Robinson R44 Helicopter Pilot Training in St. Louis

Learn to Fly - Or Brush Up on Your Skills

Midwest Aeronautical Helicopter Services provides helicopter flight training services for pilots (and aspiring pilots) in St. Louis, Missouri. Train with Charlie Duchek, the most experienced Robinson Flight Instructor in the entire region - with over 6,500 hours instructing in Robinson Helicopters.

There is ABSOLUTELY NO ONE in the St. Louis, MO area more experienced as a helicopter flight instructor in more makes and models of piston-powered training helicopters.

Now Offering Helicopter Instrument Training!

N600SR Instruments and Avionics Panel

Midwest Aeronautical is proud to offer pilot training for a helicopter instrument rating and/or helicopter Certified Flight Instructor instrument rating (CFII) in our beautiful, low time R44 instrument trainer. Our aircraft, N600SR, is equipped with state-of-the-art instrument rated avionics including vertical card compass, ELT & touch-screen GPS

Complete Flight Training Services

Individual Pilot Training

Helicopter flight training for students seeking Private Pilot, Commercial, Instrument and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII) ratings

SFAR-73 Transition Training

Robinson transition training to meet FAA Special Flight Regulations (SFAR-73)

Periodic Flight Reviews

Annual and biennial flight reviews as required under FAA SFAR-73 regulations

R44 Refresher Training

Recurrent and refresher training flights for R44 pilots and helicopter owners

Pilot Time-Building

Low rates to build logbook time in the R44 to meet flight instructor requirements

Autorotation Training

Learn and practice full-touchdown autorotations

Helicopter Instrument Training

Earn a helicopter instrument rating

Instrument Instructor (CFII-H) Training

Become certified as a rotorcraft Instrument Instructor

Insurance Check-Out Flights

Authorized pilot evaluations to meet requirements for the Robinson Insurance Program

Add-On Ratings for Fixed Wing Pilots

Helicopter flight training for existing airplane pilots

Competitive Training Rates

Our training rates in the R44 are competitive with what other flight schools charge for training in a two-seat R22 helicopter.

R44 Dual Instruction
(Private Pilot, Commercial & CFI Training)
$525/hour
R44 Dual Instrument Instruction
(Instrument & CFII Training)
$525/hour
NEW! R44 Introductory Training Flight
1-hour Discounted Demo Flight
$500
Classroom Instruction
(Ground School & Checkride Preparation)
$50/hour

Compare to $550-$650 per hour elsewhere

Schedule a Training Flight. Contact Us Today!

Charlie Duchek with R44 600SR

Meet Your Flight Instructor

Why train with Charlie Duchek?

Instructor Experience

Charlie Duchek has trained helicopter pilots since 1991. Charlie owned and operated the largest independent helicopter pilot training facility in the Midwest. Midwest Aeronautical provided helicopter flight training to hundreds of students and pilots at Spirt of St. Louis Airport (KSUS) for over 20 years.

Logged Flight Experience

Charlie earned his airplane and helicopter ratings in 1986, almost 30 years ago. He has logged over 8,790 hours of flight time in airplanes and helicopters, including over 7,980 hours in helicopters (Over 6,500 of those hours as a flight instructor in Robinson helicopters).

FAA-DPE Experience

Charlie served as an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) from 2000 through 2004, performing his duties on behalf of the FAA in a professional and responsible manner and administering over 60 flight tests on behalf of the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

Area's Top Instructor

Charlie is the ONLY local Helicopter Flight Instructor with: Over 4,200 hours in the Robinson R22 helicopter. Over 2,720 hours in the Robinson R44 helicopter. Over 600 hours in the Schweizer 300-series helicopters. Over 300 hours in the Bell 47 helicopter. (Robinson and Schweizer helicopters are the most-used training helicopters in the world.)

Testimonials

  • Charlie Duchek and his staff are the best possible choice I could have made for helicopter flight training. Safety is emphasized throughout and Charlie has the gift of being able to teach all the skills you need to become a proficient, safe, confident helicopter pilot. There is a certain magical feeling to flying helicopters that Charlie and his group are able to impart to all their students. I am a 55 year old jeweler who was fortunate enough to find Charlie, his skills and his patience. I would recommend him to all those who care to "share the magic."

    Roger Doyle - Past Helicopter Student
  • Charlie and his staff are the best group of instructors I have ever come across.The aircraft are the cleanest and best maintained I have seen. They always take the time to explain a question in clear understandable language.

    Chuck Talent - Past Helicopter Student
  • The process of picking the right flight school is the most important decision you will make regarding your flight training. Midwest's instructors are extremely knowledgeable and professional, and really care about your progress toward your certificate. I am 100% satisfied with the training I received from Midwest. Whether it is for a career or personal enjoyment, Midwest can help make your dreams of helicopter flying a reality. I would recommend them to anyone.

    Chad Boyd - Past Helicopter Student
Midwest Aeronautical Robinson R44 N600SR
Our Aircraft

Gorgeous, Low-Time R44 Training Ship

Midwest offers pilot training in a beautiful Robinson R44 Raven I helicopter. Recently overhauled and equipped with state-of-the-art avionics.

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Charlie Duchek with Bell 407 jet helicopter
About Us

The Most Experienced CFI in St. Louis

Chief Pilot Charlie Duchek is the area's most experienced flight instructor in various makes and models of piston-powered helicopters.

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