A new chance to fly high
By Jjaaccpkeire@ Pjuenroo.nconme

Photo by Jackie Peronne Silver State Helicopters came looking for a few good pilots at Owens Field June 21.

When the Silver State Flight School staff invited interested South Carolinians to come to its introductory meeting, they weren't surprised that more than 500 showed up to learn about helicopter pilot training.

"Being a helicopter pilot is one of the most sought- after and promising careers in the world today," according to Jerry Airola, president and CEO of Silver State Helicopters, which is opening its 36th flight training school at Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

Since the Viet Nam conflict, when helicopter service reached its peak, there has been a substantial decline in the number of qualified pilots and the schools to train them. Silver State entered the helicopter service field less than 10 years ago, and found their planes were on the ground much of the time because of a pilot shortage.

"We'll train our own," the executive decided. And Silver State came up with a novel approach to recruiting suitable personnel.

The cost of the two years or so of training is a huge obstacle for many people. They have a plan that provides training without any up- front investment on their part. When the candidate has completed training satisfactorily and meets the standards, the company hires him at a salary of more than $50,000 per year and gives him all the time he needs to pay back the cost of his training. That person then has highly competitive skills and a well- paying job, regardless of his original ability to pay.

Most people think of military service in connection with helicopters. But operations in other areas are vital to law enforcement and communities. Helicopters are excellent for search and rescue, air ambulance, aerial tours, aerial photography, and fire fighting.

The South Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Aeronautics hosted Silver State's introductory meeting at the airport.

"Your state has shown us hospitality and open arms," said Airola. "People here are polite, and gracious. We look forward to being part of this community."

This is their 36th Helicopter Flight Academy in the U.S. Their system has worked well 35 times already, and they expect it to be a success here.

Silver State Helicopters is the largest rotorcraft flight training institution in the world. It is rated 12th on the list of fastest- growing companies in the U.S., No. 1 in aviation in the world, No. 1 in flight academies in the world. By the end of this year, Silver State expects to have 3,400 student pilots enrolled in its schools.

Their Columbia flight training will begin in July. Orientation will be July 16, and classes will commence the next day.

Silver States emphasizes that this is career- move training, not for hobbyists or part- timers. The course will require one and a half to two years for completion. Acceptance in the training is by application, which may be obtained by visiting www.ssheli.com.

Applicants may also visit the Silver States office at Columbia Airport,. 101 Trade Zone Drive, Building B, to pick up an application.