Alamo Flight Academy

Helicopter Flight Training – San Antonio

Pay As You Go:

We offer a pay as you go pilot program if you are just interested in obtaining helicopter training.

Start Now with an Introductory Flight:

We offer discovery flights to find out if this is something you would love doing or as a gift for someone who has always wanted to fly a helicopter. Price includes ground school time and actual airtime in Helicopter with you taking 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 Flight Academy’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 an 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.

Do you have a drone and would like to get qualified to fly it for profit?

The proper qualifications are required to fly your drone for profit with the Part 107!  Alamo Helicopters is your one stop shop to get your qualifications squared away.

Why do I need a Part 107 Exemption?

Under the law, any drone pilot operating an unmanned aircraft (UAS) controlled from the ground for income or profit should have a drone pilot’s certificate, a certificated and registered aircraft, and an operational approval by the FAA. This includes the need for all commercial drone pilots to secure a Part 107 Exemption.

Unsure if Part 107 rules work for you and your intended operation?

What are the requirements? (FAA.gov)

To become a pilot you must:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English (exceptions may be made if the person is unable to meet one of these requirements for a medical reason, such as hearing impairment)
• Be in a physical and mental condition to safely operate a small UAS
• Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge exam at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center

Pilot certificate Requirements

• Must be easily accessible by the remote pilot during all UAS operations
• Valid for 2 years – certificate holders must pass a recurrent knowledge test every two years

Application Process

1. Schedule an appointment with a Knowledge Testing Center (KTC), which administer initial and recurrent FAA knowledge exams
   1. View the list of Knowledge Testing Centers (PDF) to find one near you.
   2. Applicants must bring government-issued photo ID to their test
2. Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge test – initial knowledge test areas include:
   1. Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operation
   2. Airspace classification and operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting small unmanned aircraft operation
   3. Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performance
   4. Small unmanned aircraft loading and performance
   5. Emergency procedures
   6. Crew resource management
   7. Radio communication procedures
   8. Determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft
   9. Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol
   10. Aeronautical decision-making and judgment
   11. Airport operations
   12. Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures