Introductory/Discovery flights - $150 - You take the controls!

Taking an introductory flight is an incredible experience. We want you to get the feeling for how exciting being a helicopter pilot is and to get a good sense of the challenge that is in store. One of Alamo Helicopter's Certified Flight Instructors will go over how the helicopter works and how to control it. Then you and the Flight Instructor will take off. Over the course of the next half hour you will experience takeoffs, straight and level flight, hovering,landing and an amazing view. Not only will you land with a much more clear concept of what it means to be fly helicopters but will have flown one! We are available 7 days a week to take you for your first flight.

How to get started...
Come and take an Introductory flight and see what becoming a pilot is all about.

Next you will need to obtain a FAA Medical Certificate. We will refer you to an FAA Approved Medical Examiner in your area. Some of the areas they will test are: checking that your vision is correctable to 20/20, that you have good hearing and that you have no medical problems that would hinder your ability to safely pilot an aircraft. If you have specific questions or concerns feel free to contact us.

We are available to help you in arranging financing in order to help cover the cost of flight training. Most lending programs require that students have a cosigner for loan applications, decent credit standing, and 2 years of work history. We will help you walk through the lending process as well as offer you the opportunity to take advantage of Federal Financial Aid.

What kind of jobs are available for helicopter pilots?

Career Options -
Tours, Air Ambulance (EMS), Electronic News Gathering ( ENG), Agricultural, Search and Rescue, Fire Fighting, Wildlife and Game Counting and Capture, Aerial Photography, Heli Skiing, Corporate Charter, Off Shore Oil Support, Movies and Television, Seismic Oil Exploration, Logging, etc

Why Choose Alamo?
Our Pilots- At Alamo, your Flight Instructors are employed by numerous commercial helicopter companies including US Helicopters Incorporated, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, PHI and Air Logistics. This means that you are being trained by pilots who have been through intensive training and have flown with some of the industries best pilots. They then bring that experience and knowledge back to you.

Alamo Flight Training Cost

Location -
San Antonio has been a hub for military flight training for the last 50 years. We feel if San Antonio helps best prepares the pilots of the United States Military, it is perfect for us. The weather here is mild and allows us to train year round.

Airspace -
Our school is located at Stinson Airport which is in Class D Airspace ( operating control tower). 5 miles to the south is another training area with an uncontrolled airport for training at non towered airspace and The San Antonio International Airport is within 10 miles to the North for more intense training in radio procedures. The benefits of training in mulitple different airspaces in close proximity, give Alamo graduates an advantage in gaining future employment.

Our Aircraft -
With growing usage within the US, we feel the Robinson is one of the best aircraft for helicopter pilot training. In 2008 alone, the R22 and R44 outsold there nearest competitor 13 to 1 with over 749 aircraft sold. Robinson aircraft are versatile and are used in many facets of this industry. Robinson pilots are more prepared, better trained and have more job options than other pilots. Robinson pilots that transition into larger, turbine aircraft understand their incredible control and precision. They gain a clear understanding of power management and truly capture the feel of the helicopter. http://www.robinsonhelicopter.com      R22 Specifications PDF

Alamo pilots have a wealth of real-world experience to help you learn faster.

Randy Riggs

With over 35 years as a career helicopter pilot, I have been involved in an exciting industry and I can honestly say I loved every minute of it. In that time I have been checked out in over 10 different types of helicopters and logged over 14,000 flight hours. With 10 years in corporate charter, 9 years in the tour business, 4 years as chief pilot for County flying EMS, Search and Rescue and fire fighting, 6 years flying offshore oil support and 5 years wildlife management in the Florida Everglades plus additional stints flying aerial photography and flight instruction, I feel that I can help younger pilots learn from my experience.

Ian Matthews
Before becoming a helicopter pilot, I was a construction worker. Starting in December of 2006, I began 10 months of training becoming a Certified Flight Instructor on Sept. 2006, In April 2007 was promoted to Assistant Chief Pilot. One year later I received a job offer from Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters flying tours in a Bell 206 Long Ranger. After completing my first season, I was asked to become a full time employee. I will begin training in an EC-130 this winter and next spring I will also work in the training department getting the 2009 seasonal pilots ready.

" My inspiration to become a pilot was my grandfather. He began taking me on flights when I was eight years old and would teach me the importance of hard work and education. Since that time I always respected pilots for their dedication and accomplishments. To be able to operate with that kind of freedom and responsibility was always impressive to me. I never lost the desire to be a pilot, but never thought I had the opportunity. It wasn't until I heard an advertisment for a local flight school that I realized my dreams could become reality and from my first flight in a helicopter I totally devoted myself to excellance in the air."

"I like to see progress in my students and to this day find teaching very rewarding."

Scott Elliott
Attended a flight academy from Dec. 05 to Sept. 07. After graduation, I began working for a small flight school, and providing contract pilot services. This afforded me an opportunity to fly actual commercial missions including agricultural contracts, and photo flights in the south Texas area while building hours.

Shortly after graduation, I started flying with Alamo Helicopter Tours giving tours of San Antonio. From mentors, I learned early on that the helicopter community is small and that reputation and skill are needed to build strong associations for future advancement. Through these associations and hard work I was able to apply for and become the pilot of Sky 4 here in San Antonio. I now fly a Bell Jet Ranger for News 4 full time while being able to fly charter missions, tours and instruct on my off time.

"My inspiration to fly was the military and my family who have served in the military. I grew up around military people and military equipment. I was always in awe of military pilots and especially helicopters. I was fortunate for a brief time as a teenager to be in the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet but never dreamed I would have the opportunity to fly myself; I had just hoped to be able to ride. If you have a desire or every dreamed of flying don't miss your opportunity. Try it just once and you'll be hooked."

About San Antonio -
San Antonio is a great place to live and train. Bad weather days are almost unheard of. Affordable living, great food and entertainment choices but best of all are the friendly people. Link to www.visitsanantonio.com.