What to become a helo pilot

[flyguy969]

I was interested in finding out what is involved in becoming a helicopter pilot. Are there ratings just like an airplane pilot? What is the general cost? Is it hard to become a helo pilot? Are you sent on x countries solo like airplane student? What are the minimum hours required to be a licensed helicopter pilot? Seems its a lot harder to find a helo school than an airplane school. Thank you for your help

[aviatorrbt]

i was wondering the same exact thing.

[Ian J]

From http://www.geocities.com/cfidarren/hpinfo.htm:

How do I get a helicopter pilots license?

To become a pilot, you'll establish a relationship with a helicopter instructor. You will do some flight training, and some ground training. Flight training consists of actual flying, such as practicing takeoffs, landings, autorotations, steep turns, and ground reference maneuvers. Ground training consists of learning things while on the ground, like aerodynamics, helicopter performance, weather, and aviation physiology. After training some with an instructor, you will be able to 'solo' which is flying by yourself. You can't carry passengers when you solo, but you can go up and practice without an instructor in the helicopter with you.
Get started with your training with a Helicopter Pilot Ground School. Students seeking a rating are required to prove US Citizenship and Flight Instructors must examine and keep a copy of a US Birth Certificate, US Passport, or Naturalization papers. Citizens of other countries are required to register with the Transportation Security Administration prior to beginning training. Information for foreign students.
What are the requirements for the Helicopter Private Pilot certificate?

Private Pilot - Helicopter FAA Rating Requirements

• Minimum 17 Years Old to Take Flight Test (age 16 for Student Pilot & Solo)
• Must Read, Write, Understand, and Speak English
• Obtain a FAA Medical Certificate (Prior to first Solo Flight)
• Complete 40 hours Minimum Flight Time Including 10 hrs of Solo Flight
• Tests:
  • Pass an FAA Oral and Practical Flight Test
  • Pass an FAA Written Knowledge Test

40 Hours (Minimum) Total Pilot Time in Helicopters Must Include

• 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
• 10 hours of Required "Solo" Flight Must Include:
  • One (1) 75NM cross-country Solo flight with one (1) 25NM leg
  • At least 3 hours of Cross-Country Solo flight
  • 3 Solo Take-offs & Landings at an Airport with an Operating Control Tower

What is the average length of time it takes to get the Helicopter Private Pilot certificate?

40-60 hours

What if I already have an Airplane Pilot Certificate (Private, Commercial, ATP)?

You'll take the helicopter instruction as an add-on rating. You are not required to take the FAA Private Helicopter written exam and the minimum number of total required dual training hours is reduced.
Requirements for Pilots WITH airplane pilot certificates

• Already hold a Private (or higher) Pilot Certificate
• Hold a Current 3rd. Class (or higher) FAA Medical Certificate
• Complete 30 hours Minimum Flight Time Including 10 hrs of Solo Flight
• NO FAA WRITTEN Exam
• Pass an FAA Oral and Practical Flight Test
  

What is the average length of time it takes to get the add-on Helicopter Private Pilot certificate?

30-50 hours

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by flyguy969

I was interested in finding out what is involved in becoming a helicopter pilot.

Money!

Originally Posted by flyguy969

Are there ratings just like an airplane pilot? What is the general cost? Is it hard to become a helo pilot? Are you sent on x countries solo like airplane student? What are the minimum hours required to be a licensed helicopter pilot? Seems its a lot harder to find a helo school than an airplane school. Thank you for your help

In addition to what I posted above, yes, there are ratings just like in airplanes. Helicopters are in the rotorcraft category, and "helicopter" is the class. Helicopter certificates are the same as airplane... from private on up through CFI and ATP. Only, there is no "multi" rating for the helicopter.

Is it hard? Depends. I say training is training and even though flying a helicopter takes a different skill-set, most anyone can learn it, much like in airplanes.

And yes, there are less helo schools than airplanes, but there ARE plenty out there. A quick Google search should help you out.

Hope ths helps!

[BuickCFI]

i think in this area it will cost you around 70K for Commercial/Instrument.

i know someone who did the commercial add on and it cost him 20K

[flyguy969]

Awesome, thank you for the thorough reply. I guess how surprised I am by how identical getting an airplane license is to getting a helicopter license. I kinda think that would be a neat add on to have. Is there a huge demand for helicopter pilots needed (career wise)?

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by flyguy969

Is there a huge demand for helicopter pilots needed (career wise)?

Ugh... that question depends largely on who you talk to. I can give you 2nd hand info I've heard from some pilots in the industry. They seem to think the gulf of mexico helo operations are expanding, and there is a need for more more pilots. Others (though fewer) have told me the opposite. Wish I had a better answer, but I'm not in the civilian helo industry. (Yet... I mean, maybe yet. )

[JEP]

Originally Posted by ChinookDriver

Ugh... that question depends largely on who you talk to. I can give you 2nd hand info I've heard from some pilots in the industry. They seem to think the gulf of mexico helo operations are expanding, and there is a need for more more pilots. Others (though fewer) have told me the opposite. Wish I had a better answer, but I'm not in the civilian helo industry. (Yet... I mean, maybe yet. )

Well the flight school I passed today on the way past the airport said:

"National Helo Pilot Shortage, Train Here !!!!"

btw, they are the only helo trainers at the field

[Murdoughnut]

I asked about the helo industry awhile back and someone told me that helo time without helo-turbine time will make it tough to get a job. I guess the only place to get turbine time is the military (unless you're a millionaire).

[Ian J]

To the best of my knowledge, most entry-level helo jobs will train you.

[Old Pete]

Chinook, are the qualifications(for pilot applicants) any different for rotorwing vs. fixed wing in the military. Is there more or less competition for rotorwing vs fixed wing pilot slots. thanks for the info.

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by Old Pete

Chinook, are the qualifications(for pilot applicants) any different for rotorwing vs. fixed wing in the military. Is there more or less competition for rotorwing vs fixed wing pilot slots. thanks for the info.

Well, there are just far fewer fixed-wing aircraft than rotary wing. The Army is all about helicopters and uses a very limited number of fixed-wing for very specialized missions. Therefore, chances of getting that sort of position are very slim.

Every pilot in the Army starts as a helicopter pilot. You cannot sign up exclusively for a fixed-wing slot. It's something you can apply for after flight school, and the chances of getting it are slim.

Exceptions: Commissioned Officers have to go to a Command Course at about their 4th year of service. They have the option to go to the Military Intelligence command course instead of the aviation course. If they do, they may apply for a fixed wing slot from the course (because most army fixed wing is dedicated to intel gathering). This is actually not a popular program because it adds a 5 year obligation upon completion. But, I've had a few buddies go that route and every single one got a fixed wing slot.

As for Warrants, as far as I know they just submit a request, usually after considerable helicopter experience. No idea what criteria is used for those guys to get picked up.

Hope that answers your question!

[Brian]

What if you have instrument airplane when you take your helo check ride? Do you demonstrate IFR skills and get IFR helo or do you have to got through an entire instrument helo class?

Thanks!

[scottyboy75]

You need to have 15hrs of sim inst in helo.

[Blackhawk]

Originally Posted by ChinookDriver

Ugh... that question depends largely on who you talk to. I can give you 2nd hand info I've heard from some pilots in the industry. They seem to think the gulf of mexico helo operations are expanding, and there is a need for more more pilots. Others (though fewer) have told me the opposite. Wish I had a better answer, but I'm not in the civilian helo industry. (Yet... I mean, maybe yet. )

I keep tabs on hiring for both fixed wing and RW pilots, and there is a shortage of QUALIFIED helicopter pilots.
The entry level jobs as CFI normally, for insurance and FAR requirements, require time in R-22s as this is what most schools use. These jobs seem to be tougher to find than the other jobs which require more experience.
The next step up is spotting tuna and other fish for fishing fleets.
Next is flying helicopter tours.
Flying oil rigs in the Gulf and EMS are next. Some of the EMS jobs can pay very well, but the requirements are hard to meet unless you have NVG time.
Other jobs include traffic/news helicopters, corporate, logging, fire fighting.
Corporate is normally at the top of the heap.
As an example, one job site has 18 RW positions that were posted just yesterday (12 Jan). Most of these, however, are NOT entry level positions.

[John_Mitchell]

I have also been looking into joining the "dark side" of flying helo's. I have looked into a couple of schools down here in south Louisiana. They advertise all of the required ratings for about 45-50k, then the typical fashion of instructing for about a year or two. And yes, the offshore gigs are in high demand are only getting higher! Also, a helo pilot flying offshore makes 50k to start, as opposed to 20-23k for a regional fixed wing. Additionally, you typically only work 6 months out of the year...one week on, one week off.

I am still researching everything, but hopefully if things go right, I may be starting flight school in a couple months.

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by John_Mitchell

I have also been looking into joining the "dark side" of flying helo's. I have looked into a couple of schools down here in south Louisiana. They advertise all of the required ratings for about 45-50k, then the typical fashion of instructing for about a year or two. And yes, the offshore gigs are in high demand are only getting higher! Also, a helo pilot flying offshore makes 50k to start, as opposed to 20-23k for a regional fixed wing. Additionally, you typically only work 6 months out of the year...one week on, one week off.

I am still researching everything, but hopefully if things go right, I may be starting flight school in a couple months.

Awesome John! You should PM Scottyboy75 for up to date info on civilian helo flight schools.

As for offshore flying, I recommend this article. (And the whole site in general.)

I thought long and hard about continuing with helicopters and decided not to. Some reasons why are:

- I don't want the week on week off schedule - life in a trailer on the gulf every other week sounds too much like a voluntary deployment.
- I don't want to live on the gulf coast
- While the initial salary is attractive, I think that in the long run the QOL is better with flying airplanes. And while more advanced jobs like EMS, corporate and charter sound cool, the schedules can really suck.
- I think there are more options in general with airplanes. More places to go, more airplanes to fly.

The above isn't to dissuade you at all. Part of me really wants to continue flying helicopters, but I just wanted to throw my opinions out there to help give you some more info.

Good luck and keep us posted if you decide to go to helo school!

[John_Mitchell]

Chinook...thanks for the kind words. I also share your feelings on the week on, week off thing. One good thing going for me is I am single, with no kids, so the weekly schedule would not bother me too much...as long as my week on doesn't fall on LSU home games! heheh

The big kicker for me is that there is absolutely no way I could make it on 21k/year as a regional pilot. On a lighter note, it also sucks that I may never see FL either!

Thanks again and best of luck to you in your career.

[bumflip]

I have been in the helicopter industry since 5-04. I got my first job (lucky), the day after my commercial checkride flying pipeline patrols. Instructing seems to be the way to go, however there are gulf jobs out there if you have an instrument ticket where you fly multi eng helos offshore as sic. My second job in the industry was offshore, but it was not for me. I did some part time work as a news pilot in Houston before moving to East TN to fly Tours, and I have logged almost 1700 hours since April 06. I am moving back to Texas and will probably end up flying EMS...maybe corporate. I am planning on building a little more multi f/w time to try to get my foot in the door at a regional since I am dual rated.

Overall the helicopter industry is growing like a weed. If you notice all of the helicopter manufacturers are backordered, there are jobs popping up everyday, and yes...the pay is usually double for a first year pilot (not instructor) compared to airlines...but the airlines do have better "fringe" benefits.

Feel free to ask if you have other questions! I am glad to be back online here, and enjoy helping out fellow or future aviators!

Christian

[Ian J]

Christian - Great to meet you! Nice to have another helo guy around.

Question though - with all your helo experience, why in the world you want to go to a regional?

[Callous]

Originally Posted by bumflip

I have been in the helicopter industry since 5-04. I got my first job (lucky), the day after my commercial checkride flying pipeline patrols. Instructing seems to be the way to go, however there are gulf jobs out there if you have an instrument ticket where you fly multi eng helos offshore as sic. My second job in the industry was offshore, but it was not for me. I did some part time work as a news pilot in Houston before moving to East TN to fly Tours, and I have logged almost 1700 hours since April 06. I am moving back to Texas and will probably end up flying EMS...maybe corporate. I am planning on building a little more multi f/w time to try to get my foot in the door at a regional since I am dual rated.

Overall the helicopter industry is growing like a weed. If you notice all of the helicopter manufacturers are backordered, there are jobs popping up everyday, and yes...the pay is usually double for a first year pilot (not instructor) compared to airlines...but the airlines do have better "fringe" benefits.

Feel free to ask if you have other questions! I am glad to be back online here, and enjoy helping out fellow or future aviators!

Christian

Where does the Helo pay top out? I mean, if you have to spend 70k just to start, how much are you making after 5-10 yrs in the game?

[Ian J]

I could be wrong since I have no experience in the civilian helo world, but from research I've done, 90K looks to be near the top, with 75-80 more likely.

Very few corporate type jobs seem to top out in the low 6 figures.

[maxlt1]

[quote=ChinookDriver;466199]Money!



In addition to what I posted above, yes, there are ratings just like in airplanes. Helicopters are in the rotorcraft category, and "helicopter" is the class. Helicopter certificates are the same as airplane... from private on up through CFI and ATP. Only, there is no "multi" rating for the helicopter.

quote]

Funny..i would have thought a multi rotor helicopter like a chinook would require a multi rating

[Irish]

Come to Ireland during racing season...During Galway races a chopper lands every 5 minutes. Nice way to travel

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by maxlt1

Funny..i would have thought a multi rotor helicopter like a chinook would require a multi rating

Yeah, you'd think. But, there's no such thing as a multi-engine helicopter rating.