Flight Training
Become a helicopter pilot today! At Front Range Heli, we offer flight training programs that are results-driven and backed by a supportive staff with over 20 years of experience. We're not here to sell you any gimmicks, we're here to help you get in the air as confident, safe, and cost-effective as possible. While other training facilities tack on added costs for altitude and location, our friendly and capable staff believes that our high-altitude environment present real-world challenges that make you a better pilot - not a slower student. See the difference for yourself before committing with our intro flight special!
TRAINING COURSES AVAILABLE:
PRIVATE PILOT
COMMERICAL HELICOPTER PILOT
INSTRUMENT RATING
Certified Flight Instructor
long line external load training
frasca truflight r44 flight simulator
We've got some exciting programs in the works! We will soon be offering external load training as well as teaching you to fly a helicopter with our top of the line R44 flight simulator. Check back here soon for more information.
Proudly Serving Students in MSU Denver’s Aviation & Aerospace Science Program
HOW IT WORKS
Front Range Heli is proud to support students working toward their aviation degree through MSU Denver.
Eligible students may receive up to $35,000 per semester in financial aid—including loans and grants—to apply toward flight training with us.
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Enroll in MSU Denver's Aviation and Aerospace program.
Enroll in helicopter lab.
Be eligible for up to $35k/semester in college grants and loans to use toward flight training with us.
Train with the Front Range Heli team at Erie Municipal Airport (15 miles north of Denver) and earn your rating!
CONTACT US
WHY CHOOSE FRONT RANGE HELI?
Genuine Instruction.
What sets us apart:
No Gimmicks. Just Results.
We are committed to getting you results without wasting your time or money. Our programs are built around efficient, honest instruction—not gimmicks or unnecessary flight hours. The high altitude environment isn't something we use to extend your training but rather to make you a more skilled pilot. We are also a non-towered airport, meaning we don't have to wait for FTC clearance to get in the air, offering you the most flight time for your money.
Too many students come to us after realizing they’re behind or being misled elsewhere. At Front Range Heli, we are deeply invested in your success and are here to give you the best experience from day one with clear expectations, expert instruction, and personalized guidance every step of the way.
Over 20 years of real-world training experience
No sales gimmicks—just proven results
Honest, personalized instruction from a passionate team
High-altitude training that builds better pilots
Colorado’s best location for helicopter flight training
Strong track record of student success and career placement
Private pilot
During our private pilot ground course you will learn the basics of aerodynamics, communications, weather, FAA regulation and much more. The flight portion of the course will teach you how to fly! We cover all you need and more to become a safe and successful aviator. Utilizing proven training techniques we provide the most cost effective and safe training available. We have a training area right here on airport so you don’t have to spend your hard earned training dollars flying somewhere else!!
40 HOURS MIN
our training programs
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We follow FAA Airman Certification Standards
Commercial Helicopter Pilot
Looking for a career in aviation or wanting an add-on your current rating? At Front Range Heli we use a combination of situational training and time building to ensure you are ready to be a commercial helicopter pilot. This includes getting you to the minimum 150 hours required by the FAA to get your commercial pilot certificate. Learn from the best here!! Our CFI/CFIIs have industry experience and are proven effective with high first-time pass rate in getting students their commercial helicopter rating.
150 HOURS MIN
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We follow FAA Airman Certification Standards
Instrument Rating
Training for the Instrument rating teaches the pilot to fly in limited visibility, fog & clouds. You will learn to maneuver the helicopter by reference to instruments. In addition to enhancing your piloting skills, you will enhance your confidence and safety. An Instrument Rating is required for most professional flying careers. We are bringing online a top-rated in the industry Frasca TruFlite R44 Flight Simulator to save you money and enhance your flight training.
LEARN MORE
We follow FAA Airman Certification Standards
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
What’s better then being a helicopter pilot? Giving back to the aviation community by teaching others. Through rigorous training we will help you attain your dream of obtaining your CFI certificate. You can use this to springboard from your Commercial Rating to build the time needed for that next step up the ladder (i.e. EMS, Fire, Police, etc.)
**We are bringing online a top-rated in the industry Frasca TruFlite R44 Flight Simulator to save you money and enhance your flight training!!
LEARN MORE
We follow FAA Airman Certification Standards
PRICING
*includes fuel/taxes/insurance
R44
FLIGHT INSTRUCTION
$648.30/hr
$93.70/hr
INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT SPECIAL!
PRICE MATCHING: We will price match R44 training from any other FAA Certified program excluding flight clubs.
FINANCING: Financing is available! Contact us to learn more.
BULK PRICING: Bulk purchase discount. $25/hr discount on helicopter rate when you buy 5 lessons. Cash/check.
$429
Includes ground training and 30 min flight w/instructor with you at the controls.
book now
INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT SPECIAL • INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT SPECIAL • INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT SPECIAL • INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT SPECIAL • INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT SPECIAL •
INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT SPECIAL • INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT SPECIAL • INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT SPECIAL • INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT
FINANCING OPTIONS
PRIVATE LOANS
Scholarships
College grants & LOAns
PLEASE NOTE: We are working on receiving our Part 141 certification so we can accept VA/GI Bill Military Benefits. Coming soon!
Private loans are available, though they do tend to have the highest interest rates. Do your own research to decide if this route is right for you.
Federal Student Aid is available for those attending an accredited university program that accepts FAFSA.
Eligible students of MSU Denver's Aviation and Aerospace Science program may receive up to $35,000 per semester in financial aid—including loans and grants—to apply toward flight training with us.
FINANCING OPTIONS
Financing Available via AOPA
Learn more
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting from zero, the FAA requires 40 hours min flight training. It typically takes
50-55 hours flight training and 20 hours of Ground school. The rate for a helicopter is
$648.30/hr—this includes helicopter, insurance, fuel, and taxes. The cost for the flight
instructor is $95/hr. Total is $35-40K.
The insurance and maintenance are what drives the cost on helicopters. They are
very capable machines, but there are a lot of moving parts. Each and every one has a
life span and must be checked at regular intervals.
If you’re wanting to just get in the air, then an airplane may be the way. Both Airplane
and Helicopter require 50 hours per the FAA. Otherwise, if you’re wanting to become
commercial the cost actually evens out to airplanes. Becoming a Commercial
Helicopter Pilot requires 150 hours, whereas an airplane requires 250. When you look at it like this, it’s not really more expensive. You have to look at your end goal.
HOW CAN I PAY FOR MY TRAINING?
DO YOU ACCEPT VA/GI BILL FUNDING?
We are in process with the FAA to receive our Part 141 Training Certification which
will allow us to accept VA/GI Bill benefits. We expect to have this early 2025.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN FAA CERTIFIED FLIGHT SCHOOL AND A LOCAL FLIGHT CLUB?
FAA Certified schools undergo periodic FAA base visits to facilities, instructors, and aircraft. Flight clubs can be looser with their maintenance and lots of time do it in-house. This doesn’t attract the best instructors so you end up getting what you pay for. It’s easy to be lured into lower pricing and deals where they take large chunks of money up front to lock you and leaving you in a difficult situation if you’re not happy. Our maintenance is on par with EMS, Police, Fire to ensure safety and performance of the aircraft. Our instructors and curriculum are top-shelf and will usually result in completing your rating quicker with higher pass rate when you go for your FAA check ride. Attrition can be high at flight clubs where CFIs pass through to build time at your expense. Don’t get passed around. We have full-time staff dedicated to see you through to your objective.
-Jake Smith
"Front Range Heli provided an unforgettable helicopter experience, making it the highlight of our trip! Highly recommended."
SUBMIT YOUR OWN REVIEW
-Sophia Adams
"The professionalism and expertise of the staff at Front Range Heli were exceptional. A fantastic flight experience!"
-Nicole Theisen & son Landon
"Thank you so much! What an incredible experience!"
-Brianna Mullen
