On Jan. 1, 2013, Jerry Trimble Helicopters (JTH) positioned an R-22 at Smithville, Texas, for flight training and scenic flights of the Colorado River. Smithville is conveniently located an hours drive southeast of Austin or 2 hours northwest of Houston. Out of town students can fly into either airport. JTH will pick up students at the Austin Airport at no charge. The Smithville airport is ideal for flight training because it is a non-towered airport located away from town with good approaches and departures. Student housing will be available within a mile and a half of the airport and will be offered at $13 per night. JTH Texas will continue offering flight training at the Oregon rates of $184 per hour solo and $234 per hour dual. Currently, all dual flights will be done with Jerry Trimble.
Smithville is your typically small Texas town with friendly people who love to hunt, fish and eat. One of the best barbeque restaurants in Texas is located in Smithville, so expect some good eatin while youre here said Jerry Trimble.
If you are not into Texas barbeque, and are more of the golfing, country club type, you can head to Palm Springs, Calif., for flight training. JTH has a winter base located in Thermal, Calif., which is led by Adam Goad. Adam is a high time helicopter and airplane pilot offering flight training in the Coachella Valley. The weather in the desert is great for winter training.
McMinnville, Oregon continues to be the year round home base of JTH. Currently, instrument training is not available in Texas or California, but is available at the location in McMinnville, Ore. McMinnville has both an instrument equipped R-22 for $230 per hour dual and R-44 for $446 per hour dual. An instrument equipped Cessna 172 and ground simulator is also available.
