How to Get a Helicopter Pilot License

If possible, your first step should be to talk to experienced pilots in the field of aviation you wish to pursue or learn more about the intricacies of obtaining this type of license before attempting this process yourself.

If you're interested in obtaining your helicopter certificate, you can schedule a visit with a local flight training facility or start an online search to find a good flight instructor (CFI). Once you've scheduled an appointment with an instructor, the next step is to study. If you're already a pilot, then it's time to enroll in ground school and start studying the basics of flying helicopters.

If you're seriously interested in pursuing a "license" to fly a helicopter, then it's time to start studying the basics through at-home printed and online training materials and apps. The next step would be to enroll at your local flight instruction facility.

Although there are plenty of online resources that can help you learn more about this process, the best place to begin would be at your local flight training facility. This is where you will be able to both study and practice your new skills before scheduling an appointment with an FAA examiner. It will direct you toward the right materials to study that fit within their syllabus.

An initial pilot certificate can be obtained in one of many aircraft categories and classes. Categories of aircraft include airplanes, rotorcraft, gliders, and several others. If a pilot has a private pilot license in an airplane single-engine land, for example, that specific rating only covers piloting fixed-wing aircraft in that same category and class. 

Helicopters are in the rotorcraft category, so a pilot who wishes to fly helicopters would need to complete training with a certified flight instructor and pass a practical test in an aircraft in the rotorcraft category in order to act as pilot in command (PIC) of a helicopter.

It is difficult to give a definitive time frame for how long it will take you to get a helicopter certificate. There are a number of different factors that would determine this amount of time, including the number of flight hours you already have, the type of helicopter you're interested in, and the extent of your training. On average, if you are flying part time, it takes roughly six months.

The cost of getting the "license" to fly a helicopter ranges widely depending on a variety of factors, but it is not uncommon for the cost to be in the $10,000 to $15,000 range. You will also need to consider the cost of equipment and any other expenses you may have while obtaining this certification.

What Can You Do With a Helicopter License?

A helicopter pilot certificate allows you to fly all helicopters depending on the type of operations you plan to fly, and the level of your certificate, whether it is a private or commercial certificate. These include private, corporate, and commercial operations. You will need a rotorcraft instrument rating in order to fly in low weather conditions. You will be able to fly in controlled airspace with any certificate level.

International student pilots need to complete a few additional tasks in order to qualify for an FAA pilot certificate. Applicants should be able to read, write, and understand English fluently, and have a valid international passport. They also will need to complete a TSA verification process. If you are an international student, your flight school will assist you with this TSA process and help you make sure you have everything you need to complete training.

Some countries may require additional or special information, so be sure to visit the FAA’s website for full details on international requirements.

Although it can seem intimidating, obtaining a helicopter certificate is not as complicated as some people think. With the right instructor and the proper amount of training, anybody can obtain a license to fly a helicopter within a reasonable amount of time.

To obtain a helicopter license at the private pilot level, you must be at least 17 years old and log at least 40 hours of flight time including at least 20 hours of flight training from an FAA authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in § 61.107(b)(3).

To obtain a helicopter certificate at the commercial pilot level, you must be at least 18 years old and must log at least 150 hours of flight time as a pilot consisting of at least: 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in helicopters 100 hours of PIC flight time, which includes at least 35 hours in helicopters and 10 hours conducting cross-country flight in helicopters.

Before you can schedule an appointment with an examiner, you must obtain a current and valid FAA medical certificate. This will ensure that you are fit for operating the helicopter safely. You must also have a student pilot certificate to fly solo in advance of obtaining your private pilot certificate.

You are not able to earn a helicopter certificate without first completing a ground school course. This is where you will be able to learn about what it takes to successfully pass the FAA written test and prepare for your flight training experience.

Once you are fully ready, you will be required to obtain a certain amount of flight time in helicopters before scheduling an appointment for your FAA written test, depending on the certificate level you pursue.

You will schedule your training hours with an instructor in order to prepare you to fly the helicopter. It is during this time that they will also prepare you for the written or knowledge exam, as well as familiarize you with all of the available maneuvers in the helicopter.

Once you have completed the training and acquired the necessary flight hours, it is time to schedule a check ride. At this point, you must be able to perform each maneuver required by the FAA examiner.

If you already have a private pilot certificate, you must maintain that certification by passing a flight review as required by the level of operation for which you are flying, which is generally every 24 calendar months for the private pilot level in Part 91 operations.

After you have obtained the necessary training, there is no better time to obtain your helicopter license than now. With the certification, you will be able to fly any type of helicopter and earn a substantial salary for your work.

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Where can I get my helicopter license?

If you are serious about obtaining your helicopter license, it's time to start studying the basics of flying a helicopter. You will need to begin by enrolling at your local flight training facility.

Is getting a helicopter license hard?

Getting a helicopter license is a unique and exciting challenge. If you already have at least a private pilot license (PPL), a lot of the subject matter should already be familiar to you, but flying a helicopter is very different from flying a fixed-wing aircraft. There will likely be a learning curve whether you are new to aviation or not.

Are helicopter pilots in high demand?

Helicopter jobs are not as common as fixed-wing jobs, but there is still demand in many industries for a pilot with this specific rating. Medical evacuation, search and rescue, law enforcement, and media outlets all have need for helicopter pilots.