Introductory Helicopter Lesson

The Groupon deal has sold out. However, intro flights are available at your convenience at our standard rate of $225 per hour. Please call 781-274-6322 to book. Please do some reading and then show up prepared for a one-on-one ground school followed immediately by a flight. We also offer sightseeing rides over downtown Boston.

Thank you for buying a Groupon introductory helicopter lesson. We hope that this will be your first step into the big fraternity of American aviation. This is the greatest country in the world for flying, with more than 613,000 active licensed pilots, 15,000 airports, and more than 200,000 private aircraft (150,000 of which are purely personal). Because private aviation is so popular here, the U.S. has the world's lowest prices for rental aircraft, which puts aviation within the reach of any middle-class American.

East Coast Aero Club has been operating at Hanscom Field since 1985. We've served more than 6000 customers, currently operate more than 30 rental aircraft, employ 25 flight instructors, and fly hundreds of traffic reporting flights every year for Boston-area radio and television stations. To learn more about the flight school, watch this interview with a customer or this tour of the club.

What's it like?

Here are a few interviews with people who took ground school and flew on March 27, 2010:

Step 1: Read

Do the introductory reading recommended in our "preparing for your first lesson" page. We'll ask you the "study questions" at the bottom of the reading list when you book your seat in ground school. Our pre-ground school page explains why the FAA requires a bit of study prior to flying a helicopter. The pre-reading is important because most of the class is students answering questions and then there is a 25-question final exam (more challenging than the study questions).

If you find yourself bored to tears by the reading and think that our ground school would be even worse, you can convert your lesson Groupon into a ride.

Step 2: Book

Once you've done the reading and can answer the study questions with confidence, use our online scheduler (below) to book a convenient time for ground school. Ground school will be an interactive discussion mostly about the material that you've read, but also covering some information specific to the Robinson R44 helicopter that you'll be flying (our pre-ground school page gives an outline of the course). Click the magnifying glass icon next to that slot and then click on "New Reservation". From here you'll enter your study question answers as well as contact information (important in case we need to reschedule).

If you don't see a convenient time on the schedule above, please check this page in a week or two. We add classes constantly as people complete their reading and fill up the existing classes.

Need to reschedule? Don't bother canceling your old reservation. Just make a new one. There is no need to call us or email.

Step 3: Attend

Please arrive on time for your ground school class, which will be done in a small group. If everyone arrives prepared with the reading and on time, the actual instruction/discussion can be accomplished within two hours. There is a coffee break in the middle and an exam after the ground school, so allow closer to three hours before you're signed off to fly.

Hanscom Field in Bedford (Google Map) is one mile northwest of the intersection of Route 2 and Route 128 (Interstate 95). Take exit 30B to route 2A West and follow signs for Hanscom Field/Civil Air Terminal, which will be on the right. Continue straight down the access road and park in the lot on your left. Walk into the Civil Air Terminal and turn right. East Coast Aero Club is on the first floor, down the hall on the left (after the rental car counters and cafe). Classes will typically be held in a conference room on the third floor. Hanscom Field should be in your car's GPS system, but you can also type in the street address: 200 Hanscom Drive, Bedford, MA 01730.

As noted on our pre-ground school page, all materials for the course are supplied except for a pen. Feel free to bring a friend to the ground school class.

If you're not feeling well, don't feel adequately prepared with the reading yet, or are tired, please stay home and rest up. No need to call our office. You are welcome to use this online tool to book a later ground school date at your convenience. Your coupon isn't used until you actually fly.

Step 4: Fly

At the end of the ground school course, you'll be scheduled for a one-on-one flight with an FAA-certified instructor. Due to the fickle Boston weather and the logistical challenges of scheduling 2600 customers into 2 helicopters, it is unlikely that your flight will be the same day as the ground school class.

Step 5: Fly Some More

If you enjoy the challenge of your first lesson and want to continue flight training, please see our standard training page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a friend?: Friends are welcome in ground school. The back seat of a helicopter being flown by a brand new student pilot is not a very friendly place for a passenger. They will typically get sick or terrified or both. Thus all of our intro lessons are just one student and one instructor. After your second or third lesson it might be time to invite a friend to ride in the back seat.
Will I actually be handling the controls?: Yes! This is the only way to learn. Your ground school will prepare you to safely manipulate the controls of a helicopter. The machine has dual controls, so the instructor will be able to help with the more difficult maneuvers.
Is there an age limit?: The FAA requires a pilot to be 16 years of age prior to solo flight. For this Groupon we welcome mature teenagers aged 14 and above.
What about sightseeing?: We do offer sightseeing tours. Please visit bostonhelicoptertours.com
What about airplanes?: We have more than 30 airplanes and 20 airplane instructors. Please see the club's home page for information about learning to fly airplanes with us.