How Much Does it Cost to Learn to Fly Helicopters?, Helicopter Instruction, Darren Smith, Flight Instructor,


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How Much Does it Cost?

Learning How Fly Helicopters

Helicopter Navigation: Why Learn Helicopters | Costs | Private Pilot Helicopter | Commercial Pilot Helicopter | Glossary | Helicopter Lesson Guides | Helicopter Ground School | SFAR73 | Accelerated IFR Rating | Flight Training for Veterans

The following guide will help you determine how much it will cost to learn how to fly helicopters, based on your goals. These costs were updated September 2006 based on increases in fuel prices at the time. Even if fuel costs were to go down, prices will never get lower. That should be enough motivation for you to start immediately and finish as quickly as possible. Remember, prices rarely, if ever, go down.

Goal: Basic Training - Private Pilot Certificate

This pilot certificate will teach you how to fly helicopters and will allow you to fly for personal enjoyment.

No Previous Experience

Add - On to Existing Airplane Pilot Certificate

Dual Instruction: 45 Hours (Avg) @ $270/hr	$ 12,150
Solo Flight: 10 Hours @ $220/hr	$ 2,200
Ground Training 30 Hours @ $50/hr	$ 1,500
Study Materials, Written Exam, FAA Med	$ 250
Formal Ground School	$ 500
FAA Practical Flight Exam	$ 500
Min Cost: Private Helicopter Rating (40hrs)	$ 13,050
Avg Cost: Private Helicopter Rating (55hrs)	$ 17,100

Dual Instruction: 40 Hours (Avg) @ $270/hr	$ 10,800
Solo Flight: 10 Hours @ $220/hr	$ 2,200
Ground Training 15 Hours @ $50/hr	$ 750
Study Materials, Written Exam, FAA Med	$ 250
Formal Ground School	$ 500
FAA Practical Flight Exam	$ 500
Min Cost: Private "Add-On" (30hrs)	$ 9,600
Avg Cost: Private "Add-On" (50hrs)	$ 15,000

Goal: You want to fly for an income! (Instrument Rating then Commercial Pilot Certificate)

You'll need to build your flight time to 150 hours of helicopter. Most students will get an instrument rating which might take them from 50 hours of helicopter time obtained during the private pilot certificate to 100 hours of helicopter time. After which, the student will obtain the Commercial pilot certificate which would take them from 100 hours to 150 hours.

From Private Pilot - Helicopter

Add - On to Existing Airplane Instrument Rating*

Dual Instruction: 40hrs (Avg) @ $270/hr	$ 10,800
Instrument Ground Training 30hrs @ $50/hr	$ 1,500
Study Materials, Written Exam	$ 250
FAA Practical Flight Exam	$ 750
Avg Cost: Helicopter Instrument Rating	$ 13,300

Dual Instruction: 15hrs (Avg) @ $270/hr	$ 4,050
Instrument Ground Training 15hrs @ $50/hr	$ 750
Study Materials, Written Exam	$ 250
FAA Practical Flight Exam	$ 750
Avg Cost: Helicopter Instrument Rating	$ 5,800

* If the airplane pilot does not have an instrument rating, he would undergo a full instrument rating for his helicopter pilot certificate rather than an "Add-On" rating.

After obtaining the private pilot helicopter and instrument rating, the average pilot has about 90-110 hours of helicopter experience and needs to get 150 hours (minimum) experience to get a Commercial Pilot Helicopter certificate.

From Private Pilot - Helicopter with Instrument Rating

Add - On to Existing Airplane Commercial Pilot Certificate

Dual Instruction: 30hrs (Avg) @ $270/hr	$ 8,100
Solo or PIC Flight: 20hrs @ $220/hr	$ 4,400
Ground Training 30hrs @ $50/hr	$ 1,500
Study Materials, Written Exam	$ 250
FAA Practical Flight Exam	$ 500
Avg Cost: Commercial Certificate (50hrs)	$ 14,750

With no prior helicopter experience:

Dual Instruction: 30hrs (Avg) @ $270/hr	$ 8,100
Solo or PIC Flight: 60hrs @ $220/hr	$ 13,200
Ground Training 30hrs @ $50/hr	$ 1,500
Study Materials, Written Exam	$ 250
Formal Ground School	$ 500
FAA Practical Flight Exam	$ 500
Min Cost: Commercial "Add-On" (60hrs)	$ 17,450
Avg Cost: Commercial "Add-On" (90hrs)	$ 24,050

With a Private Pilot Helicopter certificate:

Dual Instruction: 10hrs (Avg) @ $270/hr	$ 2,700
Solo or PIC Flight: 15hrs @ $220/hr	$ 3,300
Ground Training 15hrs @ $50/hr	$ 750
Study Materials, Written Exam	$ 250
FAA Practical Flight Exam	$ 500
Commercial "Add-On" for Commercial Pilot Airplane with Private Pilot Helicopter (25hrs)	$ 7,500

Goal: Building Flight Time to get that first job

The fact of life is that most helicopter jobs require 1000-2000 hours of helicopter experience before they will hire you. Most folks get their flight instructor ratings so they can build their helicopter experience while earning an income. A CFI rating is required if you want to teach others for a Private or Commercial Pilot Certificate. A CFII rating is required if you want to teach Instrument Ratings to certificated Helicopter Pilots.

Certificated Flight Instructor Rating

Dual Instruction: 10hrs (Avg) @ $270/hr	$ 2,700
Ground Training 30hrs @ $50/hr	$ 1,500
Books and Supplies	$ 500
FAA Written Tests - 2 Exams Required	$ 200
FAA Practical Flight Test	$ 500
Min Cost: Flight Instructor (CFI) Rating (5hrs)	$ 4,050
Avg Cost: Flight Instructor (CFI) Rating	$ 5,400

Certificated Flight Instructor-INSTRUMENT Rating

Dual Instruction: 5hrs (Avg) @ $260 / hr	$ 1,300
Instrument Ground Training: 6hrs @ $50 / hr	$ 300
FAA Written Test	$ 100
Books and Supplies	$ 150
FAA Practical Flight Test	$ 750
Avg Cost: Helicopter Instrument Instructor Rating	$ 2,600

Helicopter Rules That Differ From Airplane Rules

Helicopter Pilot Ground School

Why become a pilot? Maybe you've been dreaming about it since you were little. Maybe it's the ultimate challenge. Maybe it's the confidence booster that can define your life… more

What it means to be a pilot As a pilot, you'll join the ranks of those less bound by conventional limits on time, distance and personal freedom. more

Frequently asked questions about getting started If you're like millions of Americans, at some point in your life, perhaps when you were stuck in traffic and saw an airplane buzz overhead, you've thought, "I wonder what it takes to BE A PILOT?" more

Further Reading-Learning to Fly
Private Pilot Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about getting started

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     How to Save Money on your Flight Training
     My Teaching Beliefs
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     FAA Aviation Safety Program - additional aviation education opportunities

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