Becoming a student helicopter pilot is the first step toward a career or recreational pursuit in aviation. Training to fly helicopters involves intensive study, plus hours of flight training with a qualified instructor. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has strict regulations on how pilot training is carried out; the only thing unregulated is the cost of flight school.
All new pilots must first obtain their private pilot's license for helicopters (PPL-H), which enables them to fly solo. After that, student pilots can study for several types of helicopter licenses, including commercial (CPL-H), certified flight instructor (CFI), instrument ratings and the turbine transition rating, which allows them to fly aircraft like the Bell Jet Ranger. Pilots who already hold a fixed-wing private pilot's license can study for a helicopter add-on rating.
There are no minimum education requirements for helicopter pilots, but student pilots must be at least 17 years old and able to communicate proficiently in English. To receive a PPL-H, students must pass written, oral and in-flight tests an FAA-designated examiner administers. They must also pass a medical exam.
Studying for a pilot's license requires significant preparation and study. Students must complete ground school, which lasts for 35 hours. They must also log a minimum number of hours in-flight--an FAA mandate.
To receive a PPL-H, student pilots must complete a minimum of 40 hours of flight time, including 20 hours of instruction and 10 hours of solo flying. However, it is rare to receive a license after studying only the minimum amount of hours; most flight schools suggest budgeting for at least 60 hours of flight time, which can occur over several weeks or even months.
Student pilots pursuing a PPL-H must pass a medical exam--administered by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)--to receive a Third Class Medical Certification. A student pilot's eyesight must be at least 20/40, with no major visual or hearing impairments. In addition, pilots diagnosed with a mental health disorder must receive special clearance from the FAA.
Student pilots who plan to pursue further licenses should be aware that the requirements for a Second and First Class Medical Certification are more strict. For example, eyesight must be 20/20--corrected or uncorrected--to pass the medical exam for a commercial pilot's license.
There are several costs associated with flight training. First, students must complete ground school training. These classes cost approximately $250 to $700, though there are also private study courses available.
In-flight training with a certified flight instructor is billed at an hourly rate of approximately $185 to $300. This rate includes the instructor's time, plus helicopter rental. Student pilots logging solo hours only need to pay aircraft rental. There are also expenses for pilot supplies, such as log books and test prep materials.
Over the course of a helicopter pilot's training for a PPL-H, training costs approximately $12,500 to $16,000, depending on how many hours of flight time are needed.
