So you want to be a helicopter pilot. Or at least the fascination of helicopters has gotten ahold of you. How exciting! Don’t forget, even if pilotage isn’t the end goal- there are many careers in general aviation. From the airport to the airways, we all are essential.
Below are a few things to consider before, or at the start of your:
Helicopter Pilot Checklist
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Helicopter Pilot Checklist 〰️
“I follow three rules: Do the right thing, do the best you can, and always show people you care.” -Lou Holtz
If you click on the picture to the right (or above on mobile), it will take you to the Federal Aviation Administration’s overview on how to “Become a Pilot”. The Federal Aviation Administration is a fantastic resource and you will continuously use it throughout your career.
Aviation is primed with rules and regulations.
If you’re one that doesn’t like to follow the rules you:
1. may not be able to earn your license
2. may not have your license very long
3. could hurt or kill yourself or others.
Not to be party poopers- but this is important to understand.
Are you “Fit to Fly”?
AOPA- How To Obtain Airman Medical Certification
Let’s start with: Do you want to fly recreationally or as a career?
If you want to fly recreationally, you will need to obtain a private pilot license as-well-as a BasicMed or Class III Medical Certificate. You will need to have a current BasicMed or Class III Medical Certificate to exercise privileges as a student or private pilot.
If you want to fly as a career or for-hire, you will need a commercial license as-well-as a minimum of a Class II Medical Certificate. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND that if you’re end goal is to fly-for-hire, to make sure you can obtain the Class II Medical Certificate in the early stages of your flight training- even if the Class II Medical Certificate is not necessary as a student or private pilot.
There are many conditions and medications that can disqualify one from obtaining a medical certificate. Below are some helpful links, but you will want to ask your local flight school, CFI and / or a medical examiner for clarification if you have any questions.
AOPA- AIRMAN MEDICAL CERTIFICATION Understanding: Airman Medical Standards
Code of Federal Regulations: 14 CFR Part 67 ; MEDICAL STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION
Flight Schools: Part 61 vs Part 141
Are you (and your finances) ready to make a complete commitment or are you looking to start part time.
You’ll find flight schools identifying as a Part 61 or Part 141 flight school (rarely both). What does that mean to you?
Blue Line Aviation summarizes the differences between Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools pretty well.
Part 61 offers a bit more flexibility; which comes with a few more hours to meet the FAA’s minimum requirement for licenses / ratings.
-Part 61 is the recommended flight school if you currently work full time.
Part 141 is overall more formal and highly regulated. Hence slightly less hours needed for licenses / ratings.
Part 141 is the recommended flight school if you are making aviation your immediate full time priority (may require a loan or enrollment in a college.)
This being said- these are generic statements and each flight school is different.
An example being from experience: we had originally enrolled in a Part 61 flight school “operating as a Part 141 school”. We had a syllabus but could schedule lessons as we wished. We had flight instructors but only the ”chief” could endorse you to solo or to pass “stage checks”. In this particular instance, we found it incredibly confusing because a Part 61 school, typically, the instructor customizes your training based on your strengths and weaknesses. Whereas here, we thought we were doing well until meeting with the “chief” and refusing to endorse solos or progression.
Before you start at any flight school, before you take that discovery flight, make sure you understand what they’re operating as. Also, meet with the instructors and the faculty. If you have a bad feeling-follow it and find another one!
Minimums
(& Students Rarely Make Minimums)
These clear details were found on the Lone Star Helicopter Flight Training; information on their flight training programs. Shout out to Lone Star Helicopters because many flight schools do not give approximate flight costs outright. Prices are per rating, and all quality flight schools will have similar pricing. Consider the costs per hour for flight instruction (estimate in private license details below), ground school needed per license / rating, books and materials, tests and checkrides.Minimums- Total Pilot Time in Helicopters:
40 Hours
30 hours of “dual” flight instruction and 10 hours of “solo” flight
3 hours of dual cross-country flight training
3 hours dual instruction at night
One (1) 75 nautical-mile cross-country Solo flight with one (1) 25 nautical-mile “leg”
At least 3 hours of Cross-Country Solo flight
3 Solo Take-offs and Landings at an Airport with an Operating Control Tower
Private Pilot
Privileges and Limitations
A private pilot license allows you to fly a helicopter and carry passengers and baggage, although not for compensation or hire. Operating expenses may be shared with other passengers.
Be at least 17 years of age
Obtain an FAA medical certificate
Pass an FAA written examination
Pass an FAA oral and flight test
Cost example for private:
Schweizer 300 Helicopter @$425.00 hr Dual
“ESTIMATED” TOTAL:
40 hours flight instruction (required): $17,000
20 hours ground instruction: $1500
Medical Examination: $100
Written Exam: $175
FAA Flight Test: $850
$19,625
Minimums- Total Pilot Time in Helicopters:
150 Hours
10 hours of instrument training in an aircraft.
100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time (35 hours or more of which must be in a helicopter).
20 hours of dual instruction in the required areas of operation.
10 hours of cross-country helicopter experience.
3 hours of night dual instruction.
1 DAY VFR 2-hour (minimum) dual instruction flight with one (1) 50 nautical-mile leg.
1 NIGHT VFR 2-hour (minimum) dual instruction flight with one (1) 50 nautical-mile leg.
5 hours of Nightime solo flight experience with a minimum of 10 take-offs and landings.
One (1) cross-country solo flight with three landings and one (1) 50 nautical-mile minimum leg.
3 hours of dual instruction in the 60 days previous in preparation for the flight test.
Commercial Pilot
Privileges and Limitations
A commercial helicopter pilot license allows you to fly a helicopter and carry passengers and baggage for compensation or hire.
Obtain an FAA medical certificate
Pass an FAA written examination
Pass an FAA oral and flight test
Obtain an FAA Class II medical certificate
Flight Instructor
Privileges and Limitations
Many helicopter pilots become a certified flight instructor to build hours. A flight instructor allows you to give training and endorsements relate to:
A student pilot certificates
A pilot certificate
A flight instructor certificate
A ground instructor certificate
An aircraft rating
An instrument rating
A flight review, operating privilege, or recency of experience requirement of this part
A practical test
A knowledge test
Before you can earn your helicopter certified flight instructor (CFI) rating, you must already hold a helicopter commercial pilot rating. Unlike in airplanes, you are not required to hold an Instrument Rating in either helicopters or airplanes to become a Helicopter CFI. There are no additional flight experience requirements in the helicopter beyond preparing with a qualified Instructor Pilot (CFI) for the oral and practical flight test (Check Ride) with the FAA examiner.
You will be expected to meet the standards in the FAA Practical Test Standard (PTS) for the helicopter Flight Instructor rating. You will be expected to demonstrate all the Commercial PTS flight maneuvers from the (Instructor’s) seat in the aircraft as you explain those maneuvers as you would to a student pilot. You are also required to demonstrate a touchdown autorotation to the ground (touchdowns are not required for the private or commercial rating).
You will also be required to pass a rigorous oral examination with an FAA Inspector on the subject matters covered in the FAA’s Certified Flight Instructor practical test standard (PTS) publication.
You are also required to pass two written FAA knowledge tests. One covers the fundamentals of instruction and covers how people learn and how they should be taught. The other is a test on general aviation information that any Certified Flight Instructor should know
Credit: Lone Star Helicopterslonestarheli@gmail.com / 512-963-53639214 Rolling Hills Trails, Lago Vista, Texas 78645IMPORTANT :an Instrument Rating is important to mention as many companies are looking for Instrument Rated Pilots in the hiring process and the details are not listed above. Per ETL Aviation- Helicopter Instrument Rating (IFR): A helicopter instrument rating is beneficial for any pilot. The instrument rating allows pilots to operate IFR equipment helicopters in adverse weather conditions. The IFR training is often included during a portion of the commercial helicopter training. Although you can obtain a commercial helicopter license without an IFR rating, most employers prefer to hire an IFR qualified pilot.
ETL Aviation has a great breakdown and approximate pricing examples of the Instrument Requirements. Check them out!
Book a Discovery Flight!
Video via FlyTULSA
info@flytulsaok.com
Have you been inside of a small, single engine helicopter?
Most flight schools fly Robinson Helicopters (R22/ R44). If you’re interested in being an instructor, most flight schools instruct using Robinson Helicopters.
Most touring companies fly the R44 as well.
*SFAR 73 is a Special Federal Aviation Regulation, No. 73- special training and experience endorsement; and is mandatory for anyone operating a Robinson R22 or R44 helicopter.
That does not mean that you must fly a Robinson helicopter- just keep the above in mind when picking a flight school/ discovery flight.
During your discovery flight- ask yourself- is this for me?
Check out the instructor- he /she uses both feet and hands.
Movements are small and intentional.
Does the height, or multitasking bother you?
Do you feel safe in the helicopter? Is the aircraft well taken care of?
It is hard to not get caught up in the moment- it is a pretty cool experience! However- think if it as an interview for your future self.
Julie Boatman wrote a great article for Flying Magazine:
What to Expect Ahead of Your Flight Training.
Great read as to show how personal the experience can truly be.