 Do you offer financial aid?
When can I start flight training?
Can I get college credit for taking flying lessons at Guidance?
Do you have Veterans Affairs Benefits?
Does Guidance helicopters have Instrument flight training?
How do I get started?
What is the advantage of high altitude helicopter training?
How long will it take me to complete my training?
Is it difficult to fly helicopters?
How do I pick a good helicopter flight school?
Why is it better to learn in a Robinson R22 than a Schweitzer 300?
Do I have to take college classes to be a helicopter pilot?
How many hours are required to become a flight instructor?
Are there helicopter pilot jobs open right now?
What kinds of helicopter pilot jobs are available?
How much money can I make as a helicopter pilot?
Why does it cost so much per hour to rent a helicopter?
Which Veteran Benefits can I use at Guidance Helicopters, Inc.?
Will my benefits cover the entire cost of the flight training program?
Who do I contact to start using my VA Benefits?
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Q: Do you offer financial aid?
A: Yes. There are multiple methods that can be used to finance your helicopter pilot training.
Q: When can I start flight training?
A: Our Flight Cost Reduction Training starts every two months: January, March, May, July, September, and October.
Q: Can I get college credit for taking flying lessons at Guidance?
A: Yes. You may earn college credit for each certificate or rating. How much credit you earn varies by college. See
Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona, or
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. For online programs, see
Utah Valley University or
the World Wide campus of Embry-Riddle.
Q: Do you have Veterans Affairs Benefits?
A: Yes. Guidance is approved by Arizona Department of Veterans Affairs for some flight programs. Call our Director of Student Services at 1-877-2FLY-GHI to find out what is available to you.
Q: Does Guidance helicopters have Instrument flight training?
A: Yes. We fly Robinson R44 helicopters and simulators to obtain the Instrument rating. The cost of our Instrument Flight Cost Reduction Training, using R44s and simulators, is about the same as using an R22 at other flight schools.
Q: How do I get started?
A: Call our Director of Student Services at 1-877-2FLY-GHI. We'll answer any other questions and discuss methods of funding your flight training.
Q: What is the advantage of high altitude helicopter training?
A: A high altitude flight environment requires the pilot learn finer control touch and better energy management than is required at sea level. Flying at high altitude teaches you to operate the aircraft at or near its performance limitations. It's like learning to drive a Ferrari at 150 mph instead of learning in a Honda at 50 mph. Once you can drive a Ferrari fast, a Honda going slow is a piece of cake.
Q: How long will it take me to complete my training?
A: Although each person will progress at their own pace, it is possible to finish the Complete Professional Pilot Program in about 15 months.
Q: Is it difficult to fly helicopters?
A: Yes. It is much more complicated than driving a car. However, almost anyone can learn to fly a helicopter if they really want to. It takes motivation, enthusiasm, and dedication to become a professional helicopter pilot. We encourage you to take a tour of our facility and go on an introductory flight so you can decide if helicopter flying is as fun and exciting as you expect it to be. We think learning to fly a helicopter will become your greatest challenge and have the greatest rewards of any other career choice. Schedule a tour and intro flight.
Q: How do I pick a good helicopter flight school?
A: Do your research. There are many factors to review before you pick a flight school. Is it a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved pilot school? How long has the school been in business? How many graduates get jobs? Is the company more worried about making money than it is giving quality flight training to the students?
Q: Why is it better to learn in a Robinson R22 than a Schweitzer 300?
A: Approximately 85% of flight schools fly Robinson R22 helicopters. You can't get a job flight instructing in Robinson R22s without a lot of Robinson R22 flying time. Learning to fly in a Schweitzer would effectively eliminate 85% of the places you could apply for that first job as a flight instructor. Also, the Robinson R22 is more challenging to fly since it is more maneuverable. Once you learn to fly an R22, all other helicopters are relatively easy to fly.
Q: Do I have to take college classes to be a helicopter pilot?
A: No. Most jobs as helicopter pilots don’t require any college at all. If you do want to take college classes or earn a degree, Guidance Helicopters flight training can count for college credit in programs here in Prescott, Arizona and towards online degrees. On campus programs are available in Prescott from Yavapai College, or Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. You can earn an online degree from Utah Valley University or from the World Wide campus of Embry-Riddle.
Q: How many hours are required to become a flight instructor?
A: 200 hours is the minimum requirement to flight instruct in Robinson helicopters. Our Complete Professional Pilot Program will ensure you meet this requirement.
Q: Are there helicopter pilot jobs open right now?
A: Yes. The helicopter industry is currently experiencing a shortage of qualified helicopter pilots. Unlike the airlines which are negatively impacted during a recession, most helicopter flying still needs to be accomplished. For instance, helicopter logging keeps going strong as wood and paper prices go up, news gathering helicopters still fly for TV stations, and of course, flying out to off-shore oil rigs is still a high priority.
Q: What kinds of helicopter pilot jobs are available?
A: Flight instruction, electronic news gathering, logging, search and rescue, sight-seeing tours, agricultural spraying, air ambulance, heavy lift, and corporate flying are examples of the type of jobs available to helicopter pilots.
Q: How much money can I make as a helicopter pilot?
A: It varies based on the job and your location. Currently, full-time helicopter pilots make approximately $40,000 to $100,000 per year. Management pilot positions are in the $80,000 to $120,000 range and higher. Many companies provide generous benefit packages. Salaries are increasing as the demand for pilots increase.
Q: Why does it cost so much per hour to rent a helicopter?
A: Helicopters require intensive maintenance, have high purchase costs, and have high insurance premiums. The good news is that since helicopters cost so much to operate, professional helicopter pilots are well paid.
Q: Which Veteran Benefits can I use at Guidance Helicopters, Inc.?
A: Guidance Helicopters Inc. is approved by the Arizona State Approving agency for the training of Veterans with Veterans Benefits for Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill. In partnership with Yavapai Community College, we are approved for Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact our VA Department at vadepartment@guidancehelicopter.com or call us for more details.
Q: Will my benefits cover the entire cost of the flight training program?
A: Yes, if a veteran qualifies for 100% of the Post 9/11 Benefit, the cost of the entire program will be covered.
Q: Who do I contact to start using my VA Benefits?
A: To register for your Post 9/11 GI Bill go to http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp. If you are planning on using Chapter 30: Montgomery GI Bill, please contact Curt Marshall in Student Services/ VA Department, for more information. It takes 4 to 6 weeks for the VA to process an application and register a veteran for their potential benefits.
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