Complete Helicopters can teach almost anyone to fly in as little as 40 to 50 hours. Applicants must be 16 to solo an aircraft and 17 to earn a private pilot's license. Although the certified flight instructors pride themselves on making learning to fly fun, they always emphasize safety first. Careful attention is paid to maintenance, and proper pre-flight and strict operational procedures are stressed. The office of Complete Helicopters is in Blaine and its is located in South St. Paul.
Located at Flying Cloud Municipal Airport near downtown Minneapolis, Hummingbird Aviation has full-time flight instructors and is open seven days a week. HA offers private pilot, commercial pilot, instrument pilot, instructor pilot and instrument instructor pilot helicopter ratings. For training, flight instructors use the R44 Raven II 9-hole instrument trainer and the FlyIt helicopter flight simulator. HA also offers FAA-certified private pilot Part 141 helicopter ground instruction. HA prides itself on its friendly flight instructors and the quality of its training programs.
With more than 20 years of experience, Minnesota Helicopters, Inc., located in Blaine, offers comprehensive helicopter training. The company tailors its training program to the individual's needs and schedule and emphasizes safety above any other consideration. The certified flight instructors use R22 and R44 training aircraft to teach future fliers, from their first lesson to advanced instrument training.
Northern Helicopters, located at the Chisholm-Hibbing Airport in Hibbing is the only helicopter training facility in northern Minnesota. It offers a comprehensive training school and degree program using Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters. The school also offers training in the Bell 206 (Private-CFII) including Turbine Transition, Long Line, and Bambi and Seeding Bucket. Additionally, the school has fixed wing instruction in a Cessna 172, Cessna 185 on floats, and Light Sport Instruction (LSA) with the new ZLIN Savages, which have either conventional gear or floats. With its woodlands and water-filled iron ore pits, northern Minnesota is a beautiful place to learn to fly a helicopter.