Gyrocopters have undergone a transformation over the past century and today are considered some of the safest and most versatile personal flying machines available. Jason Horne- a longtime member of the Monadnock Choppers family - is a successful entrepreneur, pilot, lifelong adventurer and owner of a 2017 American Ranger Gyrocopter. Read more about Jason and his Gyro journey!

A critical component to ensuring a safe flight is a thorough pre-flight inspection of your aircraft. Whether you're a student pilot or a seasoned aviator, performing a comprehensive pre-flight check is essential to identify and address potential issues before they become serious problems. In this article, we’ll explore the key aspects of pre-flighting your airplane or helicopter, including FAA recommendations, safety checklists, and personal readiness factors.

Matthew Santonastaso has been passionate about helicopters since childhood, fulfilling his dream of flight as soon as he could afford lessons. He is also a skydiving coach, local business owner, and a former two-term New Hampshire State Representative. Read more about Matt and the experience he brings to the Monadnock Choppers team as a helicopter CFI.

Among the most thrilling experiences in winter aviation is ice runways, and there’s no better place to experience this than landing at the iconic Alton Bay Ice Runway during your flight training at Monadnock Choppers.

Happy Holidays in 2025! From all of us at Monadnock Choppers, we wish you a holiday season filled with joy, plenty of time with family and friends, and hopefully some aviation! 

Nestled in the scenic hills of southwestern New Hampshire, Dillant-Hopkins Airport (EEN) in Keene is the perfect place for aspiring and seasoned aviators alike. This airport offers not only a top-notch learning environment but also a gateway to some of the most beautiful landscapes New England has to offer. Learn more about the airport Monadnock Choppers calls home!

Monadnock Choppers was pleased to donate an Airplane Discovery Flight as part of the 22nd Annual Monadnock Humane Society (MHS) Hairball Gala. The Hairball Gala is one of the most anticipated charitable events in the Keene, NH local area, dedicated to raising vital funds to support homeless animals and provide them with food, shelter, and medical care.

We were excited to participate in the Kurn Hattin Golf Tournament on October 4th, 2024 with our signature Helicopter Golf Ball Drop! This yearly tournament is a fantastic event that brings together our community for a great cause.

On October 6th, 2024, the Monadnock Choppers owner generously allowed 3 of his aircraft to support the second EAA Chapter 1314’s Young Eagles Day in 2024. The Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) Young Eagles Program is an initiative designed to introduce young people to the world of aviation. This program has provided free flights to millions of kids across the country since its launch in 1992, helping to spark interest in aviation.

At Monadnock Choppers, we’re always pursing more aviation training, and our very own Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Caleb recently took on an exciting new challenge—earning his commercial add-on seaplane rating at Goodspeed Seaplanes. He is pictured here after passing his checkride!

Today’s blog post is in honor of the the Aeronca Champ, which celebrates it’s 78th year of flying this month. Officially known as the Aeronca 7AC Champion, it is a very iconic aircraft in the history of general aviation that has earned a special place in the hearts of pilots and aviation enthusiasts for its simplicity, reliability, and the pure joy of flying it provides.

This past Saturday, the skies over Keene, New Hampshire were busier than normal, as a dedicated group of local pilots volunteered their time and aircraft for the EAA Chapter 1314’s Young Eagles event. Hosted at Keene Dillant-Hopkins Airport, this event marked the first time in a decade that the chapter had organized a Young Eagles event—and Monadnock Choppers was thrilled to be able to provide three aircraft and volunteer pilots to support the event’s success

This week, the Keene Airport community received a last minute request from a family member of a dedicated US Air Force retiree who passed away last weekend. We are proud that the Monadnock Choppers team stepped forward to honor this veteran. Caleb and Jim, two dedicated members of our aviation community, volunteered their time to perform the flyover August 3rd, 2024.

This July, Monadnock Choppers had the opportunity to be part of Alyson’s Orchard Summer Festival. The Orchard is known for its beautiful landscapes and vibrant community. It was the perfect day and we were thrilled to add a unique touch of excitement by flying in and staging our Champ airplane.