HAI Launches Flight Training and Checking Program

Helicopter Association International (HAI) has partnered with Helicopter Institute of Fort Worth, Texas, to make it easier for members to keep their aircrews’ training, testing, qualifications, certifications, and compliance up to date. With the new HAI Flight Training and Checking Program, members can choose to have Helicopter Institute manage all aspects or one part as needed.

The HAI member-exclusive program includes a special member discount and meets FAA OpSpec A031 requirements for third-party contract training and checking. Helicopter Institute’s experts are able to oversee all training and evaluations, including scheduling, tracking, and verifying pilot proficiency and competency. Helicopter Institute also offers flight and ground instruction as well as traveling designated pilot examiners (DPEs) for FAA-accepted Part 61 and Part 141 checkrides.

“We make it as easy as possible. The program is customizable across multiple pilots, aircraft types, and missions. One contract covers everything,” says Randy Rowles, owner of Helicopter Institute and member of the HAI Board of Directors. “Because it’s approved and accepted by insurance underwriters, we can streamline flight training, checking, and an annual insurance review into one event, dramatically reducing the time operators spend on compliance.”

Training and testing services are available at the member’s location or at Helicopter Institute’s training center in Texas. HAI members also have access to Helicopter Institute’s rotorcraft fleet for training and checkrides.

Helicopter Institute is able to meet Part 135 and Part 91 training needs for the following make/model series: Bell 206 family, including the JetRanger and LongRanger; Bell 407 family, including the GX, GXP, GXi, GT, and HP versions; Bell 505 Jet Ranger X; Airbus AS350/H125; MD Helicopters MD500 series; and the Robinson R44, with more to come.

“With the new HAI Flight Training and Checking Program, members can keep their aircrews flying. They will not be grounded waiting for a checkride or because a pilot does not have the proper type rating or missed recurrent training,” says James Viola, president and CEO of HAI. “It really is a fast pass through all things training and checking.”