Mike Montgomery

VP, Sales - Pruett Medical
St. Louis, MO

" I have been flying with Midwest for almost two years. I have found all the flight instructors to be very professional and concern for safety is the number one priority. Everyone at Midwest is there because of their love for flying and not just a job. This comes through in their attitude and daily approach to instruction without regard to the rating you may be working on. Everyone is treated with respect."

Dan Triska

ASEL / AMEL, Instrument-Airplane, Rotorcraft-Helicopter
Owner, Triska's A Touch of Class Catering Co.
St. Louis, MO

"I made the transition from Fixed wing to Rotorcraft / Helicopter under the instruction of Charlie. This was back in 1996 when Midwest Helicopter was just a pup. At that time Charlie had a Sweet Piper Arrow that I had the pleasure of flying as well. He and the Midwest team create a great learning, progressive and family-oriented environment. I will try damn near anything once, twice if I like it. Flying with Charlie and getting my Helicopter Rating was one of greatest highlights in my aviation journey. Like Charlie used to say, "'It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on'"

Greg Pernoud, DDS

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Festus, MO

"I trained with Midwest Helicopter and obtained my private pilot rating in helicopters. I have been a Commercial, Instrument, and Multiengine airplane pilot for almost 40 years and have many thousands of hours in aircraft. Needless to say, I have seen many, many, flight instructors through the years. The instructors at Midwest were some of the very best I have had the opportunity to fly with. The are experts in giving concise, safe, to the point instruction, knowing exactly where each student is at every point, thereby getting you through the program as fast as could be done safely. I would highly recommend them to anyone considering helicopter training."

Brennan Wade

Student Pilot
Marshall, MO

"Midwest Aeronautical is an all-around first-class, full-service operation. Charlie and his staff are the best instructors, mentors, and friends a student or any other heliopter pilot could ask for. They helped me all along the way, from finding financial assistance to ideas for employment. I am still working toward higher ratings and I wouldn't want to do it anywhere else."

Ben Welch, MD

Emergency Physician
Danville, IL

"My name is Ben Welch, a fixed wing private pilot with almost 2000 hours total time and with an IFR rating. I fly a Cessna 172 and a Lancair IV P to Hospital sites that I offer my services as an Emergency Dept. Staff Physician. I realized I could reach more facilities, communities without airports, by earning a helicopter rating and purchasing a helicopter. I have gained permission from authorities to build a heliport on my property. Concurrently, I have engaged in taking helicopter training thru Midwest Helicopter at Spirit of St. Louis Airport. The last time I had such a satisfying experience as I am flying the Robinson R-22 Betas (and sometimes the R-44) was when I was building my Lancair. I can't wait for my next lesson!!

"There is just a whole new freedom of flight in flying helicopters! I also can't say enough good things about all the fine, friendly, and professional instructors and instruction I am receiving there. A student is exposed to several instructors but receives most of his / her training with one instructor which I find very effective. I have bonded with Jonathan as that one instructor for me and couldn't be more pleased.

"Thanks for the opportunity to share this with you and I mean every word of it !"

Joe Houser

Student Pilot
South Elgin, IL

"Charlie,

"I just want to express my appreciation to you and your CFI's for the professional training that I received while preparing for my Private Pilot Rotorcraft Certificate. Your staff was always considerate of my hectic schedule, and always made every effort to have an aircraft available when needed. The personalized training that I received focused closely on those areas where I needed improvement, and continuously pushed me to achieve the next level of proficiency as quickly as possible. I have since received my fixed wing add-on through another flight school, and can tell you that Midwest Aeronautical definitely sets the standard for other flight schools to follow."

Roger Doyle

Student Pilot
St. Louis, MO

"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.'"