So, you want to earn a helicopter license but you’re not quite sure how to go about it? Maybe you have a fixed-wing license and want to branch out into rotor, or you are just starting out and are interested in eventually pursuing a career as a helicopter pilot. Either way, we’ve got you covered.
Today we will walk you through the process and what to expect as you acquire a helicopter pilot license.
Table of Contents
- What Does it Take?
- How Much Does it Cost?
- Is it Difficult?
- How to Get a Helicopter's License
- Eligibility Requirements
- Medical Requirements
- Frequently Asked Questions
What does it take to get a helicopter pilot license?
To get your helicopter pilot’s license, you will need to meet the FAA’s basic eligibility requirements. You also must go through ground school, take and pass a written knowledge test, do flight training until you meet the minimums and your instructor signs off on your skills, then take and pass the practical test.
How much does it cost to become a helicopter pilot?
The cost of getting your helicopter pilot license will vary depending on multiple factors including:
- Which license you are getting
- What pilot licenses (if any) you already hold
- Where you are training
- Who your instructor is
- The number of flight hours it takes for you to reach proficiency
As is the case with fixed-wing airplanes, there is more than one type of helicopter license. If your goal is simply to be able to fly a helicopter for pleasure and personal use, and you have the budget to support this hobby, then a private helicopter license may be the best fit for you.
Planning to turn this into a career or money-making endeavor? In order to charge for your piloting services, you will need to first get your private helicopter license and then go on to earn your commercial helicopter license.
In general, expect to spend between $12,000 and $20,000 for a private helicopter license. Adding on the commercial license? This will run you an additional $18,000 - $40,000.
Some helicopter pilots want to be licensed to teach and train new pilots. To do this, you will need to earn a certified flight instructor rating. Budget between $38,000 and $70,000 for your CFI rating.
Wondering how to pay for flight training? You will need to look into loans for flight school and flight scholarships.
Is it difficult to learn to fly a helicopter?
Learning to fly a helicopter is much more challenging than fixed wing. There are additional aerodynamic principles to master, and controls like the cyclic and collective to manipulate. If you are making the transition from fixed wing to rotor, you will have a head start on some of the aviation basics, but there will be many skills that won’t translate and which you will have to re-learn. Therefore, it’s best to approach learning to fly a helicopter as an exciting challenge.
How to get a helicopter pilot’s license (step by step)
Now that we’ve gone over some of the most common questions about a helicopter license, here’s your step-by-step guide on how to acquire one.
1. Make sure you meet the minimum eligibility requirements
To be eligible to earn a private helicopter pilot license, you must:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Be capable of speaking, reading and writing English
- Be able to provide proof of identity
- Not have any medical conditions that would prevent you from obtaining a 3rd class FAA medical certificate
For a commercial helicopter pilot license, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be capable of speaking, reading and writing English
- Be able to provide proof of identity
- Not have any medical conditions that would prevent you from obtaining a 2nd class FAA medical certificate
- Hold a private pilot helicopter license
2. Secure your student pilot certificate and medical certificate
If you are already a licensed fixed-wing pilot, you can of course skip this step. Simply ensure that your second-class medical certificate is current and valid.
For brand new pilots, you will need to submit an application for a student pilot certificate. Part of this process is verifying your identity with the FAA and undergoing a physical examination with an FAA Approved Medical Examiner (AME). The physical is what allows you to receive the medical certificate which you will need to carry along with your student pilot certificate while flying.
The process is pretty straightforward, and we’ve put together a student pilot certificate guide that walks you through all the steps and includes links to the applicable forms.
3. Complete ground school and pass the FAA written test
First find a reputable flight school. Depending on where you take your flight training they will recommend different training materials. Before taking to the skies, you must devote time on the ground to mastering your knowledge of aeronautics and studying important Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. This includes understanding topics such as flight aerodynamics, helicopter controls and systems, weight distribution, maneuvering techniques, and emergency procedures. The ASA Helicopter Student Pilot Kit explains many of these concepts and can be a great resource.
Good news for those who are already licensed fixed-wing pilots: you aren’t required to take the written test. Just learn the helicopter-specific knowledge and move on to flight training.
4. Log your required flight time and master the skills
Private Pilot Certificate(PPC) - Helicopter
You will need to log a minimum of 40 hours flight time for a private pilot certificate for helicopters. 20 of those hours must be instruction and 10 are designated for solo flight time.
Commercial Pilot Certificate(CPC) - Helicopter
A commercial helicopter pilot student must log at least 150 hours of flight time. Of these, 100 can be in any powered aircraft, and at least 50 must be in helicopters. Within that flight time, the student must log 100 hours of pilot-in-command time, 20 hours of training, and 10 hours of solo flying.
5. Take and pass your check ride
The final step in acquiring your helicopter pilot certificate is to take and pass your check ride. Like fixed-wing check rides, your helicopter check ride will consist of both an oral and practical exam.
Once a certified flight instructor has signed off on all the necessary flight hours, and you've completed the required written examinations, you should be ready for your practical flight test. Review the practical test standards for either the private pilot rotorcraft or commercial & CFI helicopter depending on which test you will be taking. This will help reassure you that you have indeed mastered the maneuvers that the examiner will ask you to perform.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I get helicopter training? You can find helicopter flight training at flight schools and training centers worldwide. Here is where you can find a list and get started.
- Are there many helicopter job opportunities? For commercial helicopter pilots job availability varies by location, industry, and economy. Research using sites like Indeed to check the job opportunities available in your area.
- How much do helicopter pilots make? A professional helicopter pilot salary varies based on experience, location, employer, and flying type. You can check out Glassdoor to get a general idea of the base pay for helicopter pilots. Experienced pilots who have completed more advanced training will be able to earn more than those starting out.
- Is it easier to learn to fly a plane or a helicopter? Helicopters are generally considered more challenging due to unique flight characteristics, while planes have simpler handling. Both require the equal amount of dedication and practice.
- Can I use my helicopter license in another country? License transfer depends on aviation regulations and reciprocity agreements. Research and comply with the regulations of the country where you plan to fly. Contact authorities or a flight school for more information.
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How long does it take to become a helicopter pilot? This can vary depending on each individuals capacity to learn and quickly pass their written and practical exams. With full time flight training from zero to CPL-H can take 1-2 years. Part-time training can result in 2-4 years to complete the training process.
Takeaway
We hope this guide provided you with some helpful tips, but to be certain you're getting the most accurate information, make sure to check official resources and to talk with a certified flight instructor from a reputable flight school or aviation college in order to get the most out of your training experience.
Nervous about the oral exam?
Pick up Flight Training Material to help you prepare.
Once you’ve aced your check ride, all that’s left to do is submit the paperwork to the FAA, and congratulations – you will officially be a licensed helicopter pilot.
Want to learn more? Check out our Flight Training Material.
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Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical KnowledgeProviding basic knowledge essential for all pilots, from beginning students through to the advanced certificates, this Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) publication introduces readers to the broad spectrum of knowledge required as they progress through pilot training.
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2 comments
Jaafar
Thanks for explaining step by step… i have a question please. I’m not a US citizen, and i have about 1000 actual helicopter flight hours on many helicopters including AH-64 D apache longbow. Can i apply for the commercial/CFI ? And can i get a job for having this?
Ryan Akbal
Thanks for posting this step by step list, You’ve answered all of my questions.