L.A. Flight Schools/Tours?

[PITCH LINK]

Hi all

Can any one point me in the right direction for a good flight training school or tour operator in Los Angeles primarly with H269 or MD500 for some fun flying whilst on vacation?

I have a UK license but not FAA and would just like some stick time instead of a jolly with no duals.

Many thanks if you can help.:ok:

[chester2005]

I can't help with the H269 or MD500 but i can heartily recommend
LA Helicopters based at Long Beach they run R22s and R44s i'm sure they will help you out with any tours you fancy , i can personally recomend a trip to Catalina Island to try their Buffalo burgers.

Chief pilots are Guillaume and Andre either of them will help you and are both top blokes.

Chester:ok:

[rotor67]

Try Group 3 Aviation at Van Nuys airport, they fly 22's, 300CB, and 44's. Peter or Claudia can help you out. Also Twin Air too, but they fly 22's, and 44's.

Rob

[Trans Lift]

SRT Helicopters would be another option. They are in Bakersfield, about an hour and half north of LA. They operate 300C aircraft. Nice and close to the mountains too. give them a call, you can get check them out at www.srthelo.com (http://www.srthelo.com) :ok:

[PITCH LINK]

Thanks for the feed back so far, much appreciated.

Does anyone know of any turbines out there? Not to be judge mental of the 22 or 44 but i would rather be flying a turbine or maybe an Enstrom.
Past experience of Robbinson has not been good!

I dont mind travelling further afield.

Thanks again...

[DynamicallyUnstable]

You will not find better training IMO than with Chin at Civic Helicopters in Carlsbad. He has a JetRanger for a turbine and r22's, r44, AND S300c (h269).
Amazing pilot, used to be a test pilot for MD.

Carlsbad is about an hour to 45 min from LA driving and about a 40 min flight down the coast IIRC. He specializes in emergency procedures and will teach you a LOT. Great guy. :ok:

Civic Helicopters (http://www.civichelicopters.com)

[perfrej]

Yes, I second the Civic proposal. I have, on numerous occasions, visited them and flown their MD500D with a four bladed tail (N268ST). Chin is one of the best!

Per: So, how is the a Apache to fly?
Chin: Oh, it's great - like a big 500!

/per

[vaqueroaero]

268ST was destroyed in a wire strike accident a few years ago on Catalina Island.

To the best of my knowledge he hasn't replaced it.

[DynamicallyUnstable]

That is correct, the 500 is gone for the time being.

BTW, for the record, Chin was not responsible for the wire strike NOR was he in it when it happened.

[perfrej]

What a shame. One of the smoothest 500s I have ever flown in. Perfect track and balance, and I do love that silent tail option (in some respects quieter than the 520).

/p

[baobab72]

Hi folks
I will be in los angeles in august for a couple of weeks and i would love to take advantage of this opportunity to take a few flight lessons, maybe have a go at hovering!!
I have a couple of hrs of dual in the robby plus a bunch of pic jet and i am planning to get my rotorcraft add on!!
And i have start somewhere!

Any advice about any school in the area? Possibly not too far from santa monica?

Tks

Baobab72

[strey]

Did some hours at Advanced Flight during my Robinson Safety Course. They only had an R44 when i was there, but if the money isn't an issue i would recommend it. They are located at Torrance Municipal Airport.

Their web page: Los Angeles Helicopter Training and Advanced Instruction ~ Los Angeles Helicopter Tours (310) 908-8812 ~ California Aerial Photography ~ USA ~ California (http://www.helicopter-training-tours.com/index.html)

[HeliStudent]

Quantum Helicopters (http://www.quantumhelicopters.com/index.asp)

Los Angeles Helicopters (http://www.lahelicopters.com/)

Star Helicopters Santa Monica (http://www.star-helicopters.com/training_introflight.html)

[Gordy]

Errrr. Quantum is in Chandler Arizona----tis a ways away.

90% of the private jets going to or from the LA basin use Van Nuys airport, VNY. There are two schools there:

Group 3 aviation (http://group3aviation.com/)

Elite Helicopters (http://www.elitehelicoptertours.com/los-angeles-helicopter-training/)

I know staff at both schools and either one will treat you right.

The airport is home to Helinet which provides many of the news helicopters, Clay Lacy Aviation, (needs no introduction) and Rotorcraft Support, one of the largest MX facilities in the LA basin. There is also Guardian Helicopters right there too who do fire.