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Whether you're looking for a new hobby or aspiring to be a commercial helicopter pilot, Fox Choppers will lead the way. We will taylor a curriculum to fit your needs and your schedule.

Fox Choppers will cater to your needs as a student. If you are an airplane pilot looking for a helicopter add-on, a rated helicopter pilot wanting an SFAR 73 sign-off to fly Robinson helicopters, or a pilot just looking for a flight review or recurrent training, we can set up lessons to fit your needs.

Check out our curricula page to find the most appropriate path or paths for you.

Flight lessons cost $275/hour which include the helicopter, fuel, and a flight instructor.

Private Pilot License

The private pilot license is the first step. It requires approximately 40 to 60 hours of flight time including 10 hours of solo flight. Preparation includes learning the aerodynamics of physics of flying, obtaining a medical certificate, and studying for the written exam. When you and your instructor feel that you are ready for the written exam, he will sign you off and you can go ahead and take it at a designated testing center. With the written exam out of the way and your minimum hour requirements completed, you and your instructor will prepare you for the practical exam. The practical exam consists of both an oral and a flight portion with a designated FAA examiner. Don't let test anxiety worry you. Your instructor won't let you take the exam before he is sure you will pass. Depending on your frequency of flight, the private pilot license can take anywhere from one to six months. Students are encouraged to schedule lessons for at least 2 hours 3 to 6 days a week and study at home at least 1 to 2 hours a day. The more frequent you fly, the less likely you are to have to repeat previous lessons to "get back in the game".

Private Pilot License Estimated Costs
Private Pilot Add-On Estimated Costs

Instrument Rating

The instrument rating gives pilots the skill and knowledge to fly in clouds and low visibility. While the Robinson helicopters are not certified to fly in clouds, most employers require their pilots to have instrument ratings. Furthermore, the instrument rating refines one's ability to fly the helicopter, which is necessary to obtain a commercial pilot's license. The instrument rating requires approximately 40 hours of instrument flight time. The pilot must take a written exam and a practical exam consisting of both an oral and practical portion with an FAA examiner.

Instrument Rating Estimated Costs
Instrument Rating Add-On Estimated Costs

Commercial Pilot License

With a commercial pilot license, you can be employable as a helicopter pilot. The training required is similar to that of the private pilot license except that the skill set is further refined. For most, their commercial pilot license practical exam was easier than their private pilot license practical exam.

Commercial Pilot License Estimated Costs
Commercial Pilot Add-On Estimated Costs

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)

For most pilots, their first commercial job is flight instructing. In order to flight instruct, one needs a certified flight instructor rating. There are no hourly requirements for the CFI rating. There are, however, two written exams - Fundamentals of Instructing and Helicopter Flight Instructor. While the CFI rating will allow a commercial pilot to teach, the SFAR 73 regulation requires that CFIs have at least 200 hours in helicopters and 50 hours in the R22 to teach in the R22. Most instructors complete their commercial pilot license at 150 hours, their CFI at 175 hours, and optionally, their CFII at 200 hours.

Certified Flight Instructor Estimated Costs

Certified Flight Instrument Instructor (CFII)

Optionally, many CFIs go on to complete their CFII rating, both because it makes them more marketable as a flight instructor and because they need to log more hours to build up to their 200 hours helicopter total time in order to teach in the R22.

Certified Flight Instrument Instructor Costs