Helicopter Institute

08/26/2026

Customer Story: Leon County Sheriff’s Office | Tallahassee, Florida

More than 50 years of aviation service. A partnership between law enforcement agencies. A continued commitment to training, technology, and readiness.

Helicopter Institute is proud of our longstanding relationship with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit in Tallahassee, Florida.

We just completed Bell 505 initial and recurrent transition training with the LCSO aviation team. Our relationship with Leon County extends across both the Bell 206B and Bell 505, and we are honored that they continue to place their trust in Helicopter Institute for the training of their pilots.

Leon County has an impressive aviation history. Their helicopter operation dates back more than 50 years and today provides airborne support for law enforcement and public safety missions throughout Leon County and the Tallahassee area.

Their mission extends well beyond patrol support. LCSO Aviation supports searches for fleeing suspects, lost and missing persons, SWAT operations, storm damage assessment, emergency response, and other critical missions where an airborne platform can make a tremendous difference.

The unit also represents something we strongly believe in at HI: interagency cooperation.

The Leon County Sheriff’s Office and Tallahassee Police Department work together through an Aviation Task Force, combining personnel and resources to provide greater airborne coverage for the community. Tallahassee Police Department personnel serve in the Tactical Flight Officer program alongside LCSO personnel, creating a truly integrated public safety aviation capability.

Their Bell 505 represents another important chapter in that history. Leon County became the first East Coast public safety operator of the Bell 505, bringing advanced mission equipment, modern avionics, surveillance capability, and NVG compatible cockpit lighting to the unit.

Our relationship does not end when the training flight lands.

We also sincerely appreciate Leon County Sheriff’s Office placing its trust in the Helicopter Institute FAA Part 145 Repair Station for its Night Vision Goggle inspection, maintenance, and repair needs. Maintaining NVGs to the same professional standard expected of the pilots who use them is another important component of keeping these crews mission ready after sunset.

A special thank you to the pilots, Tactical Flight Officers, maintenance personnel, leadership, and everyone associated with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit for the hospitality and continued confidence in our team.

We are proud to play a small part in supporting an aviation program that has spent more than half a century protecting the citizens of Leon County and Tallahassee.

Training. Maintenance. Partnership. Mission Ready.

Improving Helicopter Safety, One Pilot at a Time.

08/19/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

08/13/2026

Planning to attend AMTC in Fort Worth, Texas this year?
Contact us today to enroll ahead of AMTC!

08/13/2026

07/21/2026

Customer Story: HeliJet Solutions | Palm Beach, Florida

At Helicopter Institute, we believe great operators never stop investing in safety, proficiency, and professionalism. That commitment was on full display this week as we had the privilege of returning to HeliJet Solutions in Palm Beach, Florida.

HeliJet Solutions has earned a reputation for delivering first class helicopter services while maintaining an uncompromising commitment to operational excellence. Their continued investment in pilot training reflects a company culture that understands safety is not an event. It is a continuous process.

During this visit, our team completed FAA Part 135 training and checking for three Bell 407 pilots, ensuring continued compliance while sharpening the skills required for real world operations.

We also had the opportunity to support HeliJet’s exciting fleet expansion with two initial pilot training courses and one recurrent course in their newly acquired Sikorsky S76B. The S76B is an outstanding addition to a fleet that already includes the Bell 407 and Leonardo A109S, providing HeliJet with even greater capability to serve customers throughout South Florida.

Training extended well beyond regulatory requirements. Together, we conducted detailed aircraft systems reviews while practicing advanced emergency procedures designed to prepare crews for the unexpected. Watching pilots build confidence while mastering these complex aircraft is always one of the most rewarding aspects of our profession.

One of the highlights of the week is captured in the attached video. It provides a cockpit view of a dual engine autorotation in the Sikorsky S76B. Conducted under controlled training conditions, this maneuver demonstrates the level of preparation, precision, crew coordination, and disciplined decision making required to safely operate sophisticated multi engine helicopters. It is an outstanding example of why realistic, scenario based training remains one of the most valuable investments an operator can make.

A special thank you to the entire HeliJet Solutions team for your professionalism, hospitality, and commitment to excellence. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to support your pilots and look forward to watching your organization continue to grow.

Improving Helicopter Safety, One Pilot at a Time.

07/16/2026

NVG inspections, pilot training or ways to enhance your aviation program, our team is ready to help discuss solutions. We’d love to meet you here at APSCON in Fort Lauderdale, Booth #137.

07/15/2026

SEE YOU TONIGHT IN FORT LAUDERDALE 🚁
WWW.HELICOPTERINSTITUTE.COM
Sentinel OCC

07/15/2026

APSCON 2026 - Will you be there?! Come say hello and let’s talk Helicopters and training!