Episode #162: Training, Culture, and the Helicopter Brotherhood | Hillsboro Heli Academy - The Helicopter Podcast

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Jamie and Jared from Hillsboro Heli Academy for a wide-ranging conversation about helicopter training, pilot culture, and what keeps people connected to the industry long after their first flight.The discussion explores how shared experiences in helicopters create lasting bonds, forming a brotherhood and sisterhood that spans backgrounds, countries, and career paths. Jamie and Jared talk about the realities of helicopter training, the importance of staying nimble in aviation careers, and how a strong network often shapes where pilots end up next.The episode also dives into Hillsboro’s role in international training, including why so many European students choose to train in the U.S., and how dual certification with the Federal Aviation Administration and European Union Aviation Safety Agency has created a clearer path into the industry. Along the way, the group reflects on instruction as a uniquely rewarding experience, the long-standing role of Robinson helicopters in training, and the responsibility flight schools have in building a positive, supportive culture.From memorable early flights to the future of helicopter training, this episode highlights why the aviation community remains tightly connected — and why, once the helicopter bug bites, it’s hard to ever fully walk away.Thank you to our sponsors, Robinson Helicopter, Vertical Aviation International and Hillsboro Heli Academy.