Commercial Helicopter Training
The quickest path to an aviation career used to be through the military; however, the emergence of private flight schools has led to mainstream pilot training for non-military pilots. According to L. Nicholas Lacey of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), only 40 percent of commercial pilots are now military-trained, down from 80 percent from World War II to the 1990s. This means that there are more opportunities than ever for student pilots pursuing commercial helicopter training, both as part-time enthusiasts or in full-time, intensive college training programs.
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Requirements
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Student pilots studying for a commercial pilot's license for helicopters (CPL-H) must be at least 18 years old and able to communicate in English. In addition, pilots must already have a private pilot's license for helicopters (PPL-H).
Commercial pilots also need a Second Class Medical Certificate. This certificate is issued by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) and requires 20/20 vision--either corrected or uncorrected--and stable blood pressure. Further, pilots cannot have a history of mental illness, alcohol abuse or substance abuse.
Training
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Before embarking on in-flight training, student pilots must first complete ground school. This course can be completed at a flight school or through self-study programs.
The training for a CPL-H license requires a minimum of 150 hours of flight time, including at least: 100 hours as pilot in command; 10 hours of cross-country flying; 10 hours of instrument training; a two-hour cross-country flight during the day and another two-hour cross-country flight at night; three hours of practical test training; a cross-country, segmented flight; and at least 10 takeoffs and landings at a tower-controlled airport.
Once a pilot has accumulated these minimum hours, they are eligible to take the FAA exams. These include written tests and an in-flight exam with an FAA-designated examiner.
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Time Frame
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Although CPL-H training requires only 150 hours of flight time, this can take several months to accrue if a pilot is training part time. For example, if a pilot trains for five hours a week, it will take seven months to complete the minimum requirements.
Accelerated, full-time flight training programs are also available. These are usually located in warmer climates where flight training can occur all year. Students studying on a full-time schedule may be able to complete the CPL-H requirements in as little as one or two months.
Cost
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The primary cost consideration for the CPL-H license is aircraft rental. Unlike the private pilot's license, a commercial pilot student can accumulate most of their practice hours by flying solo; this reduces the expense of hiring a flight instructor. Rental rates vary and are determined by the flight school. On average, renting a Robinson R-22--a basic training helicopter--costs approximately $150 to $250 per hour.
Including instructor time, supplies, exam fees and other expenses, obtaining a CPL-H costs approximately $35,000.
Considerations
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Obtaining a CPL-H is the only federal requirement to accept a job as a helicopter pilot; however, there are other considerations.
Before you study for your CPL-H, you should consider the type of job you want once you pass your test. Most helicopter jobs require a minimum amount of flight time, and this is usually in excess of the hours a student pilot gains during flight training. For example, a Medevac pilot usually requires 1,500 to 2,000 hours before they can be considered for the position.
For this reason, many pilots choose to "build their hours" by becoming a flight instructor. The Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating is added to your pilot's license and allows you to teach others to fly, while also logging additional in-flight hours for yourself. You can also log more flight time by flying for recreation, although this is costly if you are renting a helicopter.
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References
- Photo Credit Coast Guard Helicopter image by dwight9592 from Fotolia.com
