PA Pilot Posted February 19, 2008 Posted February 19, 2008 I'm a low hours PP-RH (300 hrs in rotorcraft, 64 yo with no commercial aspirations) and would like to get some advanced training in mountain flying and high DA ops. Being located in the northeast I'd like to travel somewhere to train that actually has mountains. Ideally, training would be in an R44 (since that's what I normally fly), but would consider a 206, 500, etc. if the price were not outrageous (wouldn't mind getting some turbine time!). Any recommendations of a school or an independent CFI who provide his/her own ship would be much appreciated. Thanks. Quote
BOATFIXERGUY Posted February 19, 2008 Posted February 19, 2008 Well, if you want to do the course in beautiful Steamboat Springs, CO, get with Jon Whitte of Zephyr Helicopters. He is an AIG Insurance check pilot and runs a really good mountain course. Plus the scenery in Steamboat is awesome! He only uses the Enstrom and an 206L3, so no R44. Here's his web site: http://www.zephyrhelicopter.com/ Another option is Premier Helicopters in Denver in R-44's. Now, their course isn't as refined as Zephyr's, but still pretty good and in the bird you desire. Ask for Kenton or Cayse. http://premierheli.com/ Quote
NorCalHeliKid Posted February 19, 2008 Posted February 19, 2008 Try www.helitahoe.com. He runs an R44 out of South Lake Tahoe, CA. Mostly tours but I know he does instruction as well. Quote
clay Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 (edited) www.coloradovertical.com airport elevation is 4800, with lots of mountains around. Grand Junction Colorado. Premier is shut down Edited February 20, 2008 by clay Quote
freereality Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Check with Marpat 304-792-0094, a site advertiser. They are in WV I think. Bossman should be along sometime and give you some details Quote
BOATFIXERGUY Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Check with Marpat 304-792-0094, a site advertiser. They are in WV I think. Bossman should be along sometime and give you some details MARPAT would be great, except its a long flight to any REAL mountains! Just kidding. I know you east coast guys think you have mountains. Quote
adam32 Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Premier is shut down Since when? What happened? Quote
BOATFIXERGUY Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 I'm trying to find out right now. We believe, like almost all flight schools in Denver, that they've moved on to other locations due to the costs associated with operating at that altitude. I have a call into Kenton to find out. john Quote
Goldy Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Ideally, training would be in an R44 (since that's what I normally fly TwinAir-Los Angeles trains in an R44. Local mountains are 5500 to 8000. They even have snow on them this time of year. But I admit, I would love to see Lake Tahoe from a 44. Quote
southernweyr Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 They shut down because the owner is a small time J A. If he could have he would have done another SSH. He doesn't pay his bills, he treats everyone around him badly, and that is why Kenton quit. The only reason Premier was around at all is because the instructors there kept the place going while the owner was off in Mexico. They finally got tired of the crap and quit. Quote
BOATFIXERGUY Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 They shut down because the owner is a small time J A. If he could have he would have done another SSH. He doesn't pay his bills, he treats everyone around him badly, and that is why Kenton quit. The only reason Premier was around at all is because the instructors there kept the place going while the owner was off in Mexico. They finally got tired of the crap and quit. Oh could I tell you stories! ....this is not the place for that though! So I wont. Kenton and cayse are great guys, and we tried every chance we got to have them fly for us. Quote
adam32 Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Premiers website is still up and running... just bases in Broomfield, Colorado Springs and Mesa AZ. I've talked with Mike a few times (was trying to lease a 300 from him) and he seemed like a great guy...too bad. Quote
mountainchopper Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 If you were talking to premier's own about leasing a 300 that would be funny because he only had robinson experience and never had a 300 in sight. Mexico eh? [super troopers] You boys ever been to meh-he-co?[/super troopers] Quote
rick1128 Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 TwinAir-Los Angeles trains in an R44. Local mountains are 5500 to 8000. They even have snow on them this time of year. But I admit, I would love to see Lake Tahoe from a 44. Yoyo and his gang are a good bunch of guys. But why fly a 44 when you can fly a BH47? Quote
adam32 Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 If you were talking to premier's own about leasing a 300 that would be funny because he only had robinson experience and never had a 300 in sight. Mexico eh? [super troopers] You boys ever been to meh-he-co?[/super troopers] Yeah, he didn't personally have a 300, he was trying to find one for me through his other business partners and stuff. Quote
PA Pilot Posted February 20, 2008 Author Posted February 20, 2008 Thanks for the suggestions, guys! Quote
goromadgo Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Any idea when this happened with Premier? They were one of the schools I was looking into... Quote
clay Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 (edited) I work for Colorado Vertical in Grand Junction, the only reason i know that they are no longer is because we now have the contract to provide training through the community college in Rangely. They DID have that agreement, but they disappeared and left one of they're CFI's high and dry in Rangely. I can put you in contact with him. he knows alot more than i do Edited February 20, 2008 by clay Quote
Janet Posted February 21, 2008 Posted February 21, 2008 Call Claudio at HeliTahoe, in South Lake Tahoe CA. He is an owner/instructor, high hours and very experienced in Mountain Flying, and flies an R-44. helitahoe.comClaudio Bellotto (530) 544-2211 Quote
Goldy Posted February 21, 2008 Posted February 21, 2008 Yoyo and his gang are a good bunch of guys. But why fly a 44 when you can fly a BH47? Yes, the B 47 is up and running again with a fresh overhaul. I guess the reason you would want the 44 over the 47 is so you could get TO the mountains. I dont have all day ya know...and 65 knots just seems so slow compared to 130K. I love them both equally though...the 44 doesnt have that great whoosh, whoosh shound ! Quote
betr_thn_Icarus Posted February 22, 2008 Posted February 22, 2008 Yes call Claudio at helitahoe. He is one of my old instructors. Also the area is very nice to stay in. I think tahoe airport is at 6500 or something like that. Claudio is an Italian guy and pretty funny but he knows his stuff inside out and backwards. You might also try gunner aviation in Rancho Murieta, CA w/ the bell 47. They are not at the mountains but very close. Quote
billglukman Posted February 22, 2008 Posted February 22, 2008 Check out Whirlybird Helciopters in Utah www.flywhirly.com . There at the base of a 11k mounitan. Quote
sky2 Posted February 23, 2008 Posted February 23, 2008 (edited) Wasatch Helicopter Academy in Salt Lake City Utah. R22, R44, Hughs 500D, E and NOTAR Turbine transitions.Long Line, Mountain, ENG, Tours, Wildlife management and Platform Training Specialties. Over 10,000 hours of military and civilian experience. SeeSkyParkHelicopters.com and pathfinderhelicopters.com for more information. Edited February 23, 2008 by sky2 Quote
rick1128 Posted February 23, 2008 Posted February 23, 2008 The instructors from CHC did the Mountain flying course at HAI this year. Lots of excellent information. They do a flying course in Canada that by the looks of it is excellent. A little stiff on the price though. Quote
Worldcrime Posted March 9, 2008 Posted March 9, 2008 Canadian Helicopters has a mountain flying school in Penticton, B.C. The best in the world. Not cheap, unfortunetly. Be 206 qualified first to save money. Ask for Jan Rustad. Richard http://www.heli-wear.com http://www.heli-safety.com Quote
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