What Do Midwest's Students & Graduate Pilots Have to Say About Us ?

" I have been flying with Midwest for almost two years. I have found all the flight instructors to be very professional and concern for safety is the number one priority. Everyone at Midwest is there because of their love for flying and not just a job. This comes through in their attitude and daily approach to instruction without regard to the rating you may be working on. Everyone is treated with respect."

Mike Montgomery
Vice-President-Sales
Pruett Medical
St. Louis, Missouri

"I started my helicopter training with Midwest Helicopter and obtained my Private, Commercial and CFI there.  Their training was excellent and I was well-prepared for the teaching environment.  I recommend and encourage anyone interested in helicopter flying to use Midwest Helicopter."

Karl Blum
Charter Pilot / Helicopter CFI, CFII
Galesburg, Illinois

Charlie Duchek and his staff are the best possible choice I could have made for helicopter flight training. Safety is emphasized throughout and Charlie has the gift of being able to teach all the skills you need to become a proficient, safe, confident helicopter pilot. There is a certain magical feeling to flying helicopters that Charlie and his group are able to impart to all their students. I am a 55 year old jeweler who was fortunate enough to find Charlie, his skills and his patience. I would recommend him to all those who care to "share the magic."

Sincerely,
Roger M. Doyle
St. Louis, Missouri

"I chose Midwest Helicopter at Spirit of St. Louis Airport, despite living north of Chicago (and being a Cubs fan) because of the outstanding instruction, service, and professionalism I found there. The expertise and depth of knowledge of the staff motivated me to drive many hours to train with such a high quality organization. I earned my Private certificate with the confidence that I was being trained by instructors who were not only experienced, but who also possessed the often overlooked ability to teach. I recommend Midwest Helicopter to anyone interested in learning the art of vertical flight."

Ernest H. Geballe
Deputy Sheriff
Kenosha, Wisconsin

I made the transition from Fixed wing to Rotorcraft / Helicopter under the instruction of Charlie. This was back in 1996 when Midwest Helicopter was just a pup. At that time Charlie had a Sweet Piper Arrow that I had the pleasure of flying as well. He and the Midwest Helicopter team create a great learning, progressive and family-oriented environment. I will try damn near anything once, twice if I like it.  Flying with Charlie and getting my Helicopter Rating was one of greatest highlights in my aviation journey. Like Charlie used to say, "It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on"
 
Blue Skies and Tailwinds after Takeoff !!!
Dan Triska,  ASEL / AMEL, Instrument-Airplane, Rotorcraft-Helicopter
Owner, Triska's "A Taste of Class Catering Co."
Personal Caterer of the Duchek Clan
St. Louis, Missouri

Although I did not accomplish my flight training at Midwest Helicopter, when the company I was with closed the doors for the last time, I went to Charlie and his staff, and explained that I still wanted to fly, and would like to fly with them. They welcomed me to the Midwest family, and after a thorough flight check, I was allowed to rent the R-22 and continue flying. Thanks to all at Midwest Helicopters.

Sincerely
Paul Goldasich, Jr.
Deputy Sheriff
Mount Olive, Illinois

Learning to fly a helicopter is a very rewarding, but costly experience. The process of picking the right flight school is the most important decision you will make regarding your flight training. Midwest's instructors are extremely knowledgeable and professional, and really care about your progress toward your certificate. I am 100% satisfied with the training I received from Midwest. Whether it is for a career or personal enjoyment, Midwest can help make your dreams of helicopter flying a reality. I would recommend them to anyone.

Chad Boyd
Director of IT
Interactive Hotel Solutions
Springfield, Missouri

"I trained with Midwest Helicopter and obtained my private pilot rating in helicopters. I have been a Commercial, Instrument, and Multiengine airplane pilot for almost 40 years and have many thousands of hours in aircraft. Needless to say, I have seen many, many, flight instructors through the years. The instructors at Midwest were some of the very best I have had the opportunity to fly with. The are experts in giving concise, safe, to the point instruction, knowing exactly where each student is at every point, thereby getting you through the program as fast as could be done safely. I would highly recommend them to anyone considering helicopter training."

Sincerely,
Greg Pernoud, DDS
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Festus, Missouri

"A great place to learn how to fly. They are a great group of guys and even better pilots. I wouldn't want to be taught by anyone else."

Alec Parente
Student Pilot
St. Louis, Missouri

"Midwest Helicopter is an all-around first-class, full-service operation. Charlie and Jonathon are the best instructors, mentors, and friends a student or any other heliopter pilot could ask for. They helped me all along the way, from finding financial assistance to ideas for employment. I am still working toward higher ratings and I wouldn't want to do it anywhere else."

Brennan Wade
Marshall, Missouri

Charlie and his staff are the best group of instructors I  have ever come across.The aircraft are the cleanest and best maintained I have seen. They always take the time to explain  a question in clear understandable language.

Chuck Talent
Owner, Chucks Bar and Grill
Des Peres, Missouri

"My name is Ben Welch, a fixed wing private pilot with almost 2000 hours total time and with an IFR rating. I fly a Cessna 172 and a Lancair IV P to Hospital sites that I offer my services as an Emergency Dept. Staff Physician. I realized I could reach more facilities, communities without airports, by earning a helicopter rating and purchasing a helicopter. I have gained permission from authorities to build a heliport on my property. Concurrently, I have engaged in taking helicopter training thru Midwest Helicopters at Spirit of St. Louis Airport. The last time I had such a satisfying experience as I am flying the Robinson R-22 Betas (and sometimes the R-44) was when I was building my Lancair. I can't wait for my next lesson!!

There is just a whole new freedom of flight in flying helicopters! I also can't say enough good things about all the fine, friendly, and professional instructors and instruction I am receiving there. A student is exposed to several instructors but receives most of his / her training with one instructor which I find very effective. I have bonded with Jonathan as that one instructor for me and couldn't be more pleased.

Thanks for the opportunity to share this with you and I mean every word of it !"

Ben Welch, M.D.
Danville, Illinois

"My name is David Bivens I am a Registered Radiologic Technologist. I have always dreamed of flying helicopters. I finally decided to go out and make my dream a reality. I did some research and found Midwest. I went and took an introductory one hour flight and realized I was hooked. I had a great experience at Midwest. The transition from dream to a reality could not have been any easier. Midwest went above and beyond any expectation I had. It was very challenging, but the most rewarding experience of my life. Thanks again to Charlie, Dan, Jonathon, and Peanut for all the help."

David Bivens
Dyersburg, Tennessee

Charlie,

"I just want to express my appreciation to you and your CFI's for the professional training that I received while preparing for my Private Pilot Rotorcraft Certificate. Your staff was always considerate of my hectic schedule, and always made every effort to have an aircraft available when needed. The personalized training that I received focused closely on those areas where I needed improvement, and continuously pushed me to achieve the next level of proficiency as quickly as possible. I have since received my fixed wing add-on through another flight school, and can tell you that Midwest Helicopter definitely sets the standard for other flight schools to follow."

Sincerely,
Joe Houser
South Elgin, IL

Dear Mr. Duchek,

Please take a moment to accept my sincere "Thank You" for you and your staff's hospitality and great training. I appreciate the effort you guys put into making helicopter flying easy for everyone: beginners and advanced alike. I think you have a superb staff at Midwest doing a superb job. I have gained a lot of experience during my Commercial preparation and Checkride at Midwest and I'm sure it will serve me well.

Charlie, Dan, and Jonathan, keep up the quality training and all the good work.

Kenneth Eubanks
Commercial Pilot, Rotorcraft-Helicopter
Blytheville, Arkansas

What Do Other Pilots Have to Say About Midwest's Website ?

Dear "Chiefpilot" at flymidwest.com,

Thank you for a well-written and honest look at becoming a helicopter pilot.

I am a Commercial helicopter pilot and work for a Sheriff's Office in Southwest Florida. Everything you wrote about is true. (See Midwest's Web Page on "Becoming a Professional Helicopter Pilot") It took me twelve years and $40,000 to get where I am now.

I consider myself very lucky because I am able to work in law enforcement aviation. This agency did not require a lot of hours to start and therfore I am one of the lucky ones: I am employed doing what I love to do.

Looking back, if I would have read your article before I started my dream, I would not have changed a thing! It took a lot of time and money to reach my goal, but like you said, at least I'm doing what I love to do.

Thanks again for reminding me why I do what I love to do.

Dwaine Parker
Professional Police Pilot
Southwest Florida

Dear Mr. Duchek,

I earned my license in 1985, but my priorities and responsibilities were shifted shortly thereafter when I started my family. Therefore, I haven't flown very much since that time. I truly miss the fun and excitement of flying helicopters myself. To help offset this oft-overwhelming desire, I write helicopter related fiction and non-fiction, and enjoy reading anything involving helicopters. This is in addition to my regular engineering job.

Reading your site, I could feel the excitement in your words that only another helicopter pilot can truly know and appreciate. I especially liked the FAQ about pilot training and instruction. It was very accurate, complete, forthright, and truthful. All of this brought me back to when I was training. I recall one thought in particular as I was executing hovering maneuvers (quick stops, taxiing pirouettes, squaring the pad, pick-ups / set-downs, etc.) for more than an hour in a Robinson R-22. While I was hovering over the practice field by the runways at Orange County / Santa Ana / John Wayne International Airport in Southern California, I couldn't help musing over the fact that something SO FUN could actually be legal!

Your phrase, "Flying helicopters IS the most fun you can have in public," is VERY similar to a phrase I've offered to many people in the past about flying the helicopter - I completely agree. Interestingly, I've never heard any fixed-wing pilots say anything similar. ;)

Anyway, I didn't mean to waste your time, but I just felt that I had to share with you my thoughts about your philosophy, statements and overall methods as indicated by your website. You've done a great job at illustrating the fun, utility, commitment, responsibility, and exclusivity of being a helicopter pilot!

Thank you,

Bob Trautman
Staff Engineer
Advanced Technology Development
Lockheed Martin Systems Integration
Owego, New York