Specialty Training Programs

Brazos Helicopters now offers the FIRST offshore training program for entry level helicopter pilots.  Whether you are just leaving the military and testing the waters, no pun intended, or a pilot looking for training to set yourself ahead of the pack, this program is for you.  Your training will cover a wide variety of helicopter offshore oil support platforms and flight procedures, and will provide thorough detail of the day-to-day regimen of offshore living and flying before taking that job offshore.    

Gulf Operations "GO" Program

Due to the increasing demand for second-in-command (copilots) for Gulf of Mexico and North Sea offshore oil support operations, Brazos Helicopters has added two programs to allow our students to bypass the normal flight instructor track to building the 400 to 500 hour requirements of offshore companies for these kinds of jobs. 

Our first program, called the GO Program is tailored to one company’s requirement of 500 hours of helicopter time for employment as a second-in-command pilot.  Some companies require 500 hours and prefer that the candidate have extensive instrument dual and instrument skills in various styles of instrument configurations such as a glass cockpit environment and the use of Garmin 430 and 530 GPS systems.  This program incorporates 80 additional hours of instrument flight instruction, tailored to Gulf style instrument operations, and the remainder of the 500 hours is done as instrument practice and riding as a safety pilot.   Also inclusive in this program is extensive training in Gulf of Mexico operations including specialty takeoff and landing techniques, offshore style instrument approaches, and platform operations.  Much of the flight time on this program is done with the use of modern glass cockpit instrumentation and a Garmin 530 GPS system.  We estimate 9 months to finish this program.  This program adds approximately $42,600 to the normal flight instructor program which currently requires $57,500 to finish.

Extended Instrument Program

The second option is the Extended Instrument Program.  It is tailored for general requirements for employment as a second-in-command pilot for most of the other offshore operators.  The student, after completing the commercial and instrument ratings, starts building 400 hours of helicopter time much as the same as the "GO" Program.  There are periodic stage checks to track student progress but little dual instruction is needed unless a problem area is detected.  The student will still receive some flight time with the glass cockpit equipment and the 530 GPS but not as much emphasis on the Gulf procedures and techniques.  This program adds approximately $32,500 to the student’s training costs and about 6 months to finish.

EMS/Aeromedical Training Program

Brazos Helicopters offers  a complete course on helicopter air ambulance operations for pilots wishing to enter that field.  Hospital and medical crew etiquette, scene and hospital takeoffs and landings, radio communications, medical equipment, interfacility transports, state and federal regulations, hazards, and normal procedures will all be covered in the program.  Some night flying will be necessary to complete the program. 

General Info About Specialty Programs

A thorough class in FAR Part 135 operations, all ground instruction,  5 hours of flight time, and course materials are included in the package price of $3600, for each program, which is to be paid at or before the start of classes.  Some finance options are available so take a look at our Financing Page.  Lodging and transportation will need to be obtained prior to the start of classes and Brazos can assist the student with these needs.

Contact Brazos at 254-857-9260 for class schedules and other details.

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