THE BASICS
In order to perform duties as Pilot in Command, the FAA requires:
- third class medical certificate issued by an approved AME (Aviation Medical Examiner)
- read, speak, write and understand English
- must be 17 years of age to be eligible for your private license (though you can begin your training before then.)
- pass a written, oral and flight examination
WHAT WE TEACH
- 40 hours of flight time that must include:
- At least 20 hours of flight training from a Flight Instructor
- 3 hours of cross country flight training in a helicopter
- 3 hours of night flight training in a helicopter
- 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a helicopter in preparation for the practical test, within 2 months of the test
- 10 hours of solo flight time in a helicopter
- Ground instruction as required
- 150 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
- 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in helicopters
- 100 hours of pilot in command flight time, which includes at least:
- 35 hours in helicopters
- 10 hours in cross country flight in helicopters
- 10 hours of solo flight time in a helicopter or 10 hours of flight time performing the duties of pilot in command in a helicopter with an authorized instructor on board
- 20 hours of training on helicopter operations including 5 hours of instrument training
- 5 hours of night flight
- 3 hours in a helicopter with an instructor in preparation for the practical test within 2 months of the test
- 50 hours of cross country flight time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in a helicopter
- 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time of which 15 hours must have been with an instructor who holds an Instrument Helicopter Rating, this instrument time must include: 1 cross country flight in a helicopter performed under instrument flight rules, consisting of 100 nautical miles along airways or by directed routing from an air traffic control facility; An instrument approach at each airport; and three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems
- 3 hours of instrument flight training from an instructor in a helicopter that is appropriate to the Instrument Helicopter Rating within 2 months before of the practical test
- Ground instruction as required
- Commercial Helicopter Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate required
- Flight and ground instruction as required
- Commercial Helicopter Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate required
- Instrument Helicopter Rating required
- Flight and ground instruction as required
OUR ADD-ONS
PRIVATE PILOT HELICOPTER ADD-ON
Pilots that already hold a Private Pilot Certificate in fixed wing aircraft are eligible for add-on rating:
- 40 hours of total flight time required
- 30 hours in helicopters
- 20 hours of flight training from a Certified Flight Instructor
- 10 hours of solo flight
- 3 hours of cross country flight training in a helicopter;
- 3 hours of night flight training in a helicopter that includes- One cross country flight of over 50 nautical miles total distance; and 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
- 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a helicopter in preparation for the practical test, which must have been performed within 2 months of the test
- 10 hours of solo flight time in a helicopter, consisting of at least- 3 hours cross country time; One solo cross country flight of 100 nautical miles total distance, with landings at three points, and one segment of the flight being a straight line distance of more than 25 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and three takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.
- Ground instruction as required
COMMERCIAL PILOT HELICOPTER ADD-ON
- 50 hours of total time in a helicopter (55 if flying in a Robinson Helicopter)
- 35 hours PIC in a helicopter
- 10 hour cross country in a helicopter including:
- One cross country flight of at least 2 hours in a helicopter in day VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure
- One cross country flight of at least 2 hours in a helicopter in night VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure
- 20 hours of dual flight training including:
- 3 hours in a helicopter in preparation for the practical test
- 10 hours solo training in a helicopter including:
- 5 hours at night
- 1 cross country flight with landings at a minimum of three points, with one segment consisting of a straight line distance of at least 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure
- Pilots can apply for a Commercial Add-on without taking a Private add-on first
INSTRUMENT HELICOPTER ADD-ON
- Must hold a Private Pilot Helicopter Certificate
- 15 hours of instrument flight training in a helicopter including:
- 3 hours in preparation for the practical test
- One cross country flight in a helicopter that is performed under IFR, and consists of:
- A distance of at least 100 nautical miles along airways or ATC-directed routing
- An instrument approach at each airport
- Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems
- Ground instruction as required
CFI / CFII HELICOPTER ADD-ON
- A minimum of:
- 15 hours will be required in Helicopter to be eligible for the practical test
- In addition a minimum of 200 hours total time in helicopter is required to be eligible to provide flight instruction in a Robinson R22 or R44
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
The length of time that is required to complete a rating or an add-on rating depends largely on your previous flying experience, motivation to learn, and proficiency. Please contact us for further information.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Please contact us directly by calling our office 615.350.1122, by emailing us at [email protected], or by filling out the contact form on our Contact Us page.