RWS 10 – Owning a Helicopter School with Heather Howley

Heather Howley Independent helicopters new york
Heather Howley is the owner and Chief Pilot of Independent Helicopters

For most young helicopter pilots opening your own helicopter training school is probably not high on your list of things to do.

But this is exactly what Heather Howley, this week’s guest on the show, did when she was left in the lurch with a helicopter lease contract to cover.

Heather is the owner and chief pilot of Independent Helicopters based out of Saratoga County Airport, New York.

The company offers helicopter training in R22s and R44s supplemented by a ground based simulator. Like most school charter and airwork ops on the side keep life interesting and the machines busy.

You’ll quickly pick up Heather’s passion and love of flying in the interview. Its hard to imagine her doing anything else for many years to come.

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01:14 Chinook webinar
01:50 Sponsors trainmorepilots.com
02:27 Heather Howley
03:28 School, working with animals and travel
05:10 Ground school and mentor
05:45 Silver State Helicopters + student loans
06:50 Training as a flight instructor
07:30 Taking Mum for a helicopter flight
08:45 Working as an instructor
10:40 Starting own helicopter company
15:13 Balancing hats – company owner, instructor, chief pilot
16:50 Business awards
18:25 What looking for when hiring pilots
19:38 Trends in the US training industry
21:15 Helicopter training rate
22:05 Veterans program
23:50 Common student challenges
26:12 Local terrain, landmarks, airspace around New York
29:44 Pilots groups and organisations, Girls with Wings
31:58 Mentoring others
33:00 Things I wish I need earlier
34:37 Scariest moments with students
36:58 Tips on getting first helicopter job
37:45 Recommended books
39:05 Lucy the flying dog
41:15 Subscribe on iTunes
41:30 Pilot recruiting interview – send in your questions to [email protected]

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Links from this week’s episode:
Independant Helicopters
Girls with Wings 
Women in Aviation

 

Finding a park out in the training area
Finding a park out in the training area

 

Some of the local scenery - a big park!
Some of the local scenery – a big park!

As usual, please feel free to continue the conversation in the comments.

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