The Robinson R-22 Helicopter

The Robinson R-22 is a small two-bladed, single-engine helicopter made by Robinson, and piloted with a floor mounted stick between the pilot’s knees. The first R22 was designed in 1973 by Frank Robinson, and was first put into production in 1979. As of 2015, more than 4,600 R-22’s have been manufactured, making it one of the more popular helicopter models.

The Robinson R22 is powered by a 160 bhp Lycoming 0-320-b2c engine. This lycoming engine is mounted horizontally and is aircooled. The R-22 is a popular helicopter model for training helicopter pilots at flight schools, and we use them at Upper Limit Aviation as well

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How Jodi Brommer Became a Commercial Helicopter Pilot

Meet Jodi Brommer, former Assistant Chief Flight Instructor at Upper Limit Aviation (ULA), who was recently hired to fly for PJ Helicopters, a helicopter company out of Red Bluff, California. Dream finally fulfilled, Jodi is now flying as a commercial helicopter pilot, and enjoying the fruits of her hard work, diligence, and perseverance.

Jodi had an impossible dream, a dream that she harbored for many years. Jodi, against all odds, took a leap of faith and followed her well-developed plan. Step-by-step, with great patience and a strong commitment, Jodi followed her plan until she achieved her dream. And she chose Upper Limit Aviation as the launching point to achieving her dream of becoming a commercial helicopter pilot.

For all the women out there that do not believe that they can achieve their dream to become a commercial helicopter pilot, Jodi has a message: “Women, who happen to be skilled pilots, are valued and highly sought after in the helicopter industry.”

It is true that the helicopter industry is currently dominated by men, but that is not necessarily by design. Helicopter employers are looking for skilled and competent pilots, period. In fact, it might even be a bonus if you are a woman with the right piloting skills.

Jodi Brommer gives much of the credit to her supportive family, the Post 9/11 GI Bill, and Upper Limit Aviation for helping her to achieve her dream.

Jodi’s Remarkable Journey Started with a Decision

Jodi’s flight school adventure began in the summer of 2011, as she enrolled in ULA with the determination with which only a few can relate. Today, Jodi is more than an aviator. She is a leader among her peers, a professional woman, a valued employee, and one heck of a commercial helicopter pilot. But her journey was not always an easy one. Jodi met turbulence and headwinds with every step she took.

“I never knew that being a pilot was possible,” Jodi Brommer.

Despite growing up poor, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Jodi did not believe that accomplishing her dream of being a commercial helicopter pilot was possible. However, with unstoppable drive, determination, and service to her country, Jodi’s dream is more than a reality today.

Since starting her flight training, Jodi has earned an Associate Degree in Professional Pilot and is working toward a Bachelors of General Studies. She is a dual rated pilot, having earned certificates in both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft.

My family was poor… my parents earned less than $20,000 a year and managed a seven-member household. I never even considered flying helicopters to be a possibility. Then, President Bush signed the 9/11 G.I. Bill, and in effect, I knew that it would help pay for my flight training. I realized that flying was something that I really wanted to do – so I made it happen through Post 9/11 GI Bill Educational Benefits.

Video Clips of Jodi as she progressed through Flight Training

Jodi’s parents have been supportive of her career choice from day one. Her parents were excited for Jodi, and ecstatic about her accomplishments. It is truly an exceptional accomplishment, and Jodi claims that without the VA educational benefits and ULA it would not have been possible. Jodi served five years in the Navy as a Combat Constructionman before attending flight school with ULA.

In addition to providing amazing aviation training, Jodi says that “Upper Limit Aviation is ‘the place’ if you’re looking for a home-away-from-home.ULA has been like a family since I got here; they treat me like a sister – they really do. It’s nice to have a place where you work that you feel happy to go to each morning, and that’s the key – to be happy when you go to work.

After earning her pilot’s certificates (Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI, and CFII), Jodi was hired on by Upper Limit Aviation as a Certified Flight Instructor. While logging flight hours as a CFI, Jodi was promoted up the ULA ranks to Assistant Chief Flight Instructor before taking a job with PJ Helicopters. Jodi’s story is a remarkable one of vision, dedication, commitment, and sacrifice. If you asked Jodi today, she would certainly say that it was all worth it.

Jodi was not the only woman pilot at ULA, and she certainly was not the exception. Over the years, dozens of women have chosen ULA as their flight school. Upper Limit Aviation is co-owned by a woman. The environment and culture at Upper Limit Aviation is perfect place for a women to achieve their best.

The Sky is not the Limit!

Jodi has advanced her career thanks the opportunities at ULA. “I had an industry job offer – my first industry job outside of ULA and I took it. I was really surprised that ULA was willing to let me go, to move on, considering how much I enjoyed working here. But they put my name in the hat because PJ Helicopters needed the flight skills that I had. There’re no words to describe the opportunity I have because of it”, stated Jodi.

Jodi now flies for PJ Helicopters, a utility helicopter company out of Red Bluff, California. The company conducts utility and powerline work, law enforcement support (Marijuana eradication), as well as forest firefighting. Jodi started out earning $65,000 per year.

The coolest thing about Upper Limit Aviation? Jodi says, “ULA is specifically designed to help pilots get good jobs after flight school. It’s either do the training right and get a job, or do it cheaply and do not get a job. It’s that simple. At ULA, they do it right! I am a Post 9/11 GI Bill benefactor, and because of my training I’m already a VA success!

Jodi’s message to any prospective student with her same dream is to consider flight training with ULA, “The quality of Flight Instructors and Mechanics in the Maintenance Department is exceptional. They personify professionalism. When it comes to safe flight instruction, maintenance is extremely important, and our mechanics ROCK!

It turns out the sky is not the limit, at least not for this girl. Jodi says, “If you’re hungry and you have a passion for flying, you need to do it when you can. Flight school needs to be there for you, and Upper Limit Aviation has been.

Lastly, Jodi recognizes that there are pilots out there that are struggling to find jobs, and its a shame. Getting a good paying Tier 1 job in the helicopter industry requires more than flight hours and turbine experience. A college degree is very helpful when competing for job openings. Additionally, attending a school that is “connected” with the helicopter industry is critical. Employers are recruiting ULA pilots because they are the best. ULA pilots come with a good reputation and are trusted to do a good job.

Jodi Brommer’s Certificates and Flight Hours

  • Private Pilot Helicopter
  • Private Pilot Fixed Wing
  • Instrument Helicopter
  • Instrument Fixed Wing
  • Commercial Helicopter
  • Commercial Fixed Wing
  • Certified Flight Instructor Helicopter
  • Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter
  • Jodi has accumulated 1,200 helicopter hours and 150 fixed wing hours

Here are a few Related Articles for Student Pilots:

Top 6 Tips for Student Pilots Attempting to Land Their First Aviation Job

Tier 1 Helicopter Pilot Jobs

Six Student Pilots Mistakes That Can Ruin an Aviation Career

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You can get started today by filling out our online application. If you would like more information, you can call us at (844) 435-9338, or click here to start a live chat with us.

Robinson R-44

The Robinson R-44 is two-bladed, 4 seat light helicopter made by Robinson Helicopter Company, based off their R-22 design. The R44 was designed in 1980s by Frank Robinson, and had its first flight in March 1990. After further testing, the first production model of the R-44 was delivered on February 1993. The R44 is powered by a Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 6 cylinder flat engine with fuel injection rated at 245 bhp.

Over 5600 R-44 helicopters have been produced, and it has become a popular choice for helicopter flight schools. The R-44 is used for the majority of rotorcraft training at Upper Limit Aviation.

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The EC145 Helicopter

The EC145 is a twin-engine light utility helicopter made by Airbus Helicopters. It was first flown in June of 1999, and has been in production since 2002. This helicopter can carry up to nine passengers and 2 crew members. This helicopter is used for such tasks as corporate transport, passenger transport, emergency medical services, search and rescue, para-public and utility roles and much more. This helicopter also has a larger cabin space than the older BK 117. Internal space was increased by 46cm (18in) in lenth and 13 cm (5 in) in width increasing the cabin volume by 1 meter to 6 meters.

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Bell 206 Helicopter

The Bell 206 is a two bladed, single engine helicopter by Bell Helicopters. Some 206’s come Equipped with 2 Engines also known as TwinRangers. The Basic Shape and design of the bell Has remained virtually unchanged since 1967. Some variants included a modified tail rotor and more powerful engine. The Bell 206 is most commonly powered by an Allison 250-C18 turboshaft engine making 650 hp.

Whether for corporate transportation, emergency medical services, offshore oil and gas rig support, law enforcement or firefighting, the 206 has what it takes to accomplish the mission. The 206 high-inertia two-bladed rotor system and patented suspension system delivers an incredibly smooth ride. The 206 can hold up to seven passengers very comfortably, and the club-passenger seating allows for face-to-face conversations.

Get Started With Your Flight Training Today

You can get started today by filling out our online application. If you would like more information, you can call us at (801) 596-7722.

Should I Be a Helicopter Pilot or Airplane Pilot?

Helicopter pilot or airplane pilot?  The answer depends on whom you ask. Experienced helicopter and airplane pilots will be very specific with their answer to this question.  But what about “aspiring pilots”, those who are not yet pilots, but their dream is to become commercial pilots? To an aspiring pilot, the response to this question varies tremendously. However, the answer to this query will define their career, so they need to get it right.

The Main Difference between Helicopters and Airplanes

The main difference between the two types of pilots is obvious; airplanes and helicopters are completely different machines with different flight characteristics, capabilities, and missions. Therefore, for the purpose of this article we are going to focus on the reason pilots become a specific type of pilot. The outcome of this question really depends upon your “heart and passion” for flying, as well as your individual life goals.

For a detailed list of information as to the differences between professional helicopter pilots and career airplane pilots read the article below (underneath the video “Airplane versus Helicopter”). The article may contain information you never thought of, but need to know.

The “career” is where the key differences between the helicopter pilot and airplane pilot reside. With both airplanes and helicopters, pilots need to build hours (flight time) to get a job. For airplane pilots, you will need 1,500 hours as a pilot and get what the FAA calls an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, known as your ATP, before you will see your first job. This is a requirement for airplane pilots in order to begin working for Air Carrier operators.

Once you are a certified airplane pilot you will being to work on getting the required flight hours before you start your move up the employment ladder.  As an airplane pilot you may have to take two or three “entry level” jobs before you can enjoy a lucrative career as a commercial airline pilot (working for a major air carrier hauling passengers or cargo). Airplane pilots have to compete in a very competitive job market. Without a college degree, it is almost impossible to move up the job ladder.

Should you become a helicopter pilot or airplane pilot?When it comes to helicopter pilots the flight time and requirements are similar to the airplane path described above, but there is less competition for the best jobs (there are less helicopter pilots available combined with a very high global demand for helicopter pilots – all good news for helicopter pilots).

Typically, helicopter pilots can reach the top paying jobs faster than that of an airplane pilot.  The real question boils down to… do you want to fly straight line distances at 30,000 feet on autopilot, or do you want to FLY in a dynamic environment, landing almost anywhere?

Airplane flying can’t be compared with helicopter flying. Most people have one or the other in their blood, and the decision is easy.

You have to ask yourself what type of flying you actually want to be doing for your career. Hopefully, your career will be long, so you have to make the right decision for yourself. Although there are are plenty of flight careers for both airplane and helicopter pilots, those with the right training and education get the better opportunities.

Below is a Short List of Possible Career Paths for Experienced Airplane Pilots.
  • Airline Pilot carrying Passengers or Cargo.
  • Private Charter Pilot
  • Certain Law Enforcement or Government Operations
  • Bush Flying or Division of Wildlife Work
  • Professional Instructor Pilot
  • I’m sure there’s more, but if we’re being honest, most who choose to be an Airplane Pilot are looking for a career with a Major Airline.
Here’s a List of Possible Career Paths for the Experienced Helicopter Pilot.
  • EMS Pilot
  • Pipeline Patrol Pilot
  • Offshore Oil Rig Pilot
  • Air Tour Pilot
  • Charter Pilot
  • Logging Pilot
  • Bush Pilot
  • Utility Pilot Carrying External Loads (How do they get those Air Conditioning Units on top of those Skyscrapers anyway?)
  • Border Patrol
  • Local, State or Federal Law Enforcement
  • Professional Instructor Pilot (Many start their career as an Instructor, but don’t forget there are Chief Instructors who are at the top of the Industry when it comes to flight experience at Every School).
How Much are You Motivated by Money?

We recommend that money should not be your primary factor when it comes to deciding between a career as an helicopter pilot or airplane pilot. Unfortunately, for many people “money” is the sole motivating factor. And that’s okay. Some people are motivated by materialistic things and they measure their success based on the size of their bank account and the list of toys they have acquired. Be forewarned: working 65-80 hours a week performing a job that you hate is not good. Would you rather make less money doing what you love (flying)?

How does “money” fit into our conversation on becoming a helicopter pilot or airplane pilot? Simple, in the long run, you potentially make more money as an airplane pilot. This is due to simple logistics; Airplanes can carry more passengers or cargo. If you are solely motivated by money, you may want to consider becoming an airplane pilot. Mature experienced airplane pilots can make well over $100,000 per year, but it takes longer to get to the big money than it does for helicopter pilots. Experienced helicopter pilots can make $65,000 to $85,000, and some make up to 100K and above.

Flying at high altitudes going in one straight line on autopilot is not very much fun for helicopter pilots. If you want to be creative, adventurous, and “free” consider becoming a helicopter pilot. Regardless of the pathway you choose, if you are considering becoming a Professional Pilot, you need to ask yourself what motivates you and why you want to be a pilot (either type). When you find that answer, Upper Limit Aviation is here to help you make it happen.

Airplane Pilots: Job Opportunities and Salaries

For valid information regarding the job opportunities and salaries of airplane pilots, click here. Airplane pilots flying turbo-prop planes enter the aviation industry making around $20,000 to $25,000 per year (entry level jobs). New pilots take these jobs to build flight hours. They sacrifice money for flight hours so that they can advance their careers and make “the big money” later down the line. They may fly for 2 to 5 years with a Regional Airline (turbo-prop or jets) before they can compete for a piloting job with a major airline. Airplane pilots flying for the major airlines can make $100,000 to $200,000.

Recently, Boeing proclaimed that the world will need at least 28,000 new pilots per year to keep up with the demand. The same report claims that the world will need 500,000 new pilots between now and 2034.  This is great news for airplane pilots.

Helicopter Pilots Job Opportunities and Salaries

Newly certified commercial helicopter pilots will make $25,000 to $30,000 per year as a CFI (Certified Flight Instructor). Once they have accumulated 1,200 to 1,500 flight hours, they start looking for what is known as a “Tier 1” pilot job (for more info about Tier 1 jobs, click here). It will take a year or two as a CFI to build 1,200 to 1,500 flight hours.

However, Tier 1 helicopter pilots make $45,000 to $65, 000. Pilots with 3,000 to 5,000 flight hours can advance to “Tier 2” pilots jobs (click here for more info on Tier 2 pilot jobs), making $65,000 to $85,000 per year. Next comes “Tier 3” pilot jobs. The best helicopter pilots with 5,000 hours or more can compete for Tier 3 jobs and make $100K plus (Tier 3 Jobs, click here).

Aviation Schools Online published an article recently pointing to reports from the Bureau of Labor Statics regarding job forecasts for all pilots. The article is especially important to helicopter pilots. The point is that the world will need new helicopter pilots for decades to come. Right now there is a huge shortage of pilots, and this is not expected to change anytime soon. The pilots with the best training, most hours, and top education will have less competition for the best piloting jobs anywhere in the world. For more on the story of helicopter pilot jobs, click here. Simply do a Google search and you will find dozens of articles from reputable sources, and all of them are saying the same thing – the world needs helicopter pilots!

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You can get started today by filling out our online application. If you would like more information, you can call us at (801) 596-7722.

Finding Helicopter Tour Pilot Jobs

Some events in your life can leave lasting impressions, impressions that influence decisions that will change your life.  One such event happened at a rodeo sideshow for Thomas John whom at the time was no older than 17.

“The announcer says there’s a big surprise everyone look up, and it was nighttime so you couldn’t see it but you could hear this roar coming in and immediately we knew it was a helicopter. I got excited because I had never seen one up close and personal like that.  He came screaming over the stadium at probably full speed, right over the top of the stadium and was just thundering loud, everybody was excited.  Seeing the lights arcing up in the air and circling around and coming back down into the spot and dust blowing everywhere there was nothing else that had ever made me that excited, I was thrilled,” said John.

The Army Apache ignited a spark inside Thomas that night. It was a spark that would only grow into a desire to take on one of the nation’s most exciting careers. The training for the helicopter pilot program was expensive but John began his search to fund the training.

“I had always been fascinated with the military so I decided that I would join so that I can use the G.I. bill benefits to pay for my school. Literally a couple weeks before I was supposed to sign up, my mother being a veteran of the military found out she could pass on her unused Gi Bill® to her children.” John immediately sought out a reputable school that would accept the Gi Bill® and found Upper Limit Aviation that was only four hours away.

“I drove to Upper Limit, checked out the facility and talked to them and it was just amazing.  I was excited; the welcoming by Upper Limit let me know this is where I needed to be.  By October 2010 I was enrolled and ready to go, January 10th, on my birthday was my first flight and first day at the school, it was an awesome day and I was thrilled.”

The atmosphere at Upper Limit was extremely inviting for John, it only re-assured him of his desire to be a part of the aviation industry.  The idea of flying a helicopter was powerful for John but it did not come close to the first time he sat inside the cockpit suspended over the horizon in a quarter of a million dollar machine.

“When the only seats you’ve ever sat in has never left ground and all of a sudden you’re just hovering in the air a few feet off the ground it is just exhilarating,” he says.   “Right away once we were flying in the air the instructor gave me a brief on the controls and let me try them out.  I took the pedals and I wagged the tail then he gave me the collective and let me raise and lower the helicopter and then he gave me the cyclic,” says John. ” Within a few hours you’re easily able to fly straight level, to make turns and all of that stuff.”

One aspect he liked was how nice and helpful all of the instructors were.

“I got to know all of the instructors and they were all great guys and all a lot of fun, if you had a question you could walk up to any instructor and they were more than happy to talk to you.  You do have a primary but there’s no set rule that’s what’s great about Upper Limit Aviation if you have a question or your instructor is out of town you still have the chance to go do any of your flights or any of the ground that you need to do, you have plenty of other instructors to go to for that.”

Learning to fly a helicopter was challenging for Tom John but nothing he was not ready to face head on.  The support of his instructor made him feel safe enough to step outside of his comfort zone.

“Coming to our airport where we trained and having my first opportunity hovering was the most difficult but exciting thing that I’ve ever done and I know I could do it because the first day doing it you could see a little bit of progress.  It was very cool to have the instructor there who was like a wizard, I would lose complete control of the aircraft and in a blink of an eye he would have it right back over the spot and say all right man, try it again.”

It did not take John long to make his way through the entire program.  In the matter of a year and a half he had his Private, Commercial, Instrument, and Instructor certifications.  Before he knew it he was teaching students from the same seat that just a year prior his instructor was teaching him. “I try my best to be as high-quality as I can, I feel that I’m appreciated and I do all I can to teach my students what they need to know to make it through the program. I have sent more than 10 students for their check-ride (exam) and they have all passed.”

John tries to be encouraging and inviting when asked about what he does for his career.  He takes every opportunity to share information with people who might like to get in the aviation industry.

“I’ve always felt like I didn’t want to be the guy who is like I’m just a pilot because that’s just not the greatest way of starting a conversation. When somebody does asks you what you do and you say I’m helicopter flight instructor it is an eyebrow raiser, they’re very interested and excited,” says John. “The big thing is my family, there thrilled, they couldn’t be happier.  They see the pictures they have seen me fly and it’s amazing to feel that I’m making them proud and I’m going to continue to try to do that.”

22 Year Old Finding Helicopter Tour Pilot Jobs

After talking with people he has even had people come by to take him up on the intro flight that the school offers after talking to him about what it’s like to be a helicopter pilot.

“I’ve had a few people come out and take the intro flight just after talking to them randomly in a store. I got to take them up on a flight and immediately they loved it, after flying for a few moments they are actually able to take the controls and see what it’s like to fly for themselves.”

Upper Limit has given John a chance to build enough hours to move on to his next step in the Helicopter Community. At only 22-years-old he will be a 135-tour pilot for the Tier One tour company Maverick Helicopters. After his daily pilot meeting he will step into his office ‘flying over the Grand Canyon’ where he will provide a unique view, with people from around the world.

“The accomplishment of knowing you have what it takes to be a rated pilot, nothing beats that. It’s hard work, everyone thinks it’s just flying but there is a lot of studying to it but if you want to do it and you’re committed it is a great opportunity and Upper Limit is the way to go.”

Get Started With Your Flight Training Today

You can get started today by filling out our online application. If you would like more information, you can call us at (801) 596-7722.

Cabri G2 Helicopter: Does it Compete with the Robinson R22?

The new Cabri G2 is a three blade rotor system that has an innovative design that some industry specialists say has the potential to compete with the Robinson R22 in the flight training aircraft market.

The Cabri helicopter was made possible due to the genius of Bruno Guimbal, who was one of the key design engineers at Eurocopter. Bruno wanted to develop an aircraft that had a small piston engine but had the safety levels of a turbine aircraft. His work helped small aircraft designers take advantage of the superior flight features of the larger turbine helicopters.

We stacked the two helicopter’s specifications (Cabri G2 & Robinson R22) side by side in the table below to help evaluate some of the important factors in these two aircraft. It appears that in a few critical areas the Cabri keeps pace with the R22 but the Robinson R22 is the most affordable helicopter, has the highest density altitude performance and has a well known reputation for reliability. Until the Cabri G2 has flown throughout the world from flight training exercises to pipeline patrol and until the Cabri G2 can document sustained performance, low cost and reliability, the flight training helicopter of choice will remain the Robinson R22.

Specification Cabri G2 Robinson R22
Engine Lycoming O360 Lycoming O360
Horsepower 145 hp 131 hp
Max Cruise Speed 100 kts 96 kts
Empty Weight 946 lbs 855 lbs
Max Gross Weight 1540 lbs 1370 lbs
Fuel Capacity 45 gallons 30 gallons
Hover Ceiling IGE 5000 ft (@ 1540 lbs) 9400 ft (@ 1370 lbs)
Hover Ceiling  7500 ft (@ 170 lbs + 2 hrs fuel) 8000 ft (@ 1300 lbs)
Range 250 nautical miles (15 min reserve) 380 nautical miles (no reserve)
Price (New) $355,000 US $240,000 US
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You can get started today by filling out our online application. If you would like more information, you can call us at (801) 596-7722.

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