Best flight school in the USA???

[tluafeD]

I need to know what the "best" flight school in the USA is? im looking for a reputable school and money/ location is not an issue. please help.

[mrjibbs]

well that is a tough question. There are alot of opinions about which school is the best, as any pilot who received good, successful training will put in a good word for their school of choice, so if money is not an issue, make a list of the top 5 or so from what you hear on here, make some calls, feel them out via phone, then take a physical visit. I am personally biased towards Leading Edge Aviation in Bend, OR as i have had nothing but an awesome experience with them and they train in a mountainous part of the state. So lots of good experience, plus there are lots of opportunities to do ferry flights as a student, see my story "coast to coast!" Oregon has another pretty big, well documented school, Hillsboro Aviaiton. Heard lots of good stuff about LA Helicopters, Bristow Academy, and many more. Im sure you will get some great feedback, but for me, i recomend LEA!

 

Just do yourself a favor and do a little more research then the guy looking for a school in Sacramento and mentioned Silver State lol!!

 

Good luck and happy flyin!

[Anonymous]

couple of things:

1.) this is a common question, if you are that serious about finding the school your looking for, do some searching.

2.) there is no best flight school, it depends on what your needs are. Its like asking what the best truck/car/bike/beer/wine is.

 

so what is your objective?

[NorCalHeliKid]

Every time someone is ignorant enough about the industry to ask this question, it ends in jokes and peoples feelings getting hurt. Come ON! This cant be a serious question!!! Everyone knows that the best flight school is Silver State Helicopters.

[Galadrium]

The one I own.

 

Seriously though, I don't think there is one best flight school. It depends on your goals, your needs as a student, etc.

[Darren Hughes]

MrJibbs is right. I myself had a really great experience training with Mazzei Flying Service in Fresno, CA. Although Fresno ain't that great, Mazzei more than made up for it with their very professional approach to flight & ground instruction.

 

Having said that, with all the money that Bristow is pumping into this industry at the minute, the future prospects for their "good" students are looking pretty bright.

 

Just a thought.

[Autorotator]

Quantuum Helicopters in Chandler, AZ is a great school. Very professional. The owner is a DPE, and the Chief Flight Instructor is also a DPE. Great maintenence program. Great weather year around for flying.

 

Glacier Aviation in Olympia, WA was a good school too. They also have an on-site DPE, which is hands down the best pilot I have ever flown with. Beautiful place to fly too.

[apiaguy]

If money/location were really no issue... why not:

 

1. bell helicopter

2. American Eurocopter

3. MD helicopter

gee.. how could it get any better than the factory? I would say after you do ALL your training at one of those locations... you'd be ready for a job.

[BOATFIXERGUY]

If money/location were really no issue... why not:

 

1. bell helicopter

2. American Eurocopter

3. MD helicopter

gee.. how could it get any better than the factory? I would say after you do ALL your training at one of those locations... you'd be ready for a job.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

Here's another to add to the list:

 

THE US ARMY

[Spierman]

I second Boatfixerguy, the Army has been doing it for a very long time.

 

I would stay away from Quantum.

 

Money no object? Got capital? I would find a partner or go out on my own to purchase a machine and hire a personal instructor or factory guy. At the end of your training you have a machine to fly or sell to recoup some of your investment.

[ToTall]

Post removed

Edited December 17, 2008 by ToTall

[nocarsgo]

what helicopter do you want to train in?

[whirleegirl]

what helicopter do you want to train in?

 

The school you choose is only as good as it's instructors. You can get their best, or their worst. As long as the school doesn't, eh hem, rip you off, focus on who will be teaching you how to fly. And if you don't like 'em, don't be afraid to get another!

[Marc D]

http://www.heli-college.com/articles/11questn.htm

 

Here's a good place to start. "11 questions you need to ask your flight school"

 

Marc D.

[rotorway2000]

Quantuum Helicopters in Chandler, AZ is a great school. Very professional. The owner is a DPE, and the Chief Flight Instructor is also a DPE. Great maintenence program. Great weather year around for flying.

 

Glacier Aviation in Olympia, WA was a good school too. They also have an on-site DPE, which is hands down the best pilot I have ever flown with. Beautiful place to fly too.

 

I have visited both schools. Both are very professional, however Quantum is all about thier business. I say "their" because that is the way they come off. Them and you. You can get good training from both schools, but if you want to enjoy what you learn and not just learn, because it is equally important, go see Glacier. They will give you a much better experience. Just ask all the students who have left Quantum to go to Glacier. I intend on starting with them next year, and I have personally visited schools for years. This is my recommendation for you.

[rotorway2000]

Quantum vs. Glacier. I have visited both schools. Both are very professional, however Quantum is all about thier business. I say "their" because that is the way they come off. Them and you. You can get good training from both schools, but if you want to enjoy what you learn and not just learn, because it is equally important, go see Glacier. They will give you a much better experience. Just ask all the students who have left Quantum to go to Glacier. I intend on starting with them next year, and I have personally visited schools for years. This is my recommendation for you.