Australian Helicopter Academy (AHA) is a specialised helicopter flight training facility located in Kununurra, Western Australia. Affiliated with HeliSpirit, AHA provides Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) training with the aim of employing students on completion. Training is conducted alongside the day-to-day operations of HeliSpirit, with students gaining a first-hand insight into one of Australia’s most successful and exciting helicopter businesses.

With new facilities, including a study room and modern classroom which overlooks the busy maintenance facility of HeliSpirit, it is an exciting place to learn to fly. AHA operates a fleet of immaculate training helicopters including the Robinson R22 and R44.

The AHA is very fortunate to have one of the most spectacular training environments anywhere in Australia with a great diversity of terrain and an unlimited number of off-field landing sites right on the doorstep of the airport.

AHA instructors are experienced professional helicopter pilots whose daily work includes; check & training, aerial survey, aerial-ignition/firefighting, remote charter including various government departments, VIP multi-day adventure flights, tourism, and much more. They will share their industry knowledge with students through quality instruction as a result of the thousands of flight hours under their belts.

The Australian Helicopter Academy use only highly experienced instructor pilots to train students in one of the most spectacular yet challenging environments in Australia, with the intention of offering employment to them at the completion of their training.

HeliSpirit currently operates 25 helicopters from the Robinson R22 to the Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter) AS350 Squirrel. It employs approximately 35 helicopter pilots each tourist season (from March to October) to primarily conduct scenic flights from remote bases around the Northern Territory and Western Australia, making it one of the largest employers of new pilots in Australia.

For more information on the wide range of services offered and locations, visit helispirit.com.au

HeliSpirit’s selection criteria is based on flying skills, attitude, professionalism, teamwork and an overarching commitment to high levels of safety. Well developed people skills and friendly customer service are attributes necessary in HeliSpirit commercial pilots. Australian Helicopter Academy will shape you into a safe and skilled pilot in a very rewarding and satisfying environment.

When you graduate you will be ready for employment, with a fully comprehensive skill base that will be seen by prospective employers as a cut above the rest. Our instructors also have many contacts within the helicopter industry to help you pursue other employment opportunities.

To date, 100% of students who have completed their CPL through the Australian Helicopter Academy and applied for employment with HeliSpirit have been successful.

The flight training portion takes most students around 12-14 weeks to complete. Rather than the common flight school structure of only coming in for your allocated training period each day, AHA students are generally here during business hours Monday to Friday. There is always in-house study to do when not flying and often opportunities to learn more about the mechanical side of the helicopter in the hangar.

While conducting your training, subsidised student accommodation is available at our fully furnished house located in Kununurra. Please note, as part of our Drug and Alcohol Management Policy, you will be required to complete a standard pre-employment drug and alcohol test in Kununurra at the beginning of your flight training.

Instructors at the Australian Helicopter Academy have a vast and wide range of experience, with an extensive number of flying hours between them.

Their experience includes having flown for commercial operators throughout Australia and overseas in a large scope of operations including charter, filming/photography, firefighting/aerial ignition, mining exploration, power-line inspections, and flight training, just to name a few! This can give you a distinct insight into many facets of the aviation industry.

Our instructors are also part of the HeliSpirit Check and Training team maintaining the high standards both AHA and HeliSpirit are recognised for throughout the industry.

During training, our instructors will highlight the skills needed to perform operations and the Kimberley region offers great diversity to build your skills.

We endeavour to help guide you on the journey to attain your goals and aspirations as a professional helicopter pilot and give you a head-start in your pilot career.

There’s no better way to experience the life of a helicopter pilot than by taking a trial flight!

Duration          Approximately 45 minutes
Helicopter      Robinson R22 (subject to student weight)/R44 (subject to student weight)
Location          Kununurra HeliSpirit Base

Includes:
✓ Pre-flight briefing on the primary effect of controls, explaining which flight control does what
✓ Pre-flight briefing on the hand-over and take-over procedure of the flight controls
✓ An overview of the helicopter
✓ Instructor starts the helicopter, taxis and departs the aerodrome
✓ Instructor demonstrates the effects of each primary control
✓ The student flies along a defined course at a constant airspeed
✓ Instructor invites the student to take each control separately then multiple controls and eventually all controls together to fly the helicopter straight and level at a constant airspeed
✓ The student flies the helicopter around an area descending and decelerating to a slow speed at low level
✓ The student attempts to hover
✓ The student flies the helicopter back to the aerodrome, makes an approach to the landing area and once again attempts to hover the helicopter

The vibrant town of Kununurra is a great place to be while studying. There is a strong sense of community in the town and a plethora of things to do and see in your free time.

As the gateway to the magnificent Kimberley region, Kununurra offers a wide variety of outdoor activities. Boating, camping, fishing, four-wheel driving and hiking are just some of the ways you can spend your downtime.

With World Heritage-listed sites and national parks at your doorstep, it is an ideal place to explore while you complete your pilot training.

Harry McGinn

Harry McGinn undertook CPL training with the Australian Helicopter Academy in 2024.

I spent 7 years working around helicopters on the ground before finally committing to getting my CPL. When I asked other pilots ‘where should I do my training?’ the highest recommendations were for AHA. I am very happy to say that AHA lived up to its reputation. The quality of training I received has been second to none. Working with experienced instructors who are also still very much involved with the day to day operations of a busy and successful commercial operation like HeliSpirit, you are taught to think about more than just how to fly the helicopter, you are given an insight into real world situations and how to deal with them. The Kimberley is a beautiful and ideal training ground with consistently good weather and no controlled airspace to contend with, meaning that more of your time
in the helicopter is spent building skills and not waiting for clearances. I cannot think of a better way to have started my career flying helicopters.

Harry successfully gained employment with HeliSpirit upon the completion of his Commercial Pilots Licence. He is currently a line pilot at HeliSpirit’s Purnunlulu (Bungle Bungle) Base.

Callum MacKellar, WA

Callum MacKellar undertook CPL training with the Australian Helicopter Academy in 2022.

I came across AHA by chance while travelling and was immediately sold on the idea of doing the training with them. The idea of training and living in the Kimberley was all I needed to sign up, it was a bonus that AHA are some of the best in the business. I couldn’t recommend AHA highly enough. The training environment fully immerses you in the industry which helps endlessly in learning all
that is required to get your licence. The people involved in the training and the HeliSpirit employees made the entire process an unforgettable experience

Callum successfully gained employment with HeliSpirit upon the completion of his Commercial Pilots Licence. He is currently a line pilot at HeliSpirit’s El Questro Base.

Elliott O’Brien, QLD

Elliott O’Brien undertook CPL training with the Australian Helicopter Academy in 2023.

I had done a considerable amount of research into flight schools around the country before I came across Australian Helicopter Academy (AHA). AHA immediately stood out as the best fit for me. I felt there was a level of care that went into their students over and above the norm. The head of operations was extremely helpful in answering any questions I had about the industry and career opportunities.

Living in and flying around some of the most beautiful parts of the Kimberley was a highlight. The opportunity to land in any number of remote areas with incredibly experienced instructors using real-world scenarios was great. To top it off, being able to speak with current working pilots and engineers in the hangar each day helped me to build a great network and learn so much beyond what is covered in the syllabus.

I absolutely recommend AHA — the approach to training, instructors and lifestyle all surpassed my expectations and have given me a strong foundation to continue my flying career.

Elliott successfully gained employment with HeliSpirit on completion of his training. Elliott is now flying Bell 206 Helicopter’s at the Mitchell Falls.

Harry Shaw, ACT

Harry Shaw undertook CPL training with the Australian Helicopter Academy in 2022.

I am Harry an electrician from Canberra. I heard about AHA when I went for an incredible scenic flight over Katherine gorge with HeliSpirit and was talking to a previous student (now pilot’s) experience and how he went about getting his licence.

I started my training with AHA in September after completing all the theory at AFT. I decided to go with AHA after extensive research into different schools on the East Coast and talking to as many people in the industry that I had connections with. The main deciding factor came down to a job prospect at the end of my
training, as well as the quality and detailed training provided by the school.

Living in the Kimberly was incredible. Every weekend had new opportunity to explore the surrounding areas of Kununurra, either going up the Ord River cliff jumping or 4wding into remote cascades or heading to Lake Argyle & El Questro.

Highlights of the training has to be the training areas available to AHA. There is everything from open paddocks to tight gorges to remote pinnacles everywhere is stunning and with a bit of rain waterfalls pop up everywhere.

I would 100% recommend AHA to people looking to get there CPL. Being in the Kimberley means you don’t waste any time with controlled airspace, get to explore stunning areas and have top tier instructors as well as the added bonus of working with HeliSpirit where you gain an understanding of how a commercial operator
works and the potential for employment straight out of training!

Harry successfully gained employment with HeliSpirit on completion of his training. Harry is now base manager at HeliSpirit’s base in Mitchell Falls.