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here is no better way to see the world than from a helicopter — and few things more rewarding than learning how to fly one. Of course, not everyone is destined to become a helicopter pilot. It's a job that requires commitment, concentration, and attention to detail. But whether you're already a fixed-wing pilot or plan to launch your aviation career in helicopters, Sunset Helicopters can get you where you want to be: on your way to becoming a safe, proficient rotorcraft pilot.
Students progress at their own rate, so courses at Sunset Helicopters are designed to be flexible, based on a student's schedule and goals. For a list of typical costs associated with various certificates and ratings, please see our Flight Training Rates page.
 You don't have to know a thing about helicopters to start flying them, and a new pilot has distinct advantages over high-hour fixed-wing flyers. If you're a new pilot, you aren't burdened with preconceived notions about aerodynamics and flight. You're also able to commit yourself to helicopter flying, rather than splitting your attention between rotorcraft and airplanes, so your training will be more focused.
For those who earn their FAA Commercial license, the variety of helicopter jobs out there is seemingly limitless — corporate flying, agricultural support, forestry, flight instruction, industrial applications, pipeline inspection, fire-fighting, air medical services, law enforcement, news reporting, and more. Think about how often you see or hear helicopters, and how many different companies are dependent upon them. Each one of these companies requires experienced, professional pilots.
Call us at 503-678-1813 or email info@sunsethelicopters.com. We offer FAA-regulated flight training in accordance with FAR Part 61 curriculum. Our location at the Aurora State Airport (20 miles south of Portland, Oregon) makes us an attractive choice for students who are building hours at larger airports like Hillsboro, but would like to log some additional time closer to home.
Introductory Rides are available for $99 and are an excellent way to find out what it's like to pilot a helicopter. You are on the controls for the majority of the flight, and one of our experienced Flight Instructors will teach you basic flight manuevers, let you try to hover, and (if you'd like) demonstrate an autorotation: simulating an engine failure and gliding the helicopter back to Planet Earth. Call or email to schedule your first time at the controls.
 For our purposes, we consider a transitioning pilot to be a pilot (or student pilot) who has a significant number of hours in fixed-wing aircraft.
As an airplane pilot, you may have to "unlearn" some fixed-wing habits to be able to proficiently fly helicopters, but you also have some advantages: you already understand aircraft instrumentation, systems, airspace, FAA regulations, as well as being famililar with the sensation of flight.
Many fixed-wing pilots express an interest in flying helicopters, be it for an add-on Helicopter rating, expanding their aviation skills, or just to see what it's like. We welcome all kinds of transitioning pilots — helicopter flying can reveal entirely new and unexpected horizons.
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