville.

 

http://www.nobleaviation.net/

 

(Not even sure you're in TN, just throwing these out there)

Edited February 16, 2008 by air_1

[propwasher]

Scenic has been going through some tough times but they are very nice people who have helped many low-time pilots get their foot in the door. I wouldn't be so quick to check them off as undesirable. When warmer weather comes, give them another call.

Their Helicopter Museum went out of business, and they're in the process of selling off many of the displays (Ebay).

And if you're looking at the Nashville area, don't forget HeliStar Aviation at John Tune Airport www.helistaraviation.com Four helicopters and more coming. No scheduling problems, no traffic delays.

[Heritage]

I called Scenic and set up a lesson with them mostly to see if it would be a place I would want to train. 10:00 turned into 1:30 before I got to fly and I was quoted $240.00 an hour with instructor, I flew 1.1 hour and the total came to $ 315.00. I just paid and didn't complain, they seem like real nice people but they're not organized enough yet to start training.

 

Air 1 I went online and checked out tennesseeflighttraining they look like it would be about the same distance to travel for me as scenic would have been.

 

Thanks to all for replys, Heritage

[air_1]

Scenic has been going through some tough times but they are very nice people who have helped many low-time pilots get their foot in the door. I wouldn't be so quick to check them off as undesirable. When warmer weather comes, give them another call.

Their Helicopter Museum went out of business, and they're in the process of selling off many of the displays (Ebay).

And if you're looking at the Nashville area, don't forget HeliStar Aviation at John Tune Airport www.helistaraviation.com Four helicopters and more coming. No scheduling problems, no traffic delays.

 

 

I don't know how I overlooked Helistar. Looks like they run a top notch operation.

 

Also as propwasher said, looks like Scenic really gives low-timers an opportunity to start their careers. I think they hire right around 500 hours, or so I've heard.