Quality Score
Fair
Base (15) + components above = 61
About
Smoketown Helicopters is a veteran family-owned helicopter and airplane flight training school located at Smoketown Airport in Lancaster, PA. They offer helicopter and airplane training, sightseeing tours of Lancaster County, and aerial services. They are also a Robinson Service Center.
Estimated PPL Training Cost
| Line item | Hours | Rate (range) | Subtotal (range) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robinson R22 HP (cheapest in fleet) | 70h | $150 – $600/hr | $10,500 – $42,000 |
| Flight instruction (dual) | 42h | $35 – $130/hr | $1,375 – $5,450 |
| Ground instruction | 20h | $35 – $130/hr | $650 – $2,600 |
| Estimated Total Range | $12,500 – $50,100 | ||
Instruction Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Training for a Private Pilot Certificate at Smoketown Helicopters is estimated to cost $12,500 – $50,100. to see the full breakdown with exact aircraft rental and instructor rates.
No, Smoketown Helicopters operates under Part 61. Training is self-paced: you and your instructor set the curriculum rather than following a pre-approved syllabus. The FAA minimum for a Private Pilot Certificate under Part 61 is 40 flight hours, though most students need 60 to 70.
No, Smoketown Helicopters does not have a Designated Pilot Examiner on staff. When you're ready for your checkride, you'll need to book with an independent DPE. Ask the school if they can point you to one nearby.
Smoketown Helicopters's training fleet includes the Robinson R44 Raven I (Raven I), Robinson R22 HP, and Robinson R22 Beta. Having multiple types in the fleet keeps your training on track if one plane is down for maintenance. Ask the school about current availability and any additional charges per aircraft.
No flight simulators are listed for Smoketown Helicopters. Some schools have basic Aviation Training Devices that may not be in our database. Ask them directly.
No, Smoketown Helicopters does not charge a fuel surcharge. The published rental rates are your actual hourly cost.