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helicopters
training FAQs
General
Questions
Age / Physical / Medical Questions
Cost / Loan / Financing Questions
Do I have to be an
airplane pilot
-
Do I have to be an
airplane pilot
before I can learn to fly helicopters?
NO, absolutely NOT! There are many helicopter pilots who have never
touched the controls in an airplane and have no interest in learning to
fly airplanes.
What do I have to do
BEFORE
-What do I have to do
BEFORE I can begin my actual flight training in the helicopter?
NOTHING! There are NO prerequisites. You can
begin training in the helicopter TODAY! We offer a special introductory
training lesson flights so you can try helicopter flying (hands-on) with
no obligation. You can begin at any age when you can reach the flight
controls. There is no upper age limit. You must be 16 years old to fly the
helicopter solo (by yourself), 17 to get a Private Pilot's license and 18
years old to get a Commercial Pilot's (and Flight Instructor's license.
How many hours of flight
training
- How many hours of flight
training does it take to get my helicopter license?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires a minimum of 40 hours
of total flight time in the aircraft, including at least 20 hours of dual
instruction (with a Certified Flight Instructor, or "CFI") and 10 hours of
solo flight (by yourself, after proper training). Most people take a
little longer to learn to control the aircraft well enough to pass the FAA
"practical" flight test. The national average is about 50-60 hours. Be
very suspicious if any flight school tells you anything different. Note:
Pilots with airplane training need 10 fewer hours to obtain an "Add-On"
rating.
How long a period of
time
- How long a period of
time will it take to earn my helicopter license?
That depends more on your schedule, budget, and personal effort than
anything else. Most flight schools like Midwest "tailor" a flight training
program around an individual student's personal and business schedule. If
you can study and fly full-time, it might only take a matter of weeks to
complete an "accelerated" flight training program. You should try to fly
at least twice a week to make good steady progress. If you train less
often it will usually take more hours in the long run to get your license.
But you still have to meet the 40-hour requirement in the aircraft.
Is a helicopter easier
- Is a helicopter easier
to learn to fly than an airplane?
Initially, it's more difficult to learn to control a helicopter.
Helicopters are less stable (but not less safe) than airplanes. But once
you learn to master the controls of the helicopter, it becomes
instinctive. Then, like riding a bicycle, you can control the helicopter
almost without thinking.
After I earn my
helicopter license,
- After I earn my
helicopter license, what kinds of helicopters can I fly?
You can legally fly ANY type of helicopter, including turbine (jet)
engine-powered helicopters or multi-engine helicopters up to a gross
weight of 12,500 lbs. (Only a few VERY LARGE helicopters weigh more than
that limit). The flight controls work the same in EVERY type and size of
helicopter. To safely fly a different size or type of helicopter, however,
will usually require some additional training in that aircraft. Often
insurance companies will require a certain number of hours of experience
before you can act as solo Pilot-in-Command of different sizes or types of
aircraft.
Can we train in the
winter,
- Can we train in the
winter, too?
You bet! Most schools train year-round, all 365 days. There a very few days in the
year that we CAN'T fly. The helicopter has an excellent cabin heater. Only
high winds, storms, or fog will ground us temporarily.
Can I rent a helicopter
- Can I rent a helicopter to fly after I get my license?
Absolutely! Most helicopter centres will rent their
aircraft to qualified pilots but a check out flight is usually necessary.
I've heard I have to
take a flight physical.
-I've heard I have to
take a flight physical. When? And what does that involve?
Yes, but not when you begin dual flight instructions, only before you are
trained and ready to fly the helicopter solo. The physical is very quick
and easy. It consists of a eye test (like the driver's license test) and a
very simple physical exam from an FAA-trained doctor, called an Aviation
Medical Examiner (AME). Unlike in the military, there are VERY FEW medical
(or eyesight) conditions that will prevent you from getting a civilian
pilot's license. Call or e-Mail us if you have any questions about the
medical requirements, or we can refer you to a FAA-approved doctor. The
Private Pilot Physical is good for two or three years, depending on your
age. See more medical questions and answers in our section on 'Medical
Questions' on this FAQ page. Click on "Go Back to Top of Page" below to
get to that section.
Do I have to take a
written FAA
- Do I have to take a
written FAA pilot "knowledge" test at some time?
Yes, but only before you take the FAA flight test (or "checkride") towards
the end of your training program. You can begin training today and learn
the material for the written test (called a "knowledge test" as you go
along. The more you understand about the helicopter, however, the faster
you will master flying the aircraft, so we encourage students to work on
studying for the written test as soon as possible.
Is flying helicopters
dangerous?
- Is flying helicopters
dangerous?
No, not for a properly trained pilot who exercises good judgment. If you
encounter bad weather or have a mechanical problem, you can land a
helicopter safely almost anywhere within a minute or two. Most helicopter
accidents happen due to poor pilot judgment (or "pilot error": flying too
low and hitting wires (or other obstacles) or continuing to fly in bad
weather or limited visibility (like fog). These accidents are totally
avoidable by flying prudently.
If the engine quits,
-
If the engine quits,
does the helicopter fall from the sky like a rock?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! A helicopter can "glide" with power off using a technique
called an "autorotation". As the helicopter descends, the air moving up
through the rotor blades causes them to turn, providing lift, which allows
the helicopter to come down at a constant rate, almost like a parachute.
Part of your helicopter training will involve learning to perform autorotations. However, real engine failures in properly-maintained, FAA-certified
helicopters like the Robinson R-22 are extremely rare.
Can I land the
helicopter anywhere
- Can I land the
helicopter anywhere I want to?
Almost anywhere, with some common-sense and legal limitations. The FAA is
most concerned about safety. They prohibit landing an any area where your
landing would represent a "hazard" to persons or property on the ground.
However, if you have a property owner's permission, the area is safe, and
there are no local ordinances against landing, you may land most anywhere.
What kind of flying
missions
- What kind of flying
missions do helicopter pilots perform?
Helicopters do things no other aircraft or vehicle can even think of
doing. Jobs for pilots include: Pilot training, law enforcement (DEA,
Customs, Border Patrol, Local and State Police), fire fighting, news
gathering, military operations, traffic reporting, heavy-lift work, crop
spraying, offshore oil rig transport, search-and-rescue, air-ambulance
hospital work, sightseeing, aerial photography, and business
transportation.
What's it take to
become a professional
- What's it take to
become a professional helicopter pilot?
As with any professional lifetime career, it takes time to build enough
flight experience to become employable. You first need to earn your
Commercial Pilot's license, then you need to "build time" to be
employable. The subject is somewhat complicated, so call us to discuss the
path to becoming a career helicopter pilot. In the future, though, the job
market is very good for helicopter pilots.
Are there any minimum
formal educational
- Are there any minimum
formal educational requirements to become a helicopter pilot?
There are NO FAA minimum formal educational requirements to become a
civilian helicopter pilot. The FAA does require, however, that you are
able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. So you
must be able to read well enough to pass the FAA written "knowledge"
test(s). Some simple math ability is also required to figure out
helicopter weight and balance and flight planning questions. So you don't
even need a grade school education as long as you can learn to answer the
questions on the FAA written "knowledge" tests.
Can ANYONE learn to fly
- Can ANYONE learn to fly
a helicopter?
Most healthy people with correctable eyesight, normal hand-eye
coordination, no major health issues, proper motivation, and average or
above-average intelligence can be trained to fly a helicopter. Some learn
quicker than others. Some exceptions are people with severe
motion-sickness problems, certain physical or mental handicaps, or an
extreme fear of flying (some fear of flying is normal). A fear of heights
is NOT a problem; believe it or not, many pilots are afraid of heights.
Do I have to pass
the required FAA
-
Do I have to pass
the required FAA
Medical exam BEFORE I can begin my flight training?
No. You can begin dual flight instruction BEFORE you take the FAA Medical.
You must take and pass the medical before you are trained and authorized
by your flight instructor to fly the helicopter solo (that is, by
yourself). The physical is very quick and easy. It consists of a eye test
(like the driver's license test) and a very simple physical exam from an
FAA-trained doctor, called an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Unlike in
the military, there are VERY FEW medical (or eyesight) conditions that
will prevent you from getting a civilian pilot's license. If you have a
serious medical condition that you believe MIGHT prevent you from
obtaining an FAA Medical, you should consult with an a FAA-approved doctor
(called an AME, or Aviation Medical Examiner) BEFORE you begin Flight
Training. The Private Pilot Physical is good for two or three years,
depending on your age. You can find the names of local AMEs on the FAA's
website. There is a link to that site at the end of this FAQ section on
medical questions.
Can my personal physician
- Can my personal physician
administer the FAA Medical exam?
Not unless he or she is authorized by the FAA to do so. Doctors who CAN
issue FAA Medicals are called Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) and have
received special FAA training on the medical requirements for pilots, how
to interpret the regulations, how to complete the proper paperwork, etc.
There are about 5000 AMEs in the U.S. Check with your doctor to see if he
or she is an AME.
What are the eyesight
- What are the eyesight
(and colour vision) requirements for becoming a helicopter pilot?
In general, your vision must be CORRECTABLE (with glasses, contacts, or
surgery or a combination of these) to 20/40 for a Private Pilot
Certificate and to 20/20 for a Commercial or Flight Instructor's
Certificate (with no other major vision problems or diseases). Surgery or Lasik surgery is acceptable, as long as the surgery is successful and
there are no complications that negatively affect your vision and you can
pass the normal FAA Medical Exam. Partial color-blindness is not a major
impediment. Pilots can be granted a medical waiver if they can distinguish
the colours (red, green and white) of an FAA tower "light gun" used to
signal pilot without radio communications working.
Are there minimum or
maximum
- Are there minimum or
maximum height or weight requirements to become a pilot?
The FAA does not set minimum or maximum height or weight requirements for
flying any aircraft. However, you must be tall enough to reach the flight
controls and not too tall to fit in the cockpit. To train in the Robinson
R-22 (2 place) helicopter, your weight should not be significantly over
240lbs; to train in the Robinson R-44 (4-place) helicopter, it should not
be significantly over 300 lbs.
Are there minimum or maximum
age
-
Are there minimum or maximum
age
requirements for obtaining a pilot's license
You can begin training at any age when you are tall enough reach the
flight controls. There is no upper age limit. You must be 16 years old or
older to fly the helicopter solo (by yourself), 17 to get a Private
Pilot's license and 18 years old to get a Commercial Pilot's (and Flight
Instructor's licence).
What kinds of medical
problems might prevent
- What kinds of medical
problems might prevent me from obtaining the required medical certificate?
There are very few medical problems that will keep you from obtaining at
least a Private Pilot's license. Serious medical conditions such as
diabetes, a history of heart disease, any condition that might cause you
to lose consciousness or have seizures might make it very difficult to get
and/or keep a valid FAA Medical Certificate. Requirements for a Commercial
Pilot's license are somewhat more strict than for a Private certificate.
Taking certain medications might also affect your ability to get an FAA
Medical. We at Midwest are NOT doctors or experts on the Medical
Regulations. If you have any specific questions about medical
requirements, we suggest you contact or see an FAA Aviation Medical
Examiner (AME) in your area. We strongly suggest you find a Senior and
very experienced AME if you have a serious medical condition. Most AMEs
will do everything they can to help you get and keep a valid Medical
Certificate. Many are pilots themselves. You can find local AMEs on the
FAA's website.
Where can I get more
detailed information
- Where can I get more
detailed information
on the FAA's Medical Requirements?
What are the costs
involved
- What are the costs
involved
in earning a Helicopter PRIVATE Pilot's Certificate (License)?
The MINIMUM Cost of Obtaining a Private Certificate is about $9,000. The
AVERAGE Cost is about $11,000-$12,000.
What are the costs
involved in earning a Helicopter
- What are the costs
involved in earning a Helicopter
COMMERCIAL Pilot's Certificate (License)?
The Cost of Obtaining a Commercial Pilot Certificate is about $18,500
additional after you have already earned your Private Pilot Certificate
(see above). The AVERAGE cost of BOTH the Private and Commercial is about
$31,000.
What are the costs
involved in earning a Helicopter FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR's
- What are the costs
involved in earning a Helicopter FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR's(CFI) Certificate
(License)?
The Cost of Obtaining a Flight Instructor's Certificate is about $3,700
additional (if you have experience in the Robinson helicopter) after you
have already earned your Commercial Pilot Certificate (see above). The
AVERAGE TOTAL COST of the Private and Commercial and Flight
Instructor Certificates is about $33,000 - $34,000.
Why is it more expensive
to fly
- Why is it more expensive
to fly helicopters than airplanes?
First of all, helicopters are more expensive to buy than airplanes of
similar size and capacity. They are also more complex and consequently
more expensive to insure and maintain; there are more moving parts (like
main and tailrotor gearboxes) to service. On a typical small airplane, the
engine are propeller are the only components that require a periodic
overhaul after a certain number of flight hours. On a typical helicopter,
however, most major components have a "timed life," or
time-between-overhaul (TBO). Some components have to be replaced with new
components after so many hours of service. For example, the main rotor
blades on a helicopter have to be replaced every couple thousands of hours
of flight time. Each new blade can cost thousands of dollars. These extra
costs have to be factored into the total hourly operating cost of the
helicopter. It will typically cost about twice as much to fly a small
helicopter per hour than a small airplane.
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