HELICOPTER PILOT TRAINING
Helicopter Pilot Training School
You can now realize your dream of being a helicopter pilot at our helicopter flight school. Whether you’re interested in emergency medical services (EMS), firefighting, external load operations, tour operations or private flight, Hillsboro Aero Academy will set you on the path to success.
Our helicopter flight school has been training helicopter pilots since 1980 and Hillsboro graduates fly for companies all over the world. International students from over 75 countries have trained here and U.S. military veterans can use their GI Bill® benefits for our training programs. We are also an accredited institution which means our school is held to a higher standard by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), a U.S. Department of Education recognized accreditor. Learn more about Hillsboro Aero Academy’s accredited school, Airman’s Proficiency Center, by visiting www.airmansproficiencycenter.com.
Safety is a huge priority for us and our FAA-approved repair station keeps every aircraft reliable and safe. We’re an FAA-approved flight training school that conducts training under Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 61 and FAR Part 141.
A wide array of challenging flight environments, our commitment to safety and our years of experience will prep you to pilot helicopters in numerous types of operations.
Are you ready to fly?
Where did you go to flight school? I’m asked that question a lot and can answer with confidence and pride that I went to Hillsboro. The high standard of instruction at Hillsboro is well known and respected in the aviation industry.
Jon Sevy, S-92 Captain for PHI
Hillsboro's partnership with Portland Community College made it possible for Jon to work on his pilot certificates and college degree at the same time.
A structured, professional training program is the foundation for your entire career as a pilot, and Hillsboro helped me build that strong foundation.
Daniel Aufdenblatten, Pilot for Air Zermatt
The training Daniel received at Hillsboro helped prepare him to perform one of the world’s highest altitude long-line rescues. In 2010, Daniel piloted the helicopter that rescued three climbers from Nepal’s Mount Annapurna at an elevation of 23,000 feet.
Why Hillsboro Aero Academy?
Helicopter Flight Environments
With campuses near major cities, the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Range, you get to train in challenging flight environments that you’ll encounter in real world operations.
Many other helicopter training schools promise sunny days and clear skies, which make it easier to fly, but leave you without valuable experience. The widely varied conditions of the Pacific Northwest prep you for almost every kind of weather you will experience as a commercial pilot.
When you learn to fly here, you can fly anywhere.
Helicopter Fleet & Simulators
We have over 20 training helicopters—including the Robinson R22 and Robinson R44. One of the first steps in a pilot’s career is becoming a flight instructor and you need at least 50 flight hours in the Robinson R22 and 200 hours in helicopters to get hired here.
On top of the one-on-one ground and flight training you get from our instructors, we also use the latest in flight simulator technology to give you a well-rounded set of skills.
Helicopter Safety
Students get the opportunity to learn about safety in one-on-one situations with their instructors, meaning you won’t get lost in the group and can set your own pace to make sure your learning is complete and thorough.
Hillsboro is proud of our IS-BAO accreditation—the first Part 141 primary flight school (academy) to receive this accreditation. Developed by the International Business Aviation Council, the IS-BAO program is an internationally recognized set of safety standards for business aviation.
Our full-time Director of Safety is responsible for ensuring consistent management of our Safety Management System and mitigation of risk to ensure your safety.