 We know how difficult it is to start something new especially at the high cost of flight training (we have been there). The increasing demand for helicopter pilots presents an excellent and interesting opportunity for individuals who may feel that the usual educational paths are not for them or for someone looking for a second or even third career. Why not invest in an education and a skill set that will not only earn you a living but provide you with unique experiences? My husband and I have been instructing in the Arlington area since 2005. We have helped train over 30 pilots all of who enjoy an exciting and comfortable lifestyle flying for various companies throughout the United States.
We do most of our training at Arlington Municipal Airport. This airport is a well suited training environment; it has four runways that correlate to prevailing wind patterns, well maintained surfaces for safe landing procedures, a variety of terrain and slopes at and near the airport for off airport landings and is centrally located to other nearby airports. The beginning student does not spend valuable training time flying to a suitable training area or airport. The close proximity to the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound means the student is not only exposed to challenging terrain but diverse weather as well. This sets the student up for real world decision making and the practicality of learning how to fly in the mountains as well as at sea level as opposed to other schools where the highest point in the state is 300 feet above sea level. The real world experience gained at Ridgeline Helicopters gives the student an edge when faced with the same challenges during their first job after training.
We train in Robinson helicopters, which are the preferred training helicopter in the industry. Over 80% of the flight schools in the U.S. utilize the Robinson R-22 and R-44. This sets up our students for a high success rate when we help them with job placement.
Although Ridgeline Helicopters is a newer flight academy our instructors are not new to flight instruction. Our instructors have over 3000 hours instructing in cockpit, with one on one ground and in the classroom. Ridgeline instructors have friends and contacts throughout the industry, many of whom we instructed as students. These friends and contacts have careers flying tours, in the Gulf and fighting fires in everything from Bells and A-Stars to big ships like the Skycrane. We want to make training exciting and fun because we believe that there is no better job in the world than to fly helicopters. Ridgeline’s job isn’t to just give you the flight training and then send you out the door on your way but to give you the most practical and real world training so that we can help you get a job. Our network of contacts helps us place our students in the helicopter industry.
The full program is designed to get you from zero to Certified Flight Instructor with an instrument rating by 200 hours. This usually takes between 12 to 24 months depending on individual commitment. The 200 hour mark is not random but specific to the FAA and Robinson Helicopters.
Lastly, our instructors’ number one concern is your safety, your training and getting you through the program in the fewest hours possible as set forth by the FAA. With our system of checks and balances each student’s progress through the program is followed very closely.
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