Helicopters Northwest · King County Airport (KBFI) · Providing Helicopter Pilot Flight Training for the Olympic Peninsula, Tacoma, Olympia, and Seattle areas · (509) 845-6445 · (206) 767-0508
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

Our financing program is like no other in the country.
We don't deal with major banks or traditional educational lenders like Sallie Mae. When you finance with Helicopters Northwest, your application will be handled entirely in-house. We believe in the coming need for helicopter pilots, and providing financing directly to our students allows us to continue funding your training when other lenders stopped years ago.

Now accepting applications for training at all locations!
Helicopters Northwest has locations throughout the Puget Sound area, including our main location in Seattle, and satellite schools in Tacoma, Everett, and Bremerton. Apply for financing with us and you can train at any of our 4 locations. Our R22 dual instruction rates for students with financing are $240 per hour, and we also offer dual instruction in our new Raven I for $300 per hour! One of the advantages of training with us: Once you have your CFI, 300 hours Total Time, and 50 hours R44 time, you can apply for a position with us as a tour pilot. This summer, N70KA flew every good weather day from 9 a.m. until dusk doing Seattle tours or for flight instruction. When we got N70KA she was brand new; this month she'll go in for her 4th 100-hour inspection.

How will I pay for helicopter flight school?
There's no doubt that 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. Helicopters Northwest has broken down the major barrier to helicopter training: finding financing and loans for flight school. We are 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, Helicopters Northwest can get you started now. Stop waiting and start flying by filling out an application now.

In-house Student Loans. Helicopters Northwest and our satellite schools (including Peninsula 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. Sallie Mae, PilotFinance, Key Bank, and the other major lenders who traditionally have provided flight training loans for aspiring pilots have cut back or stopped altogether. Helicopters Northwest can help you apply for a loan with these lenders if you need additional financing beyond what our in-house program provides. However, for most students, the answer to "how will I pay for helicopter pilot trainging?" is our in-house financing program.


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 Helicopters Northwest in downtown Seattle, Washington. 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?
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 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 all the benefits the Seattle-area has for helicopter flight 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 Helicopters Northwest.