Peninsula Helicopters Northwest · Bremerton National Airport (KPWT) · Providing Helicopter Pilot Flight Training for the Olympic Peninsula, Tacoma, Olympia, and Seattle areas · (509) 845-6445 · (360) 674-2001
Helicopter Pilot Flight School · Flight Training · Scenic Tours of Olympic National Park, Seattle, and Tacoma · Helicopter Rides · Aerial Photography · Student Financing · Student Loans · Pilot Financing

Get ready for summer and fall flying by submitting an application for financing now! With winter behind us, we're looking forward to months of long, sunny days flying helicopters in the Northwest.

Training to become a professional helicopter pilot is expensive. Even in the best economic times, finding financing, loans, grants, or scholarships to pay for helicopter flight school is difficult. Right now, Peninsula Helicopters Northwest is one of the only schools in the nation that has stepped up by developing an in-house financing program. While most major lenders have cut back on pilot training loans, we think the coming shortage of helicopter pilots will present many opportunities in the coming years. We will train you and work to get your career as a helicopter pilot moving along. If you have been considering learning to fly helicopters or starting a career as a helicopter pilot, Peninsula Helicopters Northwest can get you started now. Stop waiting and start flying by filling out an application now.

In-house Student Loans. Peninsula Helicopters Northwest and our parent school, Helicopters Northwest, is offering loans for students who are ready to begin training with us. Since our in-house financing staff will review your application, your qualifications are considered individually. The terms of our training loans are also negotiable and can be tailored to your individual circumstances. Yes, learning to fly helicopters is expensive, but it is a rewarding career if you are committed to it! Our goal is to fully fund the right students so they can pay for their flight training and complete their certificates without interruption. If you are approved, we want you to be able to fly as often as possible so you can quickly and efficiently complete your helicopter pilot training. We would not be making these loans if we didn't believe that there is a growing need for helicopter pilots, and that you can make a career in flying helicopters. Repayment terms to pay for your Private Pilot Helicopter training start as low as $200/month. You can use our contact form to fill out an application or to have one of our instructors contact you.

National Lenders. For students who prefer working with a national lender, Peninsula Helicopters Northwest has an excellent working relationship with Sallie Mae Financial, one of the largest providers of career training loans. Helicopters Northwest can help you apply for a loan with Sallie Mae, and we have helped negotiate reasonable interest rates and payment options.


Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get approved for a helicopter flight training loan?
We look at a combination of factors, but to be considered for our in-house financing, you should at least have a good credit score, stable employment, and/or a co-signer with good credit. We consider all of these factors, along with your overall plan and commitment to pursuing this career path, when evaluating your application. When considering your credit score, we especially look for a history of financial responsibility.

Can I choose the school where I do my training?
Our loans are for training at Peninsula Helicopters Northwest in Bremerton, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula. Financing may also be available for training at one of our Seattle-area locations. If you aren't willing to move away from home to train, think about this: career helicopter pilots have to be ready to move to where the jobs are. Your first job may not be where you train, and your first turbine job will most likely be in the Gulf of Mexico, Grand Canyon, or Alaska. This is what draws so many people to flying helicopters! If you aren't willing or can't move, this may not be the career for you.

What type of helicopter will I be learning to fly in?
Peninsula Helicopters Northwest uses the Robinson R22 helicopter serviced by a Robinson-authorized service center.

Can I do a demo flight to see if I want to do train with Peninsula Helicopters Northwest?
Absolutely. We offer an introductory ground lesson and 30-minute demo flight for $99. From your very first flight, you'll take command and control of the helicopter, and see why all the Seattle-area schools come out to the Olympic Peninsula to do their training.

Is there really a shortage of helicopter pilots?
Right now, no. With the downturn in the global economy, hiring for all but the most experienced helicopter pilots has ground to a halt. However, helicopter aviation is a cyclic industry, and we are seeing signs that the industry is starting to rebound. We anticipate a massive need for helicopter pilots at all experience levels in the coming years. Here's why. The weak economy has forced many helicopter pilots who were close to retirement to continue working, which has reduced the number of opportunities for new pilots. When the economy wakes up again, we expect 3 forces to act together to stimulate the need for helicopter pilots. 1) As the economy improves, major helicopter operators in the oil and gas, tourism, and utility sectors will have an increased need for helicopter pilots. This year we have seen an increase in hiring by the Gulf of Mexico and tour operators. 2) At the same time, older pilots who would have retired in the last 3 years will leave the industry as their retirement accounts rebound. 3) Helicopter pilots in the GOM and tourism sectors will begin leaving for jobs in higher-paying positions, opening the door for low-time CFIs and creating opportunities for newly graduated CFIs. Lending will also pick up eventually, stimulating hiring by schools who may not have CFIs. This is a cyclical industry, and when the new opportunities come, there will be a rush of them. Wait too long, and you'll end up on the backside again.

Can I get a loan to complete my training or add a certificate/rating?
Yes! Students who weren't able to complete their training at another school because their financing fell through are welcome to apply for a loan from Peninsula Helicopters Northwest.