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LongLine Training Course - Graduate Testimonials

Corporate Testimonials | Graduate Testimonials | Customer Testimonials

Former Vertical Reference students discuss their course experience

Rob - “As an 1100 hour pilot, I was excited to receive a call from my chief pilot telling me I was going to attend L.A. Helicopters' vertical reference and longline school. Having flown a 100 foot steel line and empty hook for a couple hours, 3 years ago, I was going into the school with zero experience and had never flown a robinson helicopter.

Upon attempting vertical reference with just the ship, I was overwhelmed to say the least. At the end of day one, I was sure that Andre was going to drop me at the hotel and tell me to head back to Carson Helicopters. I was impressed with Andre's patience with me, as he worked on getting me to listen to what he was trying to teach me. Knowing how to do something, and actually doing it, are two different things.

After two days of flying, we moved into the field and added the logs and the elevated landing (known as the rack to our training). As the days went on, I developed and improved the skills necessary to fly an empty hook down into trees to a person who hooked up a load, then pickup the load, and pull it out of the trees, under control. This school was by far the toughest, and most intensive flying I have done yet. As a result, I am a more confident pilot, and can't wait to put a line under the ship.

I recommend The Los Angeles Helicopters Long Line Training and Vertical Reference School to anyone who wants to become a better pilot. The skills I have learned, have made me a marketable pilot, and I will always have a job as a utility pilot.”

- Rob Rogers, Pilot, Carson Helicopters

Eddie - “The external load training at Los Angeles Helicopters undoubtedly pushed my flying skills to an entirely new level. As a “newbie” to the world of long line flying, I was amazed with what I had accomplished in such a short period of time. From the outset, the progression of the course was logical and constructive beginning with the fundamentals of vertical reference leading to the grand finale of flying medical litters in confined, dense forested areas on a 200 foot steel line.

The instruction on this course was built from experience. As an instructor myself I can say, that while the instructors experience as professional long line pilots was impressive, their experience as professional instructors was what truly sets this course apart. The course was truly designed to a higher standard.

Not only would I recommend this course to other beginners interested in learning the art of flying a long line, but I can also testify, through witnessing other “high time” pilots on the course, that no matter what your skills or background you will leave more prepared, more knowledgeable, and ready to take your flying to the next level.”

- Sincerely,
Eddie Thomas, Commerical Helicopter Pilot, CFI

Matt - “The LAH Long Line course is real world training by real world pilots. For a new pilot wanting to get into the utility world, this course will open doors to opportunities to work in the field that are not available anywhere else. Ground and flight course layout is perfect for anyone starting out or for a pilot wanting to refresh their long line and vertical reference skills.

The long line course was not only the most fun out of all my training; it was the most challenging and rewarding. Definitely worth the investment! It was directly due to this course that I was able to obtain a Piloting position with one of the major Heavy lift companies in the world!

The teaching by the LAH Instructors is phenomenal, not only are they patient, they are experts in their field, with thousands of hours of long lining to their credit. I appreciate the opportunity to go through the course.

Thanks to LAH for offering this great course. Special thanks to André, Mike and Trevor. Safe flying.”

- Best Wishes,
Matt Romena, Co-Pilot, Carson Helicopters

Aaron - “I needed to get long line experience to advance at my company. For me, LA Helicopters was the only choice. They have well over a decade of real-world long line and utility experience, and their proven training methods made learning this valuable skill both challenging and enjoyable.

I would recommend long line training at LA Helicopters to anyone who is serious about becoming a professional utility helicopter pilot.”

- Aaron Olympius, Pilot, Carson Helicopters

Sarah - “I attended the Long Line course in 2008 and I have to say it was one of the most challenging and enjoyable experiences of my flying career since attempting to hover a helicopter for the first time. It sharpened my ability no-end and has improved my flying accuracy whilst teaching me a new skill set which I feel privileged to have. The instruction I received was top class - always extremely professional and fantastic to be learning from the best in the industry. The course was really well structured and very realistic; the log heliports, pickups and hook shots really help the vertical reference skills come together nicely. I would thoroughly recommend this course to every helicopter pilot, whether for professional development or just for a bit of a challenge - it's awesome.”

- Sarah Bowen, CPL(H) FI(H), Birmingham, UKRead More about Sarah's Long Line experience in HeliOps Magazine

Matt - “The experience at Los Angeles Helicopters was awesome. The long-line course was extremely challenging and fun at the same time. I had no idea how difficult vertical reference flight could be! The level of experience and professionalism of the instructors at Los Angeles Helicopters is unmatched in my experience as a pilot.

It was exciting to go out every day and notice improvements from the previous day. By the end of the course I felt confident about vertical reference flight and ready to pursue a career as a utility pilot. Los Angeles Helicopters truly has set the bar for external load training.

Upon completion of the course I was hired by one of the world's largest Heavy Lift companies, that would not have been possible without the training I received from LAH. Thanks LAH!”

- Matt Long, CoPilot Columbia Helicopters

Forrest - “I would like to commend LAH for providing a safe and professional training environment with such a high regard for detail. The experience I gained at Los Angeles Helicopters provided me with the knowledge and skills to begin an exciting career in aviation.Their Utility Long Line course was instrumental in me gaining a position with one of the World's leaders in Heavy Lift Helicopters and fulfilling a lifelong goal.

Special thanks to Lars, Mike, G man and Andre.”

- Sincerely,
Forrest Gartin, Command Pilot, Columbia Helicopters

Ben - “The vertical reference/ long line training program offered by LA Helicopters has been an invaluable experience. I was very impressed with the professionalism and expertise of the staff.

This is the most comprehensive training in this phase of helicopter flight I have seen.

Excellent instruction and real world training applications make this the most complete course of its kind. The course has, and will continue to provide me more career opportunities. Many thanks to all of the LA Helicopters team.”

- Sincerely,
Ben Garrison, Line Pilot

Phill - “After a few thousand hours of flying, the last couple of thousand landing on tuna boats it was time to move on to the world of vertical reference/long lining.

I looked for somewhere to go and after some researching, reading recent news articles and hearing about the course through some fellow pilots I decided on Los Angeles Helicopters.

The Instructors on the course are all experienced Heavy Lift pilots with thousands of hours of vertical reference/long line flying. L.A.Helicopters runs an amazing course that teaches you the hardest line to fly in long lining while passing on their wealth of experience. Best money I've spent in all my years of flying.”

- Phill McIvor, Pilot, Tropic Helicopters FSM

John - “Like a lot of people who've watched in admiration, films of construction, fire fighters and rescue helicopters at work, when I heard about Los Angeles Helicopters' long line course where I could learn this niche trade, then I was hooked (no pun intended). My concern was my low hours and zero experience plus the high standards I set myself. But having talked to LA Helicopters, and Andre in particular whom I've had the opportunity to fly with before, I was assured I could do it and so with nervous excitement I enrolled.

We were a mixed group; an ex military now utility pilot, a 1000+ hour instructor and me with my 300 hours, but in those first few flying sessions you couldn't tell the rookie from the veteran. There was great morale and support of each other and yet a fair competitive edge between the students, so some of the placements got “interesting.” We all came out sweating but eager for more.

Other than “do this course”, if I could offerone piece of advice it would be this simple...listen to what you're being told, it really is that easy. And why wouldn't you believe a guy who is a command pilot for one of the world's largest heavy lift companies. Thank you Andre and Los Angeles Helicopters for some of the toughest yet most rewarding flying to date.

Apologies for the self indulgence but for those interested, here's what I achieved:”

- John Jennings, FAA Commercial Helicopter Pilot

Natalie - “I was given an amazing opportunity to experience LA Helicopters long line course and I was blown away by the tremendous level of professionalism as well as the attention to detail in relating the long line experience to every variation of “Ireal world” utility flying. It is an intense training program that by far exceeds any other long line course I have seen out there. It has given me a great foundation in which I feel confident in my abilities to continue to learn and be successful at the art of long-lining. Thank you so much for everything! The course and instruction is awesome!”

- Natalie Nilsen, Commercial Helicopter Pilot, Columbia Helicopters

Pål A. Fevang - Coming to Los Angeles Helicopters and getting trained to fly by only looking straight down at the ground was a truly remarkable experience.
Vertical reference flying is by far the most demanding thing I have ever done in my life. It does not matter what your previous experience is, because it is like learning to fly all over again!
The mental fatigue and physical strain is beyond everything I have encountered in any type of flight training.
You get "hands on" experience landing on different types of helipads, simulating one-way-in/one-way-out situations, see and feel how the different types of loads behave on the long line, getting the line in to tight confined areas, learning to brief your ground crew, and communicating with hands signals and radio. You also get to fly with different types of lines and when all of this is combined you will start to understand how much skill it takes to "own the line and your load". The instructors have many years of experience in the long lining industry and can therefore create this unique learning environment with very realistic simulated situations.
So if you thinking about becoming a utility long line pilot, this is the course for you. During the 20hrs you fly, your piloting skills will advance to the next level and I noticed a big difference in my confidence and flying abilities after attending this course.

Thank you Los Angeles Helicopters, for a fantastic week!

Sincerely
Pål A. Fevang
Commercial Helicopter Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor

Robert - “LA Helicopters Vertical Reference Course far exceeded any expectation I had before attending. The transition made from your first couple days on the heli-pads to 20 hours later flying a 200' steel line and placing it in the hands of “No Step Stanley” was amazing. Any pilot thinking they may want to enter the world of Vertical Reference and Utility flying should first spend the 20 hours with Andre and get some fundamental and real world experience from him and learn the basic skills and nature of Vertical Reference flying. Don't waste your time and money on other schools claiming they have a long line course, if you really want to learn Vertical Reference, why not learn it from a pilot with thousands of hours and years of real world experience doing it for the world's leader in heavy lift helicopters...I did, and it was well worth it!!!”

- Robert Stone, Columbia Helicopters