It is our first priority to satisfy the needs and desires of our students, but it is also very important for us to inform our students that completing a PPL or CPL certification is a lot of work as well.

There is theoretical knowledge you will have to learn as well as a lot of practical training in the helicopter. There will also be a variety of techniques in flying, which will be trained over and over, so at the end of the course, the major manoeuvres will be automatic.

Next to the training to become a commercial helicopter pilot, we also offer the training for the flight instructor rating. Due to this factor, you are able to work as flight instructor and collect the hours, which you will need, if you want to apply for any pilot job later. (Most companies want you to have about 1000 hrs experience!).

If you are a European citizen, we have very good contacts and possibilities to help you, to receive a JAR license from your US FAA License. Due to the much less expensive maintenance costs for helicopters in the US (very many helicopters are produced in the USA) and the cheaper costs for fuel, the total costs for your training will be much lower than if you would go for your complete training in Europe. If you are a European citizen and you receive the proper Working Visum for the US, you will also have the possibility to work as a flight instructor and collect the important experience. This is almost impossible in Europe!

One of the most important abilities for pilots is to be able to speak and understand the English language. The communication between pilots and the controller is the major factor in flight safety. On your check ride and for your radio telephony license, this ability will be tested. If you English is not good enough, there is the possibility to attend an English course in San Luis Obispo. Most parts of your ground school time and flight training will be held in English anyway, but don't hesitate; if you don't understand or if you feel unsure about something, go ahead and ask us for a detailed explanation.

One of the last things you have to know, before you start your flight training, is that you will have to be medically qualified for the course and for your license. If you come from Europe, it is best to look for a doctor specialised in aviation medical examination. If you want to become a commercial pilot apply for a medical class 1. If you want to become a private pilot, apply for the medical class 2. Still you will have to receive the US medical certificate as well, but if you received the European medical, it will be no problem to receive the US medical as well.

In order to start to CPL training, you have to be at least 18 years old. To start a private license, the minimum age is 17 years.


Former students:

If you are interested in a course with helipro, you can also contact former students, who have completed
their training with helipro and work in Europe now

In Switzerland:
Fässler Christoph, commercial pilot and flight instructor, Tel. 071/787 4095
Koller Manuel, commercial pilot and flight instructor, Tel. 071/7991790
Forrer Jürg, commercial pilot and flight instructor, Tel. 079/2195807

In Germany:
Schmid Bernhard, commercial pilot and flight instructor, Tel. 08821/81882
Kerner Cornelius, commercial pilot and flight instructor, Tel. 07121/579232

In Austria:
Dejakom Philipp, commercial pilot and flight instructor, Tel. 0664/8253924
Hohenberger Peter, commercial pilot and flight instructor, Tel. 0664/2009300
Gmeiner Peter, commercial pilot and flight instructor, Tel. 0316/832642
Bachmann Helmut, commercial pilot and flight instructor, Tel. 04846/6613


Which school is the right one

No school is like the other. Every school is different and has a different focus for their training. Therefore it is not easy to decide, which school to attend.

Reasons for your training with HELIPRO:

- This school was founded and is lead by Peter Stähli, who is a commercial pilot and flight instructor.
After your training in the USA, you have the possibility to receive the mountain training in Switzerland
and receive the Swiss helicopter license with Peter.
- Your training will be very personal and practical orientated. The aim for helipro is to give everybody the best possible education, which will be the milestone for your further career as pilot. We are working with several companie, which are always interested in interviewing new pilots who have done their training.