Operating out of Ellington, Connecticut, since 1974, Northeast Helicopters is in the business of licensing private and commercial pilots as well as flight instructors and training both in instrument ratings. Courses are all taught by past graduates. These programs can be taken individually or combined into one extended program called Pro-Trac. Pro-Trac offers all the minimum licensing requirements to become a professional helicopter pilot, but there are optional courses that can be taken, as well. These include an airline transport program for those pilots interested in becoming a private corporate pilot.
The Bristow Academy is an accredited flight school with locations in New Iberia, Louisiana; Concord, California; Gloucester, United Kingdom; and Titusville, Florida. Its programs are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and the European Joint Aviation Authorities. All training courses employ the use of Schweiser CB/CBi helicopter. Robinson R-22 and Bell 206B JetRanger models also are used, albeit more sparingly. Programs offered by the academy include private and commercial licensing programs, instrument rating programs, flight instruction courses and a mountain flying program.
The FAA-approved Universal Helicopters school offers all the traditional training in private and commercial licensing, instrument rating and flight instruction. It also offers courses in high-altitude training and autorotation with full touchdown, courses available to previously licensed pilots. The school has been offering these courses since 2000 in Arizona, Kansas and Utah. The school's fleet is available to students as well as to pilots looking to rent out craft for leisure purposes and it includes Robinson R-22 and R-44 model helicopters.
Mauna Loa Helicopters has been operating out of Hawaii since 1992. Compared to flight schools in other parts of the world, it has more flyable days per year because of Hawaii's weather. Its fleet is made up of 15 helicopters, a mix of Robinson R-22 and R-44 models. In addition to private pilot, commercial pilot, instrument rating and flight instructor courses, the school also offers courses in offshore piloting, mountain flying, airline transport and high-altitude training. The newest program trains pilots in flying with night-vision goggles.