About Helicopter Pilot Training
In the past helicopter training was both costly and difficult to acquire. Most training courses were based on obsolete reciprocating or turbine rotorcraft that were both difficult to maintain and expensive to operate. Further, general aviation helicopter programs were essentially taken directly from military curricula that were not particularly useful for new general aviation pilots. Former Hughes helicopter engineer Frank Robinson believed, however, that he could mitigate these concerns by mass-producing small, relatively inexpensive, non-turbine helicopters and at the same time, develop supplementary FAA training and recurrent safety programs that would spur interest in private rotorcraft flying. As a result, the Robinson Helicopter Company was born with the release of its first 2-place aircraft, the R-22 Alpha in 1973. Subsequently, Robinson has gone from this first version to a cluster of aircraft ranging from Float, Electronic News Production (ENP) and Law Enforcement variants based on Robinson's follow-on 4-place R-44, and is currently in the process of certifying its first turbine version the R-66. Along the way the company has become the largest manufacturer of light helicopters in the world with more than 8,000 aircraft delivered, and chances are that if a general aviation helicopter pilot was trained in the last 36 years he or she learned in the cockpit of a Robinson.
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Necessary FAA Requirements To Begin Helicopter Training
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Candidates must be at least 17 years old; read, speak, write and understand the English language; pass and hold a Third-Class Medical Certificate; be willing to undergo and complete a prescribed course of ground and flight training, including the completion of all applicable instructor endorsements; willing to undergo and complete a prescribed course associated with theoretical aeronautic knowledge as well as the application and completion of a series of practical tests; and complete and pass all applicable ground and flight check-rides.
The Initial Helicopter Experience
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For the uninitiated, the first experience in a helicopter can be exciting to be sure. In the case of fixed-wing aircraft there are typical engine noises associated with power start-up, but there is little vibration associated with the experience. In the case of a helicopter, however there is a degree of airframe vibration as the main and tail rotor systems begin to spin-up to operating RPM. Quickly, however these vibrations smooth out and after all of the required pre-takeoff check lists are completed, one finds oneself ready to fly. A helicopter controls the aircraft activating three control devices; the cyclic (these inputs generate the "all-angle" tilt of the main rotor system); the collective (these inputs change the "up and down" pitch of the main rotor blades); and the tail rotor pedals (these inputs change the "left-right" angle of the tail rotor blades.) This is the reason that many call flying a helicopter the process of standing on one foot, while patting one's head and rubbing one's belly--all at the same time.
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Cost
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Helicopter training is not exactly cheap but the basic course that leads to an FAA Private Pilot-Helicopter ticket is considerably less than it used to be. Costs for a typical West Coast-based training operation are as follows:
30 hours of dual instruction at $250.00 per hour
10 hours of solo practice at $200.00 per hour
40 hours of ground instruction at $50.00 per hourThis cost of $11,500 does not include final FAA written test and practical check-ride. Additionally the values herein are based on the minimum number of hours called for from the FAA and a student may require more than the allotted hours to complete his license.
Time Frame
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In the case of helicopter training, time is relative. Some students can complete a course in two or three months then move on to daily flying. For others, however, the challenge requires a bit more time; it just depends on the individual.
Personal or Career Track
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Helicopter training can begin as a daily private evolution all the way up to an ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) ticket that allows a professional pilot to make a fairly good living. Helicopters are highly useful aircraft and used in all kinds of commercial flying from News to Business flying, or more challenging jobs such as Tower and Power Wire Inspection or Heli-logging. It all depends on the student and his/her career goals. Nonetheless all of these jobs begin with the ubiquitous Robinson R-22 as the initial aircraft type, and with the continual growth of this little aircraft, the future of the industry is secured.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image By Robinson Helicopter, Torrance CA.
