Helicopter Institute Inc. along with our Team SkyWarrior partners are pleased to announce that we have been selected as the first-ever contractor solution provider for the Department of the Navy initial helicopter pilot training.

In an unprecedented move, the Department of the Navy has taken steps to evaluate outsourcing a portion of their initial helicopter flight training. Known as Contractor Only Pilot Training – Rotary or COPTR, the Naval Air Training Command (NATC) is evaluating contractor-based solutions to support their existing helicopter training programs.

“The COPTR small group tryout of 48 volunteer students represents the most innovative change in the last 40 years to how the Navy and Coast Guard trains helicopter pilots. It is also the first commercial teaming effort for initial helicopter training ever for the Department of the Navy.” Says Col. Anthony “FES” Krockel, USMC, Commodore, Training Air Wing FIVE. “In the event of a crisis, the Naval Aviation Training Command may need to partner with industry to quickly develop proficient military aviators. This effort represents a first step in developing this capability.”

The COPTR program provides a path for future Navy and Coast Guard helicopter pilots to enter directly into helicopter pilot training without the long-standing tradition of initially training in fixed wing.

“I look forward to working with Helicopter Institute to more quickly develop the world’s finest naval helicopter aviators in the world.” Says Col. Krockel.

The Navy’s COPTR program will utilize the Bell 206B Jet Ranger helicopter with training operations being conducted in Fort Worth, Texas. After COPTR program completion, the Student Naval Aviators (SNA) will then move on to NAS Whiting Field to continue their helicopter pilot training program.

“To say that Helicopter Institute and Team SkyWarrior partners are humbled to have been selected for the COPTR study would be an understatement. It is an honor to serve our nation’s warfighters.” Says Randy Rowles, President, Helicopter Institute Inc.

“The training of military helicopter pilots is not new to the North Texas region around Fort Worth. From 1956 to 1973, more than 46,000 military helicopter pilots were trained locally for all branches of service accumulating 5.6 million flight hours of helicopter pilot training during that period. AŌer more than five decades, North Texas is glad to welcome them back!” says Rowles.