How to Become a Professional Helicopter Pilot

Helicopters have changed the face of many business practices.

Helicopters are an amazing and unique form of transportation that has changed the way aviation contributes to society. Rescue operations and police work has evolved. Air taxi and tour services benefit greatly from the capabilities of the helicopter. Becoming a professional helicopter pilot is challenging. You will first have to obtain your private pilot's certificate, then train for your commercial pilot's certificate. It will take a lot of dedication, study and learning new skills for you to succeed in obtaining your commercial rotorcraft pilot's license.

Instructions

Private Helicopter Pilot Certificate

1. Take an introductory flight to ensure that you will enjoy flying helicopters. Flying helicopters is much different than airplanes and most flight schools offer an introductory flight that will last 30 minutes or more. Depending on the instructor pilot giving the flight, you may have the opportunity to fly the helicopter. This flight time will be counted toward your flight time requirements for your rotorcraft pilot's license.

2. Meet the minimum requirements that include being at least 18 years old and able to read, speak, write and understand the English language. Individuals must be U.S. citizens or obtain clearance from the Transportation Security Administration prior to beginning training. You can begin flight training as early as 16 years old, but you must be 18 years old to obtain your certificate.

3. Obtain a Third Class Medical Certificate from a designated FAA medical examiner. You will be required to maintain this medical certificate as long as you are a private pilot. The FAA recommends that you obtain your medical certificate prior to beginning training, if there are any pre-existing conditions that would prevent you from continuing training, you want to know before you begin paying for the school. If you are going to immediately begin working toward your commercial pilot's license, consider obtaining your Second Class medical certificate.

4. Complete the required training that is determined by the FAA. These requirements are delineated in the Federal Aviation Regulations Part 61, Helicopter Private Pilot Certification Requirements, and include obtaining a minimum of 40 hours of flight time in a helicopter, an FAA written examination on aeronautical knowledge and a practical examination, which is the flight test.

   There are more detailed requirements that must be incorporated into your training that include three hours of cross-country flight in a helicopter, three hours of night flights, 10 takeoffs and 10 landings in an airport flight pattern. These are minimum requirements that include skills that must be mastered. The average student will exceed the required 40 hours mastering these skills, taking an average of 60 to 80 hours of flight time to finish their private pilot certificate.

Commercial Helicopter Pilot Certificate

1. Obtain a Second Class Medical Certificate from a designated FAA medical examiner. This certificate is good for one year, when it then reverts to a Third Class Medical Certificate. Student pilots that are considering a career as a professional helicopter pilot should consider obtaining their Second Class Medical Certificate prior to their private pilot training.

2. Comply with the FAA Part 61 Commercial Helicopter Pilot Requirements that include 100 hours in a powered aircraft, of which 50 hours are in helicopters, 100 hours of "Pilot in Command" flight time that includes 35 hours in helicopters, 10 hours of solo cross-country flight time and 20 hours of dual instructor time.

3. Complete 20 hours of dual instructor flight time that includes 10 hours of instrument training, five flight hours in night VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions with 10 takeoffs and landings at a controlled airport, two cross-country flights of more than two hours in a helicopter and more than 50 nautical miles from the departure point, one of which is day VFR conditions and one in night VFR conditions.

Tips & Warnings

• Most employers will have the FAA instrument rating as a minimum requirement for employment. The insturment rating authorizes you to fly in low visibiliy environments, using the aircraft insturments. This is an additional 40 hours of flight training, a written and practical examination.

• Consider furthering your skills as a helicopter pilot by obtaining your Certified Flight Instructor rating. With a CFI rating you can continue to accumulate flight hours and earn money by training new pilots.

References

• AOPA: Regulatory and Certification Policy: Aliens and Non-US Citizens Seeking Flight Training
• FAR Part 61: Certification: Par. 61.103 Eligibility Requirements: General
• FAA: Become a Pilot - Medical Certificate Requirements
• FAR Part 61: Certification: Par. 61.23 Medical certificates: Requirement and duration
• FAR Part 61: Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors: Subpart E
• FAR Part 61: Certification: Pilots, CFIs, and Ground Instructors: Subpart F

Resources

• Federal Aviation Administration: Become a Pilot
• FAR: Part 61 Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers
• Helicopter Association International