Mountain Flight Training is one form of advanced pilot training that teaches the candidate how to deal with additional challenges and how to properly react to unusual situations, unique to high density altitude operations, reduced performances and increased limitations.

HeliTahoe is proud to offer this training. In a world where competition is very aggressive, it is always advisable to attain an edge and this includes enhanced training. Flying in the mountains, and we don’t mean “flying over the mountains” like airliners do, but instead initiating, conducting and terminating the flight from a mountainous environment, entails an entirely new concept of power management, reduced performances, limited access to suitable landing sites in case of engine failure and more. 

What is Mountain Flight Training and Who Needs it:

When you fly in the mountains, the pilot is the only one on board that does not have the chance to enjoy the panoramic views.   Mountain flying requires an unusual amount of attention, higher instrument scanning rate, an acute situational and positional awareness, not to mention the somewhat hostile wind conditions, wind shear, micro bursts, and ultimately, very specific and unique weather patterns . 

At Helitahoe, we are not going to claim that taking our courses will make you and expert Mountain and high density altitude pilot, which everyone knows, requires years of experience and constant exposure.

This course does not apply to only new students, but instead represents an invaluable asset for pilots with a commercial license. Mountain Flight Training is not a FAA requirement; it is an often highly desirable addition and a great tool to further improve the pilot‘s flying skills and power management concepts.

Today’s employers have high regard to pilots with mountain flight experience, giving them an extra amount of attention and consideration, when they look at their resumes.

Which Pilot Occupations Need Mountain Flight Training:

The pilot’s who would benefit most from this course vary and much depends on the geographic location of where they are flying most. Many pilots come to HeliTahoe to enhance their performance and attain to a higher degree of professionalism.

Certainly the pilots who intend to pursue a career in fire fighting, where helicopters are often the only means to access remote and mountainous locations will need this training. 

In addition, EMS pilots working at high density altitudes with many difficult tasks to perform under pressure and with time constraints, will also need the training. 

Aspiring Heli-Skiing pilots will find this course extremely beneficial. Because our helicopter operation is at a high elevation and surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, we are proud to offer training to Heli-Ski pilots, giving them the ability to perform confidently in potential white-out conditions.

Why Choose HeliTahoe for Mountain Flight Training:

HeliTahoe is the ONLY helicopter flight training center located above 6,200 ft. in the United States and Canada. We receive numerous requests from pilots living in Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Germany. The reason is that we can fulfill the more stringent requirements imposed by the JAA for a commercial license, our rates are highly competitive, our pilots are multi-lingual (seven different languages) and last but not least, we are their home away from home.

Our training facility is located at the South Lake Tahoe (KTVL) airport, which is an airport known for its high density altitude. On a summer day, a helicopter still sitting on the ramp, already thinks it is at 9,800 ft. Where else can you find a better training location?

The Mountain Flight Training will be conducted by Claudio, Chief Pilot/Owner of HeliTahoe. Claudio has well over 4,000 hours of flight time, mostly of which was spent above 6,000 ft. Another skilled pilot, Christian, will also train the candidates, having flown with HeliTahoe consistently in his last few hundred hours, and having demonstrated extensive high density altitude knowledge. Christian has an impeccable work ethic, an immaculate safety record and a personality that is both friendly and motivating.

What Helicopters are Available at HeliTahoe:

We offer Mountain Flight Training in a few helicopters to choose from. We provide training in different aircraft, and we can customize your training in order to maximize the learning process and minimize the cost.  At our South Lake Tahoe airport location, we offer a R44 Raven II. This aircraft has proven to be extremely safe and reliable. If you want to train in a R 22 Beta II, we offer this opportunity from our second facility based at Minden, Nevada (KMEV) with a density altitude, most of the time, above 5,000 ft.

How Much Does Mountain Flight Training Cost:

The rate structure is kept very simple:

R44 Raven I	dual	$550/hr
R44 Raven I	rental	$485/hr
R44 Raven II	dual	$550/hr
R44 Raven II	rental	$485/hr

For more information about joining HeliTahoe for Mountain Flight Training, please call us at 530-544-2211 or Email.