Helicopter

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Private Pilot Certificate

Want to learn how to fly? Own your own helicopter and fly friends and family? Or how about rent ours. You’ll need a helicopter private pilot certificate. You’ll learn everything you need to know to solo the helicopter and prep for your written exam and check-ride. From aerodynamics to radio communication, navigation, and more! The costs outlined below illustrate the minimum hourly requirements required by the FAA FAR Part 61. It is difficult to achieve the required proficiency in this time period. It is wise to budget for 10% over these costs. However, the more frequently you train, the more likely you will be ready when minimum requirements are met.

FAA minimum requirements per FAR 61.109:

  • 40 hours total flight time, 30 of which must be in a helicopter.
  • 20 hours dual R-44 @ $600/hour = $12,000Steve 03.JPG
  • 10 hours solo R-44 @ $550/hour = $5,500
  • 20 hours ground @ $50/hour = $1,000
  • Required Books & Supplies = $50
  • FAA written exam = $175
  • Check ride (1 hr + examiner fee) = $1,000
  • 10 of the minimum 40 hours can be any combination of dual or solo helicopter OR airplane
  • Total Cost for Private Pilot Helicopter Certificate = $25,225
  • Total cost is an approximation*

*discounts are available for pre-paid Flight Credits – NO REFUNDS for pre-paid Flight Credits – ask for details!*

 

Instrument Rating

Although often not required to be a flight instructor or tour pilot, most helicopter pilot jobs will require an instrument rating… offshore, EMS, etc. The good news is you can subsidize a good portion of the total cost for your instrument rating with the airplane. 40 hours of instrument training are required to qualify for your rating but only 15 have to be in the helicopter.

  • 15 hours dual R-44 @ $600/hour = $9,000

  • 25 hours dual C172 @ $220/hour = $5,500

  • 20 hours ground @ $50/hour = $1,000

  • Required Books & Supplies = $50

  • FAA written exam = $175

  • Check ride (1 hr + examiner fee) = $1,000

  • Total Cost for Helicopter Instrument Rating = $16,725

 

Commercial Pilot Certificate

If you want to fly for hire, you will need a Commercial Pilot Certificate.This program takes you beyond what you will learn in the private pilot program and introduces you to many advanced maneuvers. This training emphasizes professionalism, power management, risk management, and increasing the level of precision with which all basic maneuvers are performed. The costs outlined below illustrate the minimum hourly requirements required by the FAA FAR Part 61. It is difficult to achieve the required proficiency in this time period. It is wise to budget for 10% over these costs.

FAA minimum requirements per FAR 61.129:

  • 150 hours total flight time, 50 of which must be in a helicopter.

  • 100 hours PIC, of which 35 hours must be in a helicopter.

Numbers below are for a student with a Private Helicopter rating with 50 hours of flight time, including 10 hours solo:

  • 20 hours dual R-44 @ $550/hour = $11,000

  • 75 hours solo R-44 @ $500/hour = $37,500

  • 5 hours instrument R-44 @ $550/hour = $3,250

  • 20 hours ground @ $50/hour = $1,000

  • Required Books & Supplies = $50

  • FAA written exam = $150

  • Check ride (1 hr + examiner fee) = $1,000

  • Total Cost for Commercial Pilot Helicopter Certificate = $53,950

CFI & CFII Certificate

If you want to teach people how to fly, you will need a Certified Flight Instructor Certificate. This program takes you through developing teaching skills and techniques. This training emphasizes different techniques for teaching students how to fly the helicopter as well as being able to teach all the necessary book knowledge. The costs outlined below illustrate the minimum hourly requirements required by the FAA FAR Part 61. It is difficult to achieve the required proficiency in this time period. It is wise to budget for 10% over these costs.

FAA minimum requirements per FAR 61.183:

  • Must be at least 18 years old

  • Must hold a Commercial license or ATP

  • No minimum hour requirement, however to instruct in a Robinson aircraft, you will need 200 total hours.

Numbers below are approximate cost for a student with a Commercial Pilot’s License with 150 hours of flight time:

  • 15 hours dual R-44 @ $600/hour = $9,000

  • 20 hours ground @ $50/hour = $1,000

  • Required Books & Supplies = $50

  • FAA written exam = $350

  • Check ride (1 hr + examiner fee) = $1,000

  • Total Cost for Certified Flight Instructor Helicopter Certificate = $11,400

*discounts are available for pre-paid Flight Credits – NO REFUNDS for pre-paid Flight Credits – ask for details!*