- Jamie Brander - WA
"Upon deciding to take on the journey to become a helicopter pilot there were many options around the country but nothing excited me more than learning to fly in the Kimberley. AHA offered invaluable experience learning to fly and operate in remote areas with incredible sceneries. Being in a class of 3 meant I had direct and uninterrupted access to my instructors. It wasn’t until I began my training with AHA that I realised how devoted the instructors were to not only my education but my longevity in this new career I was undertaking.
With their classroom based inside an operational hangar we had access to view and understand helicopters onsite as well as a wealth of knowledge from the entire AHA and HeliSpirit team, willing to engage and educate us. The whole team was incredibly supportive and welcoming from the moment we arrived.
The quality of training we received was extremely high with a wide range of experience being applied from the instructors.
The opportunity for work as a junior pilot upon completion of the AHA training is invaluable as gaining employment at the beginning of your flying career can be very difficult.
I would highly recommend AHA to any aspiring pilots looking to receive in-depth and practical training in a beautiful part of the country." - Harry Shaw - ACT
"Highlights of the training has to be the training locations available to AHA. There is everything from open paddocks to tight gorges to remote pinnacles. Everywhere is stunning and with a bit of rain waterfalls pop up everywhere. I would 100% recommend AHA to people looking to get there CPL. Being in the Kimberley means you don't waste any time with controlled airspace, get to explore stunning areas and have top tier instructors as well as the added bonus of working side by side HeliSpirit and gaining an understanding of how a commercial operator works and the potential for employment straight out of training!" - Dan - QLD
Originally from Brisbane, I came across AHA while doing research about helicopter career opportunities in Australia. Training alongside the engineers, current pilots and admin teams made a big sway in my decision to apply.Some highlights of my training at AHA include being part of a small class and having very individually focused training with incredible instructors who could tailor to my needs.I would highly recommend training with AHA for a wider scope of learning and the incredible flying opportunities on offer in the Kimberley. - Stellar Maeve - SA
"AHA is one of the hardest, most rewarding, and enjoyable three months you’ll ever experience.
Becoming a pilot once felt like an “out there” dream, but working in aviation showed me that with dedication and training, it’s absolutely achievable. I asked every pilot I knew, how they got their licence and where they’d train if they had their time again- Australian Helicopter Academy was the clear standout, so I reached out and eventually started my training.
It’s hard to fully describe the experience of learning to fly with AHA in the Kimberley. You’re training in one of the most incredible environments imaginable, flying over waterfalls, Kununurra, Lake Argyle, the Cockburn Ranges and much more, all while taking in more knowledge than you ever thought possible. It’s an unforgettable way to begin a career!
A big part of that comes down to the instructors. They bring years of experience, not just in teaching but flying in the Kimberley itself. Their deep understanding of the terrain and conditions really shows, and it makes a huge difference to the quality of training you receive" - Sam Bleakley - VIC
"The decision was easy for me when choosing to do my training with AHA. They have experienced instructors who have incredible experience in all areas of the helicopter industry such as long lining, fire fighting, mustering etc. Being exposed to a large helicopter business has also been brilliant as you get real insight into how a professional helicopter company is run and what they expect from a professional pilot.
Having LAME’s and Avionics engineers on hand has been a huge bonus as they gave me a solid understanding to the ins and outs of a wide range of aircraft. Most of all l was influenced with the scenario based flying and the attention to detail that AHA provide so I can become a true professional in the industry." - Callum MacKellar - WA
"I couldn’t recommend AHA highly enough. The training environment fully immerses you in the industry which helps endlessly in learning all that is required to get your licence. The people involved in the training and the HeliSpirit employees made the entire process an unforgettable experience."
