Oregon-based Leading Edge Flight Academy Introduces FAA Part 141 Robinson R22 and R44 PIC Qualification Courses

Oregon, USA – US helicopter and fixed-wing flight training organisation Leading Edge Flight Academy has introduced FAA-approved Part 141 Pilot-in-Command (PIC) qualification courses for the Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters at Bend Municipal Airport, Oregon. The courses are designed for existing helicopter pilots seeking to meet the aircraft-specific training and endorsement requirements of Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 73.

• Each course comprises 20 hours of instruction, divided into 10 hours of dual helicopter flight training and 10 hours of ground instruction. Both the R22 and R44 courses are available for immediate enrolment.
• Applicants must meet the following prerequisites:
  • Hold a Private Pilot Certificate with a helicopter rating or higher.
  • Hold a current aviation medical certificate.
• The ground training component covers SFAR 73 awareness requirements, aircraft limitations, weight and balance, helicopter systems and emergency procedures.
• The practical flight training component covers normal operating procedures, off-airport operations, emergency procedures and autorotations. Each course concludes with an end-of-course proficiency check and the appropriate pilot logbook endorsement.
• Leading Edge Flight Academy also provides advanced helicopter training covering mountain flying, Night Vision Goggle (NVG) operations, external load operations and turbine transitions. The new PIC qualification courses provide an additional training pathway for pilots seeking to operate Robinson helicopters after completing their initial helicopter pilot certification.
• FAA SFAR No. 73 establishes additional requirements for pilots operating Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters. For pilots using the training-and-endorsement pathway rather than qualifying through the specified experience thresholds, the regulation requires at least 10 hours of flight training in an R22 for R22 PIC qualification, or 10 hours in Robinson helicopters, including at least five hours in an R44, for R44 PIC qualification. Pilots must also satisfy the applicable ground training, instructor endorsement and flight review requirements, including aircraft-specific emergency procedure training.

About Leading Edge Flight Academy
Leading Edge Flight Academy is an FAA Part 141 and Part 61 flight training organisation based at Bend Municipal Airport in Oregon, providing fixed-wing and helicopter pilot training from initial qualifications through commercial and instructor certification. Its helicopter training fleet includes Robinson R22, Robinson R44 and Bell 206-series aircraft, supported by access to a Frasca R44 Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) through Central Oregon Community College. The academy also provides an aviation degree pathway in partnership with the college.

Source: Leading Edge Flight Academy