Helicopter Flight School » Licensing Costs » Private Pilot License
Click on the links below to view the details for each Private Pilot License.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".
After you complete your private pilot license, you will be allowed to rent a helicopter on your own and take your friends and family for rides. With a private pilot license you are not legally allowed to fly for hire.
Minimum Requirements:
Other Associated Costs
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
Private Pilot Add-On Cost
After you complete your private pilot license, you will be allowed to rent a helicopter on your own and take your friends and family for rides. With a private pilot license you are not legally allowed to fly for hire.
Minimum Requirements:
- 40 hours of total flight time (Time is broken down below)
- 20 hours of flight time with an instructor in a helicopter
- 3 hours of cross country time in a helicopter (1 stop at another location at least 25 NM from the departure point)
- 3 hours of night flight
- 1 night cross country flight over 50 NM total distance
- 10 hours of solo flight time in a helicopter
- 3 hours of cross country time
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Instruction | 30 | $ 275 | $ 8,250 |
| Solo Flight | 10 | $ 265 | $ 2,650 |
| MINIMUM COST for Private Pilot License | 40 | $ 11,650 |
Other Associated Costs
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Instruction (Optional) | 15 | $ 45 | $ 675 |
| Books/Materials | $ 307 | ||
| Practical Test Helicopter Rental | 1 | $ 275 | $ 275 |
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
The private pilot add-on is for rated pilots who would like to fly helicopters. Some of the hours from your existing pilot's license can be credited towards your helicopter add-on. There is no knowledge test requirement and the oral/practical exam is abbreviated.
After you complete your private pilot add-on, you will be allowed to rent a helicopter on your own and take your friends and family for rides. With a private pilot license you are not legally allowed to fly for hire.
Minimum Requirements:
Other Associated Costs
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
Commercial Pilot License
After you complete your private pilot add-on, you will be allowed to rent a helicopter on your own and take your friends and family for rides. With a private pilot license you are not legally allowed to fly for hire.
Minimum Requirements:
- 20 hours of flight time with an instructor in a helicopter
- 10 hours of solo flight time in a helicopter
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Instruction | 20 | $ 275 | $ 5,500 |
| Solo Flight | 10 | $ 265 | $ 2,650 |
| MINIMUM COST for Private Pilot License | 30 | $ 8,150 |
Other Associated Costs
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Instruction (Optional) | 5 | $ 45 | $ 225 |
| Books/Materials | $ 115 | ||
| Practical Test Helicopter Rental | 1 | $ 275 | $ 275 |
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
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 exams.
Minimum Requirements:
Other Associated Costs
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
Commercial Pilot Add-On Cost
Minimum Requirements:
- 150 hours of total flight time - 50 hours remaining with instrument rating complete (Time is broken down below)
- 100 hours in powered aircraft - completed with instrument rating complete
- 50 hours in helicopters - completed with instrument rating complete
- 100 hours of PIC flight time - 40 hours remaining with instrument rating complete
- 35 hours PIC in helicopters - completed with instrument rating complete
- 10 hours PIC cross-country in helicopters - completed with instrument rating complete
- 20 hours of flight training in a helicopter - completed with private complete
- 10 hours of instrument training - completed with instrument rating complete
- 1 cross-country of at least 2 hours in helicopters in day VFR conditions consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 NM - completed with private complete
- 1 cross-country of at least 2 hours in helicopters in night VFR conditions consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 NM - completed with private complete
- 3 hours in preparation for the practical test within 60 days of the exam
- 10 hours of solo flight in a helicopter - completed with private complete
- 1 cross-country flight with landings at a minimum of three points, with one segment consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 50 NM - completed with private complete
- 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (each involving a flight in the traffic pattern)
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Instruction | 3 | $ 275 | $ 825 |
| Additional Flight Time (10 hours solo minimum) | 47 | $ 265 | $ 12,455 |
| MINIMUM COST for Instrument Rating | $ 12,105 |
Other Associated Costs
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Instruction (Optional) | 5 | $ 45 | $ 225 |
| Books/Materials | $ 42 | ||
| Practical Test Helicopter Rental | 1 | $ 275 | $ 275 |
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
The commercial add-on rating is for commercial pilots who are rated in another category and class of aircraft. With most of the requirements out of the way, a commercial add-on is nothing more than a few additional flight hours and a checkride. There is no written exam requirement and the practical exam is abbreviated.
Minimum Requirements:
Other Associated Costs
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
Instrument Rating
Minimum Requirements:
- 150 hours of total flight time - completed with airplane commercial rating complete
- 100 hours in powered aircraft - completed with airplane commercial rating complete
- 50 hours in helicopters - completed with instrument rating complete
- 100 hours of PIC flight time - completed with airplane commercial rating complete
- 35 hours PIC in helicopters - completed with instrument rating complete
- 10 hours PIC cross-country in helicopters - completed with instrument rating complete
- 20 hours of flight training in a helicopter - completed with private complete
- 10 hours of instrument training - completed with instrument rating complete
- 1 cross-country of at least 2 hours in helicopters in day VFR conditions consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 NM - completed with private complete
- 1 cross-country of at least 2 hours in helicopters in night VFR conditions consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 NM - completed with private complete
- 3 hours in preparation for the practical test within 60 days of the exam
- 10 hours of solo flight in a helicopter - completed with private complete
- 1 cross-country flight with landings at a minimum of three points, with one segment consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 50 NM - completed with private complete
- 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (each involving a flight in the traffic pattern
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Instruction | 3 | $ 275 | $ 825 |
| Additional Flight Time (10 hours solo minimum) | 47 | $ 265 | $ 12,455 |
| MINIMUM COST for Instrument Rating | $ 13,280 |
Other Associated Costs
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Instruction (Optional) | NONE | N/A | |
| Books/Materials | $ 7 | ||
| Practical Test Helicopter Rental | 1 | $ 275 | $ 275 |
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
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.
Private pilots aspiring to get their commercial pilot license are encouraged to pursue an instrument rating - not only to refine their skills, but because all of their training time towards getting their instrument rating is credited towards the training required to get their commercial pilot license.
Minimum Requirements:
Other Associated Costs
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
Instrument Rating Add-On Cost
Private pilots aspiring to get their commercial pilot license are encouraged to pursue an instrument rating - not only to refine their skills, but because all of their training time towards getting their instrument rating is credited towards the training required to get their commercial pilot license.
Minimum Requirements:
- 40 hours of instrument flight time
- 15 hours of instrument flight time with an instructor in a helicopter
- 1 IFR cross-country flight of at least 100 NM in a helicopter
- 3 hours of instrument flight time with an instructor within 30 days of the practical exam
- 50 hours of PIC cross-country flight time
- By completing your instrument rating in the R44 instrument trainer, you log the required time in the R44 to be able to act as PIC (5 hours required) and teach in the R44 (25 hours required if the pilot already has 25 in the R22) - a unique qualification sought after by many employers.
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument Flight Time in the R44 Instrument Trainer | 40 | $ 550 | $ 22,000 |
| Additional PIC Cross-Country Time | 7 | $ 525 | $ 3,675 |
| MINIMUM COST for Instrument Rating | $ 25,675 |
Other Associated Costs
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Instruction (Optional) | 15 | $ 45 | $ 675 |
| Books/Materials | $ 42 | ||
| Practical Test Helicopter Rental | 1 | $ 450 | $ 450 |
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
The instrument rating add-on is for pilots who already have their instrument rating in a different category aircraft. Most of the hours from your existing instrument rating can be credited towards your helicopter add-on. There is no knowledge test requirement and the oral/practical exam is abbreviated.
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.
Minimum Requirements:
Other Associated Costs
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
Certified Flight Instrument Instructor (CFI)
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.
Minimum Requirements:
- 15 hours of instrument flight time with an instructor in a helicopter
- 1 IFR cross-country flight of at least 100 NM in a helicopter
- 3 hours of instrument flight time with an instructor within 30 days of the practical exam
- By completing your instrument rating add-on in the R44 instrument trainer, you log the required time in the R44 to be able to act as PIC (5 hours required) and teach in the R44 (25 hours required if the pilot already has 25 in the R22) - a unique qualification sought after by many employers.
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument Flight Time in the R44 Instrument Trainer | 15 | $ 550 | $ 8,250 |
| MINIMUM COST for Instrument Rating | $ 8,250 |
Other Associated Costs
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Instruction (Optional) | 5 | $ 45 | $ 225 |
| Books/Materials | NONE | ||
| Practical Test Helicopter Rental | 1 | $ 450 | $ 450 |
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
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.
Minimum Requirements:
Other Associated Costs
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
Certified Flight Instrument Instructor (CFII)
Minimum Requirements:
- 3 hours in preparation for the practical test within 60 days of the exam
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Instruction | 3 | $ 275 | $ 825 |
| MINIMUM COST for Instrument Rating | $ 825 |
Other Associated Costs
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Instruction (Optional) | 5 | $ 45 | $ 225 |
| Books/Materials | $ 55 ($0 for CFI Add-On) | ||
| Practical Test Helicopter Rental | 1 | $ 275 | $ 275 |
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
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.
The CFII rating requires an instrument rating and a CFI rating. Having completed both (the instrument rating in the R44 instrument trainer) you will have enough hours to teach in the R44 as well.
The written exam is from the same question pool as the instrument rating written exam, so if you plan to pursue the CFII, make sure to take both exams on the same day so you don't have to study to retake the same exam later.
Minimum Requirements:
Other Associated Costs
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
The CFII rating requires an instrument rating and a CFI rating. Having completed both (the instrument rating in the R44 instrument trainer) you will have enough hours to teach in the R44 as well.
The written exam is from the same question pool as the instrument rating written exam, so if you plan to pursue the CFII, make sure to take both exams on the same day so you don't have to study to retake the same exam later.
Minimum Requirements:
- 3 hours in preparation for the practical test within 60 days of the exam
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Instruction | 3 | $ 275 | $ 825 |
| MINIMUM COST for Instrument Rating | $ 825 |
Other Associated Costs
| Minimum Hours | Hourly Rate | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Instruction (Optional) | 5 | $ 45 | $ 225 |
| Books/Materials | $ 7 ($0 for CFI Add-On) | ||
| Practical Test Helicopter Rental | 1 | $ 450 | $ 450 |
Financial Aid is available. Apply today.
