Helicopter Pilot Training

Unlike most other aircrafts, the helicopter is much a smaller aircraft yet more powerful and is extremely maneuverable – and of course helicopter pilots have to be extremely skilled to be able to get a license! As a helicopter pilot, you must be able to master your reflexes and be able to make decisions on-the-spot. Helicopter pilots are skilled at handling almost any flying situation, and since the helicopter is small and light, it has the ability to perform any complicated role – whether it is ferrying people from inaccessible locations like mountains and forests to rescuing passengers from oceans. The service is invaluable and the roles are boundless!

These are just a few of the reasons why you need to make sure you carefully plan the whole process of getting enrolled and getting that license. To help you get started, here are a few important facts you should know:

What is Helicopter Pilot Training all about?

Prior to making any final decisions, it is advisable to first get a flight medical examination taken, which will clear you for flying. This would mean that you have no apparent handicaps and that your vision is perfect.

Most people who are interested in becoming helicopter pilots are broken down into two distinct categories – someone with no pilot rating and someone who has a fixed wing rating. Of course, you have the occasional balloon pilot or something more exotic than that, but these are exceptions and are quite rare.

For those of you who hold no pilot ratings or don't have a license, the training would differ from person to person. For the newcomer, it would include around twenty hours of instruction and about twenty hours of solo flying practice. This would then be followed by a written test, which if you pass, will lead you to the next round – the check ride round! The check ride is almost always done under the supervision of someone qualified or someone from the aviation authority, who will in turn put you through a combined practical and oral exam.

Once you are qualified for a license, you can move on to obtaining a commercial license.

How much does it cost?

As with any type of flying education, helicopter training can be very expensive. Anything from $10,000 upwards should be considered normal. However, once you start with your flying, you will easily be able to make up for the amount that you have spent on training.

If you have decided on becoming a helicopter pilot, the first thing you need to do is plan your finances. Be aware of the fact that helicopter training is indeed expensive and requires a long-term commitment on your part. So, if you can manage to pay from the beginning of the course to the end, then it is wise to indulge in this commitment. However, if you don't have the required finances, there are many financial aids that could lessen the burden that you may need to carry. There are many helicopter flight schools that have special payment schemes that could be beneficial to you if you want to complete your training.

Remember that the armed forces provides career options for people interested in flying any type of aircraft. So, if you have the aptitude for helicopter flying, or for flying any aircraft as a matter of fact, joining the armed forces could be a good option. However, in order to enroll for the armed forces, you are required to have a four year degree and you should also be flexible when it comes to work timings.

Choosing the right Helicopter Training School or Program

While choosing a training school or program, you must first consider the cost and location of training. Not all the states in the US have these training schools and programs, so getting enrolled in a helicopter training school might mean you have to relocate. And we all know that the cost of relocating can be tremendous! However, some schools provide accommodation.

The average cost of helicopter flight training ranges anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000 depending on the school or program you have chosen. You should choose a helicopter pilot school based on these criteria: the courses that are provided, the payment structure, the time taken for training, student insurance, safety schemes and guidelines, school facilities, housing facilities, ground-school training program, types of helicopters used for training, staff and instructors, job vacancy programs, and above all, FAA certificates.

Unbelievable though it may seem, there are thousands and thousands of aspiring helicopter pilots out there, but only a few of them make it big. One of the biggest reasons is that most people are not fit enough to become a pilot. Another reason is that some people cannot stand the vibrations and noise of the helicopter! So, if you are one of those people who want to fly a helicopter but are actually scared of flying, then helicopter piloting is definitely not your thing. So, make sure you are physically as well as mentally ready first!