Helicopter ACS replaces PTS Starting in May 2024, the new Helicopter Airman Certification Standards or ACS will replace the PTS or Practical Test Standards for evaluating pilots during practical tests.   The following are the new Airman Certification Standards for Helicopter Pilots.  Private Pilot Helicopter Airman Certification Standards FAA-S-ACS-15 Instrument Rating Helicopter Airman Certification-Standards FAA-S-ACS-14 Commercial Pilot Helicopter Airman Certification Standards FAA-S-ACS-16 Flight Instructor Helicopter Airman Certification Standards FAA-S-ACS-29 ..read more

For the second year in a row, ETL Aviation received the Distinguished Flight School award from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).  AOPA is the world’s largest aviation association and conducted a Flight Training Experience Survey of over 800 flight schools. ETL Aviation was one of a few flight schools to receive the Distinguished Flight School award. The Flight Training Experience Survey was created to highlight the best flight training the industry has to offer. “Successful flight training is about more than just learning to fly. Building a sense of community to suppor ..read more

The IFR Study Guide is a primary resource for airplane and helicopter pilots to prepare for their instrument checkride. The IFR Study Guide was written by ETL Aviation’s Chief Instructor, Brad Fenster. The guide was written to fill a void where training material only focused on airplanes, and did not give information IFR flying for helicopters. Like Brad’s other helicopter book, The Helicopter Study Guide,  The IFR Study Guide uses a Question and Answer format, with references to FAA material for more information.   Purchase on Amazon The post IFR Study Guide appeared first on ..read more

ETL Aviation received the Distinguished Flight School aware from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). AOPA is the world’s largest aviation association and conducted a Flight Training Experience Survey of over 600 flight schools. ETL Aviation was one of a few flight schools to receive the Distinguished Flight School award. The Flight Training Experience Survey was created to highlight the best flight training the industry has to offer. “Successful flight training is about more than just learning to fly. Building a sense of community to support the people who are learning takes th ..read more

FAA issues legal interpretation that clarifies that instrument training for commercial rating must be completed in a helicopter or helicopter simulator. 14 CFR 61.129(c)(3)(i) requires a person applying for a commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating to, in part, obtain at least five hours of training “on the control and maneuvering of a helicopter.  Although the regulation states that this training “may be performed in an aircraft, full flight simulator, flight training device, or an aviation training device.”  This legal interpretation cl ..read more

In December 2022, the FAA publishes Aviation Weather Handbook FAA-H-8083-28. This handbook replaces several weather-related advisory circulars. The following advisory circulars are being replaced and will eventually be cancelled. AC 00-6 Aviation Weather AC 00-24 Thunderstorms. AC 00-30 Clear Air Turbulence Avoidance AC 00-45 Aviation Weather Services AC 00-54 Pilot Windshear Guide AC 00-57 Hazardous Mountain Winds This handbook conforms to pilot weather training and certification concepts established by the FAA. The discussion and explanations reflect the most commonly used weather products ..read more

FAA Updates the Helicopter Flying Handbook The Helicopter Flying Handbook is designed as a technical manual for applicants who are preparing for their private, commercial, or flight instructor pilot certificates with a helicopter class rating. Certificated flight instructors may find this handbook a valuable training aid, since detailed coverage of aerodynamics, flight controls, systems, performance, flight maneuvers, emergencies, and aeronautical decision-making is included. Topics such as weather, navigation, radio navigation and communications, use of flight information publications, and ..read more

Paying for Helicopter Flight Training AT ETL Aviation, we understand that flight training is expensive.  Learning to fly helicopters is a commitment in time and money, but it is extremely rewarding.  Obtaining a pilot rating is a major achievement for most people.  As the old joke goes, “How do you know who in the room is a helicopter pilot?  Don’t worry, they will tell you.”  We want to make the dream of flight a reality for everyone.  Paying for helicopter flight training is often a student’s biggest hurdle.  As such, we have listed some options for fundin ..read more

ETL Aviation’s New Helicopter Tug ETL Aviation acquired a tug to tow the training helicopter, a Schweizer 300CB, to and from the hangar at Blue Grass Airport.  The tug required a little bit of work to get is fully functioning.  Below are a few pictures of the progress from delivery, to paining, to actual use with the helicopter.   The new tug makes it easier for us to get the helicopter out of the hangar and on the flight line ready for flight training.   At the time of this writing, we have not given the tug a name, but are considering many options.  ..read more

ETL Aviation Purchases Schweizer 300CB helicopter ETL Aviation purchased a Schweizer 300CB helicopter to use for flight training.  The Schweizer is an excellent platform for helicopter training.  The  300CB model helicopter was originated from the the Hughes TH-55. The TH-55 was used as the primary training helicopter for the Army from 1969-1988. Learn more about the Schweizer 300CB Helicopter.   “We really like the safety of the Schweizer 300 platform, and how easy it is to teach new students. We use the 300CB for all of our helicopter flight training program at ETL ..read more