Helicopter Association International (HAI) this week launched a new initiative to help member operators to keep current their pilots’ training, testing, qualifications, certifications, and compliance requirements. Under the new HAI Flight Training and Checking Program, Helicopter Institute in Fort Worth, Texas, can manage all or some of those requirements for the operator.
The new program, announced this week at Heli-Expo 2023, meets FAA OpSpec A031 requirements for third-party contract training and checking. At discounted rates for HAI members, Helicopter Institute will oversee all training and evaluations, including scheduling, tracking, and verifying pilot proficiency and competency. The company offers flight and ground instruction and can send designated pilot examiners to visit customer bases for FAA Part 61 and Part 141 check rides.
“The program is customizable across multiple pilots, aircraft types, and missions. One contract covers all,” said Helicopter Institute owner Randy Rowles. “Because it is approved and accepted by insurance underwriters, we can streamline flight training, checking, and an annual insurance review into one event, reducing the time operators spend on compliance.”
Training available for Part 91 and Part 135 operators covers the Bell 206 family; Bell 407 variants; Bell 505 JetRanger X; Airbus AS350/H125 models; MD Helicopters MD500 series; and Robinson R44.
