A Fort Worth helicopter flight school will keep training military pilots under a newly awarded defense contract.
Helicopter Institute Inc., based at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport, was awarded a $57.4 million contract to teach U.S. Navy rotary-wing flight students how to fly helicopters.
The contract, awarded Jan. 29 by the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division of Orlando, Florida, calls for basic- and primary-flight instruction using Robinson TH-66 helicopters to support training. The new contract follows the completion of a previous one awarded in 2023.
The new deal “marks a significant milestone in the company’s continued growth and reinforces its position as a trusted training partner for military and government aviation programs,” Helicopter Institute officials said in a statement.
Randy Rowles, president and founder of the Helicopter Institute, said the award represents far more than a contract win.
“It reflects the United States Navy’s confidence in our people, our training philosophy, and our unwavering commitment to producing safe, standardized, and mission ready aviators,” Rowles said in a statement. “Our instructors, maintainers, and support teams take this responsibility personally. Supporting Naval aviators at this foundational stage of their careers is a no fail mission, and we are proud to continue serving alongside the men and women who defend our nation.”
With the contract, Helicopter Institute expands its footprint within the defense sector, officials said.
“This award reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to excellence, our deep expertise in rotorcraft training, and our dedication to strengthening the capabilities of those who serve our nation,” Ashley Mikel, Helicopter Institute’s director of business development, said in a statement.
Helicopter Institute uses the TH-66 Sage helicopter, a military training variant of the Robinson R-66 aircraft. Training will occur at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth and is expected to be completed by October 2030, according to the contract.
The agreement calls for no funds to be obligated at the time of the award. However, funding for individual orders will be paid as they are issued.
Officials from the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division said the contract was set aside for small businesses with two offers received.
Eric E. Garcia is senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org.
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