| Helicopter Flight Training |
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Please note that prices are 2009 prices. This is just to give those interested in helicopter flight training
an idea of time and cost involved.
So you want to learn to be a helicopter pilot?
There are basically two types of people who want to learn to be a helicopter pilot:
1. Those who do not have a pilot certificate of any kind and,
2. Those who already possess a pilot certificate of some sort.
Let's discuss some Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandated requirements prior to obtaining a pilot certificate with a
rotorcraft - helicopter category and class rating.
People who do not have a pilot certificate of any kind.
I'll refer to this group as the "ab initio" or "from the beginning" group. People in this group may never have flown any type of aircraft before now. And, I am referring to airplanes of some sort when I mention aircraft.
For these people the FAA requires a MINIMUM of 30 flight hours of dual instruction with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and an additional 10 hours of solo flight training normally conducted under the supervision of a CFI. This flight time must be accomplished prior to becoming qualified to take the Practical Test or "checkride" with an FAA Examiner or a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) authorized by the FAA to conduct these "checkrides". I want to emphasize the term MINIMUM requirements. This is what the FAA requires as a MINIMUM before taking a "checkride" for a pilot certificate.
I stress this because many student pilots (and add-on pilots who already hold a certificate) mistakenly interpret these MINIMUMs as "this is all the training I need" to get a certificate. If I may put it a different way, the "perfect" student pilot would have at least this minimum amount of flight instruction before he or she would be able to qualify for a "checkride" with the FAA Examiner or DPE. Realistically, the average student pilot would need approximately 60 hours of flight instruction consisting of 40 hours of dual flight instruction and 20 hours of solo flight practice.
Let's talk about other FAA requirements. The student pilot must pass a Written Examination, in addition to the flight hours requirements, prior to qualifying for the Practical Test or "checkride". A passing grade of 70% is required. The subjects on this written examination entail aerodynamics, aero medical, air traffic control (ATC) procedures, Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), airport traffic procedures, airport markings and signage, aviation weather, weight and balance, air and radio navigation, aircraft systems and instrumentation, to name a few. The student pilot will, therefore, be required to take ground instruction on these subject matters. This ground instruction will be taught by the CFI or a Certified Ground Instructor (CGI). Ground instruction in these subject matters averages about 40 hours. In addition to the ground instruction, there are study resources available to prepare the student for the Written Examination. The student must obtain a log book endorsement from his CFI/CGI stating that he or she has been provided adequate instruction on the subject matters and has demonstrated that he or she is qualified to take the Written Examination.
After the Written Examination has been passed and the student pilot has obtained AT LEAST the MINIMUM flight instruction required by the FAA the next step is the Practical Examination or "checkride". The student pilot's CFI must first provide an endorsement in the student pilot's logbook stating that the required flight and ground instruction has been provided and the CFI states the student pilot has shown competency and is prepared for the checkride. The "checkride" is termed a Practical Test by the FAA and is administered by either a FAA Examiner or a DPE. Normally, a DPE will conduct the Practical Test.
The Practical Test consists of two major phases which each have sub-categories to be tested upon. The two major phases of the Practical Test consist of an Oral Examination and a Practical (or flight) Examination. The Practical Test is conducted pursuant to the Practical Test Standards (PTS) established by the FAA for the pilot certificate sought, i.e. Private Pilot, Rotorcraft - Helicopter. The Examiner will question the pilot candidate about the subject matters studied, such as aerodynamics, aero medical, ATC procedures, FARs, airport traffic procedures, etc. This portion of the Practical Test could take a few to several hours depending on the pilot candidates knowledge and understanding of the subject matters and the certificate sought.
After the oral examination is completed, the pilot candidate will then perform a flight with the Examiner. This flight will also be conducted pursuant to the PTS and will consist of pre-flight planning, pre-flight of the helicopter, start-up and run-up procedures, all flight maneuvers including pick-up to a hover, hovering flight, normal and maximum performance take-off and landing, in-flight maneuvers, emergency flight maneuvers, basic instrument flight, etc. The flight portion of the examination should take no more than one to one and one-half hours. If the pilot candidate successfully completes all tasks required in the PTS for the certificate sought, then welcome to the ranks of those helicopter pilots who have persevered before you.
People who currently have a pilot certificate.
If you already have a pilot certificate, you are not considered a student pilot. Although, you are learning to fly helicopters, you are still not considered student pilots. You are certificated pilots obtaining an "add-on" to your certificate for the category and class Rotorcraft - Helicopter. So, we're talking about a private, commercial or airline transport pilot (ATP) who has a category and class of Airplane - Single Engine Land, Airplane - Multi-engine Land, etc.
Since you are already rated pilots and, therefore, not "student pilots" the FARs actually are interpreted a little differently regarding learning to fly helicopters. Some of the nuances include the requirement to fly 3 hours of dual instruction cross-country in a helicopter. Since you are not a student, once you have been "signed-off" to solo in the category and class (Rotorcraft - Helicopter), you are not required to have an additional "sign-off" before you fly solo cross-country. You could fly solo cross-country prior to receiving the required 3 hours of dual instruction cross-country with your CFI!
Now, for how much training you'll need for an "add-on". As an example, let's say you have a Commercial Pilot Airplane Single Engine Land certificate and now want to get an "add on" Commercial Pilot Rotorcraft Helicopter. You must once again deal with FAA MINIMUM requirements. You must have a MINIMUM of 50 hours helicopter flight time. Of that 50 hours, a MINIMUM of 35 hours must be as the pilot in command (PIC). And you must have a MINIMUM of 20 hours of dual instruction in helicopters. An average airplane pilot getting this "add on" in the category and class Rotorcraft - Helicopter should be ready for a "checkride" with approximately 30 hours of dual instruction and an additional 20 hours of solo, give or take a few hours.
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So, how much is this going to cost?
I will not sugarcoat this subject. Quite honestly, learning to fly a helicopter is a considerable investment in money, as well as time and effort. The figures I will give you regarding rates per hour are realistic and accurate. The figures on total cost for the training required to obtain your pilot certificate are an estimate. Obviously, everyone has different capabilities, goals and desires. The amount of time required to successfully finish training and qualify for and successfully complete a "checkride" for your pilot certificate varies according your capability, goals and desire. I have seen students who were capable of obtaining their pilot certificate near the FAA mandated minimum requirements. I have also seen students who struggled because of marginal capability, did not set their training as a priority goal or just lacked the desire to apply the necessary time and effort to effectively build upon their training. These student pilots would always require flight and ground instruction significantly beyond the FAA mandated minimums. As I have stated, the average student should be able to qualify for a Private Pilot "checkride" in about 65 flight hours of training with approximately 40 hours of ground instruction.
So, let's talk "known" quantities.
Hourly rates for the Robinson R-22 Beta II
R-22 Beta II Intro Flight (1/2 hour ground and 1/2 hour flight) $ 150.00
R-22 Beta II Flight Instruction (includes CFI) $ 260.00
R-22 Beta II Solo $ 220.00
Ground instruction $ 50.00
Instruction (per hour) in your own helicopter $ 75.00
Now, let's talk "planning/approximate" quantities.
Remember, these are FAA mandated MINIMUMS
Private Pilot Helicopter
20 hours dual instruction ($ 260/hr) $ 5,200
For the average student, add another 20 - 25 hrs dual ($ 5,200 - $ 6,500)
20 hours solo ($ 220/hr) $ 4,400
40 hours ground instruction ($ 50/hr) $ 2,000
Books and examination/"checkride" fees approx. $ 800
So, the expense of getting a Private Pilot Helicopter certificate could be from $ 12,400 (FAA minimums) to $ 17,600 -
$ 18,900 (average student).
Commercial Pilot Helicopter
20 hours dual instruction (minimum) ($ 260/hr) $ 5,200
60 hours solo ($ 220/hr) $ 13,200
10 hours dual instrument training in R-44 ($ 600/hr) $ 6,000
10 hours ground instruction ($ 50/hr) $ 500
Books and examination/"checkride" fees approx. $ 700
So, the expense of getting a Commercial Pilot Helicopter certificate is approximately $ 25,600 (This is in addition to the expense of a Private Pilot Helicopter certificate and based on FAA minimums).
Instrument Rating - Helicopter
40 hours dual flight instruction in R-44 ($ 600/hr) $ 24,000
20 hours ground instruction ($ 50.00/hr) $ 1,000
Books and examination/"checkride" fees approx. $ 700
So, the expense of getting an Instrument - Helicopter Rating added to your certificate is approximately $ 25,700 (This is in addition to the expense of the Private and Commercial Pilot Helicopter certificates and based on FAA minimums).
Certified Flight Instructor - Helicopter
10 hours dual flight instruction ($ 260/hr) $ 2,600
10 hours ground instruction ($ 50/hr) $ 500
Books and examination/"checkride" fees approx. $ 700
So, the expense of getting a Certified Flight Instructor - Helicopter certificate is approximately $ 3,800 (This is in addition to the expense of the Private and Commercial Pilot Helicopter certificates, as well as the Instrument Rating and based on FAA minimums).
Note: All of the prices above include fuel, but are subject to change based upon increased fuel prices. Additionally, prices are also subject to change based upon increased operating costs.
Do I need all these certificates and ratings?
Well, if you just want to learn to fly helicopters for pleasure or personal use, you really only need a Private Pilot Helicopter certificate. With this certificate you can fly yourself and others, as long as you are not doing so "for hire" or getting paid to do so by the passenger. You can't carry cargo "for hire", either.
However, most people want to earn a living and make some money flying helicopters. In order to do this, you need a Commercial Pilot Helicopter certificate. With this certificate you may carry passengers and/or cargo "for hire". You can also fly for other companies that utilize helicopters to provide transportation services. You could work doing tour flights, off-shore flying, medivac flights, fire fighting, corporate transport, logging, law enforcement and numerous other types of helicopter pilot jobs. The problem here becomes the experience level you have. Normally, tour companies require from 500 - 1000 hours flight time; off-shore operators require from 1000 - 1,500 hours minimum flight time; air medivac companies require 1,500 - 2,500 hours minimum flight time; etc. Additionally, many of these operators require an Instrument Rating. So, how do you build the flight time to become realistically employable? Most pilots will go on to get their Certified Flight Instructor certificate. With this certificate, most flight schools will hire a new instructor with about 250 - 300 hours flight time. If the flight school is busy at all, it should take no more than 1 1/2 - 2 years to obtain the minimum hours needed to get a commercial flying job with a company in the industries mentioned above.
As you can see, the cost can vary significantly going from someone seeking a pleasure/personal only Private Pilot certificate to the person seeking to become a paid professional in the industry. Anywhere from about $ 11,600 at FAA minimums to
$ 66,550. You can realistically count on taking anywhere from 6 - 8 months to obtain your Private Pilot certificate to as long as 1 1/2 - 2 years, depending on the amount of time you can commit, to obtain the necessary certificates and ratings to become a professional pilot.
Is it worth it? Initially, you will likely be employed as a CFI after obtaining your certificates. You'll probably be hired at an hourly salary of $ 20 - $ 40 per hour. Once you get enough flight hours under your belt (this should take about 1 - 2 years) you can count on a starting salary of $ 56,000 - $ 60,000 per year (you'll also see pretty good benefits packages with these jobs). After obtaining your first commercial job you will see your annual income increase steadily as you gain additional flight time and obtain additional transitions into larger and more complex helicopters.
From personal experience, I flew helicopters in the Army. I then went back to college and law school and practiced law for 18 1/2 years. I am back to flying helicopters for a living. Was it worth going back to flying helicopters for a living? I'm a very happy camper, now!
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