Helicopter schools

[TheMan 45]

Hello im sure there are plenty of veterans on the forum. Just curious if anyone knows if there are any flight schools in NJ that accept the post 9/11 gi bill. The VA does not have a list of schools in NJ. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks alot guys/gals

[1LtCAP 4,264]

i dunno how far you can travel...but look up "helicopter flight services" in lumberton nj. they're on the flying w airport. i don't know if they work with that, but a phone call can't hurt. great guys there too.

[Maksim 1,504]

I would contact AS350driver and njpilot here on the forum. 

[AS350Driver 56]

i dunno how far you can travel...but look up "helicopter flight services" in lumberton nj. they're on the flying w airport. i don't know if they work with that, but a phone call can't hurt. great guys there too.

 

 

I was an instructor at helicopter flight services, and we had a couple of guys using their GI bill to pay for school. The thing is that you have to pay for your private pilot certificate out of pocket, and after that you get 60% reimbursement for you instrument and commercial certificate IIRC. Their phone number is (609)-265-0822. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me, and i'll answer any questions you have.

[njpilot 671]

I've been out of the flight instructing business since 1989, so I probably can't help too much.

 

I know there is still a flight school at Princeton airport and I think there may be one at Allaire.

 

Like I said, I've been out of it for a long time.

[AS350Driver 56]

Keith, I believe for him to be able to use his GI bill, the school has to be a 141 school. Nassau in Princeton, and the school in Linden are not 141.

[njpilot 671]

Yep. Probably right on that Frank.

[blksheep 466]

I've always wanted to learn how to fly a helicopter.

[The_Matrix 105]

I've always wanted to learn how to fly a helicopter.

Me too

[wink-_-wink 1]

when i looked this up for my Private Pilot Lisence with the GI Bill I was told it would cover tuition and things like that but NOT the actual flight hours which is the expensive part.  It was like $90 per flight hour and you needed a ton of flight hours for the certification.  I am not sure if it is the same for Helicopters but I don't imagine it is much different.  Princeton Airport has beginner lessons for single prop cessna for $99 for a half hour of actual flying to just try it out.  Good luck

[10X 3,301]

I don't think you'll find aircraft for $90 per hour anymore (I think the flight schools are more in the $120+ range, depending on the plane), and the instructor will be another $40-$60 or so per hour on top of the aircraft time.    Helicopter time is probably triple that--they're crazy expensive, but by all accounts a blast to fly.

 

The best advice I was given when I started out was to find a non-profit flying club that accepts student pilots, and who has instructors among their membership.   That'll save you money--but only for fixed-wing flying.  I've not heard of any helicopter clubs.

 

In theory, one can get a fixed-wing certificate in as little as 35 flight hours at some schools, but that's all but unheard of.  I think the national average is closer to 70 hours (at least 10 hours of which will be solo, so at least for that portion you aren't paying for an instructor's time).   In NY/NJ airspace, the average is likely higher still.  Best thing you can do to minimize the hours required is to save up so that you can fly a few times a week and knock the rating out as fast as you can. When you stretch the lessons out, too much time in the plane is spent re-learning what you forgot from the previous lesson.

[1LtCAP 4,264]

I was an instructor at helicopter flight services, and we had a couple of guys using their GI bill to pay for school. The thing is that you have to pay for your private pilot certificate out of pocket, and after that you get 60% reimbursement for you instrument and commercial certificate IIRC. Their phone number is (609)-265-0822. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me, and i'll answer any questions you have.

cool!!!!

 

 how long ago? i got to know doug when they were still on south jersey airport. i was in cap, flew r/c across the street, where the club used to be....and mike took me up a couple times in the choppers.

 i never met anyone there i didn't like. i don't honestly think anyone could go wrong going there for helo lessons.

[1LtCAP 4,264]

I've always wanted to learn how to fly a helicopter.

helicopters don't fly. they beat the air into submission.

[Greydaddy 2]

helicopters don't fly. they beat the air into submission.

O-----Kay!(?)

[10X 3,301]

I've heard them described as:

 

 

A swirling mass of metal fatigue

 

Surrounding an oil leak.

[Greydaddy 2]

Sounds like we have some military personnel here!

[AS350Driver 56]

cool!!!!

 

 how long ago? i got to know doug when they were still on south jersey airport. i was in cap, flew r/c across the street, where the club used to be....and mike took me up a couple times in the choppers.

 i never met anyone there i didn't like. i don't honestly think anyone could go wrong going there for helo lessons.

 

I did my flight training there starting in 2003, and then worked for Doug from 05 to late 06. Great people there and made a lot friends.

 

As far as price for flight time, I think it's running about $300 an hour including an instructor. For helicopters, expect it to take anywhere from 50-60 hours for your private. You need a minimum of 150 hours for your commercial certificate, which you would want to get your instructor cert. at the same time. Working as a flight instructor is likely to be your first job and allows you to build hours and experience, after that you could go do tours or the Gulf of Mexico and build more time.