Utah Helicopter Schools - Rates
Upper Limit Aviation is able to provide rides for a range of events. Helicopter rides from a helicopter flight training school is a great promotional tool for businesses, fundraisers and state and county fairs. Or perhaps you are looking to provide your employees with a unique company “bonus.” ULA will custom tailor the ride to your specific needs
General Rates: Photo Shoots
R-44 Raven II $500.00 per hour
R-22 Beta II $300.00 per hour
** with the unstable, uncertain and fluctuating fuel prices of the past couple of years, ULA reserves the right, if necessary, to include a fuel surcharge. The surcharge for the R-44 is $30.00 per hour and the fuel surcharge for the R-22 is $25.00 per hour.
General Rates: Tours
Bell 206 B3 Jet Ranger $915.00 per hour
*Seats: 3-4 passengers
*Seats: 2-3 passengers
*Depending on weight.
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ULA rents R-22 helicopters to pilots that meet ULA's strict standards of competence.
Helicopter Rental Requirements
For a complete list of rental helicopters and their insurance requirements, please ask to see the Helicopter Rental Requirements folder at the front desk.
You must meet the following requirements before Upper Limit Aviation will release a helicopter into your possession:
- Personal possession of your commercial pilot certificate and current medical.
- Proof of attendance at The Robinson Factory Safety Course.
- Proof of current flight review as shown in your files or log book.
- Proof of day and night currency for carrying passengers (if applicable).
- Check of your account status (no flying if a balance is due).
Checkout Requirements
Before renting a helicopter from Upper Limit Aviation, you must satisfy the following checkout requirements:
- Possess the experience and qualifications required by insurance for the type of helicopter rented.
- Present to Upper Limit Aviation personnel your original medical certificate, pilot’s license, logbook records showing last Flight Review and experience in the type of helicopter you want to rent. Copies of the applicable documents will be kept on file by the office and must be updated by you as needed.
- Complete an open book questionnaire on the make and model of helicopter to be flown. This form must be signed and dated by the Instructor who performs the checkout.
- Demonstrate to a Upper Limit Aviation instructor the proficiency required to safely operate the helicopter in question, regardless of the experience that you may have as a pilot.
Upon satisfaction/completion of these requirements, an Upper Limit Aviation flight instructor will complete an endorsement in your file stating which helicopter you are qualified to rent.
Checkout Procedures
Checkout procedures are required by our insurance company, Upper Limit Aviation, and the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”). A separate checkout for each make and model of helicopter is mandatory. The only exception is for previous experience logged in a similar helicopter, as determined by our instructor.
When scheduling a checkout, allow sufficient time to complete the helicopter questionnaire specific to the helicopter being flown. The questionnaire is an open book quiz, testing knowledge from the POH. It normally takes between thirty minutes to one hour to complete.
After you complete the questionnaire, your flight instructor will review the answers. Additionally, he/she will brief you on local procedures and proficiency requirements. A standard checkout requires a minimum of one flight hour; however, depending upon prior experience, a full hour may not be required. The actual checkout time required is at the discretion of the flight instructor.
Upon completion of the checkout procedures, feel free to rent a helicopter at your leisure.
A recurrently check will be required if you have not rented the same or similar make and model of helicopter within the past ninety days from Upper Limit Aviation. This check does require a demonstration of proficiency to a flight instructor and a refresher of the standard operating procedures.
Federal Aviation Regulation (“FAR”) Part 91 requires you to have performed three takeoffs and landings within the past ninety days, before you may carry passengers. The same is required for night flight. Additionally, if you are instrument rated, you must meet the requirements of FAR Part 61 to file an instrument flight plan or to fly in IMC.
Helicopter and Instructor Rates
The current rental and instructor rates are posted at Upper Limit Aviation and are subject to change from time to time. Billing of flight time is done directly from the Hobbs meter of each helicopter multiplied by the hourly rate of the helicopter. Flight/Ground Instructor’s time is billed out at the discretion of the instructor multiplied by the hourly rate. Please check your Hobbs meter for the correct reading before each flight, as this will prevent you from being charged extra time if there was a discrepancy in the beginning. Notify the office personnel before departure if you find such a discrepancy. If the Hobbs meter is inoperative, the time from the tachometer will be multiplied by 1.2 for local flights and 1.1 for cross-country flights for billing purposes.
Insurance Coverage
Upper Limit Aviation carries insurance coverage as the owner/operator of the helicopter. This coverage is a minimum amount of $1 million combined single limit of liability for bodily injury and property damage, with a sub-limit of $100,000 per passenger for passenger legal liability, as well as $3,000 medical coverage per person. Normally, this coverage does not protect the renter pilot in the event that action is sought against the renter pilot as well as the owner/operator. You may contact the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association known as AOPA to apply for helicopter renter's insurance. They provide insurance on a case by case basis. You must be at least 25 years old to apply.
In the unfortunate event of an accident, the deductible amount for which the pilot is responsible is as follows: one half for pilot in command and one half for Upper Limit Aviation. However, as a renter pilot you will be responsible for paying all costs for any loss or damage to the helicopter caused by your failure to comply with all of the policies set forth by Upper Limit Aviation, state and local safety regulations, or the FARs. If you are responsible for any loss or damage caused by your negligence, gross negligence, or willful misconduct, you shall indemnify Upper Limit Aviation and hold it harmless from and against any liability to other persons and any costs, damages, or loss, including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising from your use of the helicopter. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO PURCHASE INSURANCE TO COVER THIS LIABILITY, WHICH YOU MAY HAVE TO SATISFY OUT OF YOUR PERSONAL ASSETS.
Scheduling
It is recommended that you phone prior to your flight to confirm your schedule and helicopter status.
The scheduling of helicopters is on a first-come-first-served basis. You may schedule your helicopter either in person or by phone. Upper Limit Aviation has several policies in place to regulate the use of helicopters so that we may meet as many pilot needs as possible. When scheduling a helicopter, we ask each pilot to be courteous of others by not scheduling more than one helicopter for any one time and not scheduling a helicopter any longer than it will actually be used. If your flight is delayed for some unforeseen or unavoidable problem be sure to call Upper Limit Aviation and let them know so that schedules may be adjusted. Failure to do so may result in your being charged for another pilot’s lost flight time. Upper Limit Aviation regrets, but is not responsible for, lost flight time due to another pilot’s actions or down time because a helicopter requires maintenance. Every effort will be made to return helicopters under maintenance to service as soon as possible. However, our number one consideration is safety. If a scheduling or maintenance problem arises, we will attempt to notify you of the helicopter’s current status.
Each pilot is responsible for scheduling the helicopter and instructor, if necessary, for the same time. If you have to cancel, be sure to cancel both the helicopter and instructor time. Cancellations should be made as soon as possible to free up the helicopter. We require a minimum of twenty four hours notice for you to avoid paying fees. For each ‘no show’, the pilot will be billed for the time scheduled at the scheduled rate, together with a no show fee as described in Upper Limit Aviation’s Standard Operating Procedures. Failure to cancel is a common occurrence among pilots who schedule flights far in advance. Please be conscious of the dates and times you schedule in an effort to avoid any problems. If you’re running late please call us. Your helicopter may be released to someone else if you arrive more than 30 minutes after your scheduled time.
When scheduling a helicopter over a 24 hour period or longer, a minimum of four hours rental is required during each 24 hour period. If the minimum time requirements are not met, you may be charged for the remaining hours at the dry rental rate.
Our primary training helicopter is the R22 Beta II. This helicopter is used cross country strictly for training, and is not to be used for overnight flights. Exceptions may be granted by Upper Limit Aviation management, however, we recommend that you use other aircraft for personal cross country trips.
Helicopter Operations
When renting a helicopter we ask that you treat it as you would treat your own. You must observe all applicable FARs, state and local air safety regulations, and all safety and operating procedures set forth by Upper Limit Aviation.
Upon your arrival at the airport, Upper Limit Aviation personnel will issue you the helicopter metal can, maintenance logs and keys to the helicopter for which you are scheduled. You may also be issued other items, i.e. checklist, fuel tester, etc. These are to be returned with the keys at the end of your flight. Pilots may be billed for the loss of these items if not returned to the flight school. After receiving your keys, we require that you record a flight plan with Upper Limit Aviation before proceeding to the helicopter. If your flight is more than 50 miles, we additionally require that an FAA flight plan be filed. Please do not forget to close your flight plan.
You must make a thorough inspection of the helicopter and its equipment and accessories before departure and you must be personally satisfied with the airworthiness of your helicopter. If you accept the helicopter after this inspection you are certifying that there is no damage (cosmetic or otherwise) to it, and you will be held responsible, and billed accordingly, for any damage found upon your return of the helicopter to Upper Limit Aviation. Any issues or problems should be brought to the attention of Upper Limit Aviation and recorded in detail on the discrepancy sheet on the clipboard, before the flight begins. Our maintenance personnel may defer for later action items that do not affect the airworthiness of the helicopter that cannot be repaired or replaced immediately. Items that directly affect the airworthiness of the helicopter will be referred to maintenance personnel and the helicopter will be grounded until the required maintenance can be performed.
Remember to check the helicopter Hobbs/tach time against the Helicopter Data Sheet in the metal can. There are specific Airworthiness Directives that may apply to your helicopter when the helicopter reaches its next 50 or 100-hour inspection. Flying beyond these inspection times may result in heavy fines from the FAA. Upper Limit Aviation holds the pilot in command responsible for any such infraction and the penalty imposed. Also, please be aware of your fuel on board and make certain your weight and balance are within limits. Do not rely on fuel gauges to calculate fuel on board.
Operation of the helicopter will be done only in day VFR weather unless you are specifically licensed and current for night and/or instrument flight. Night departures from the Wendover airport are not permitted for non-instrument rated pilots. Absolutely no one other than the renter pilot is permitted to fly the helicopter. Also, instruction is not allowed in Upper Limit Aviation helicopters by anyone other than company-authorized flight instructors. Operations into private airports or unpaved runways are restricted without special authorization from the management or except as necessary for emergency measures. Any such action will be at the risk of the pilot and may negate any insurance coverage. In the event of helicopter trouble away from the helicopter’s home base do not tamper with or attempt to repair any part of the helicopter or its accessories. Upper Limit Aviation management will make arrangements for any repairs as well as the return of the helicopter. The renter pilot will be held responsible for the cost of returning the helicopter to its home base for any reason other than actual malfunction of the helicopter.
Upon return to your home airport, properly secure the helicopter in a tie down spot or hangar. This includes the control lock, tie down chains and the pilot tube cover, if equipped with one. Please exercise extreme caution when putting the helicopter in the hangar. Also, don’t forget to turn off the master switch, record the ending Tach and Hobbs time and lock the doors. You can then return the metal can, paperwork, and keys to Upper Limit Aviation.
Payment Policies
Billing for flight time comes directly from the Hobbs meter of each helicopter. The rental price of Upper Limit Aviation helicopter is a wet rate, which means that fuel is included in the price and is based on the rate posted in the Upper Limit Aviation office (the “Posted Fuel Rate”) When traveling away from your home airport you are responsible for any fuel purchased enroute. Upon your return home, if you provide Upper Limit Aviation with the fuel receipts, you will be reimbursed for the fuel purchased at the actual price paid by you or at the Posted Fuel Rate, whichever is less. This amount will be deducted from the total bill for the helicopter rental.
The terms of payment at Upper Limit Aviation are strictly cash or by accepted charge card unless prior arrangements have been made. Due to the nature of our business and the financial exposure involved with the operation of rental and training helicopters, all rental customers must complete and sign a Credit Authorization Form. Completion of this form does not establish credit with Upper Limit Aviation. Rather, this form allows Upper Limit Aviation to check your credit, employment history or any other information deemed necessary to secure our possible exposure. All credit checks are made through Trans Union Credit Services. Additionally, each renter pilot must have an imprint of a valid credit card on file and must complete the Credit Card Agreement Form which authorizes Upper Limit Aviation to automatically charge your credit card for any outstanding account balance. The maximum fee allowed by law will be charged on each returned check. Payment for flights scheduled after regular business hours are due by the end of the next business day unless arrangements have been made in advance.
You must have not less than $350.00 on account with Upper Limit Aviation prior to using any of our helicopters. In the event your account falls below this amount, your flying will be put on hold and any unpaid balance due to Upper Limit Aviation will begin accumulating interest at the rate of 1.5% per month, 18% annually. This will continue until the account is brought into good standing. Any balance remaining unpaid over 60 days will incur a $20 processing fee as those accounts are handled by Transworld Systems, Inc. We do require that all accounts be in good standing before flight course certificates are issued or FAA check rides are taken.
Refunds will be made in cases of course completion, relocation or other emergencies as determined by Upper Limit Aviation management. Upon request, the amount available for refund will be calculated from the remaining balance less any service charge. The service charge for a refund is $25.00 or 10% of the withdrawn amount, whichever is less. Refunds will be mailed to your current address and require 30 days for processing. Check rides will be performed only when outstanding account balances have been paid in full.
Student Pilot Regulations
There are a number of regulations that pertain specifically to the student who is training for a private pilot certificate. All pilots in training, whether for private or commercial, should request a current copy of Upper Limit Aviation’s FAA approved safety regulations.
Students are more familiar with their schedules and other constraints on their time, therefore we ask the student to be responsible for the scheduling and canceling of the helicopter and the flight/ground instructor.
Students enrolled in college flight courses will be held to a more structured schedule established by their instructors. These course schedules are designed to help the student meet the completion time requirements set by each college.
When a student is performing solo flights, under no circumstances is that student permitted to carry passengers. Solo students will not practice emergency or forced landings, acrobatic maneuvers, nor will flights be conducted in winds in excess of 20 knots. When students are authorized to leave the local area they will not land at any airport unless they have written approval from their flight instructor. The exceptions to these rules are emergencies, adverse weather conditions or under the supervision of the student’s flight instructor.
In order for any student to perform a solo flight, the flight plan and any restrictions that may apply to the flight must be on file at the Upper Limit Aviation office.
We require that when departing the airport for practice, the solo student proceed directly to the local designated practice area when leaving the pattern and likewise upon return. And at all times the student will remain clear of any broken or overcast layer of clouds or fog.
These regulations are in effect for the safety of the student pilot. We wish to emphasize that under no circumstances will any infraction of any of these requirements be tolerated.
Further information on instruction is contained in the Upper Limit Aviation helicopter standardization manual.
