Helicopter
Flight Training is conducted in the Robinson R22 helicopter, a certificated
lightweight training helicopter which is also utilized for a number of
commercial applications including:
Rice Pollination, Cattle Mustering, Wildlife Survey, Ride Hopping and much more.
The uses for helicopters is only limited by the imagination.
Helicopter flight training will take from 5-weeks to 6-months for full-time students attending for ratings from private to career pilot programs respectively. Students who need to fly or train less frequently due to job restraints or other issues may fly as needed utilizing a pay-as-you-go method of training flying when time permits usually once or twice weekly. Learn more about career opportunities Tennessee flight training learning to fly helicopters.
Dual rating method to helicopter flight training is an effective alternative to reduce the overall cost of a commercial helicopter pilot's certificate. For more information on this method of training, click the Dual Ratings link to the left. Also, see NOTE below
Airplane Flight Training is conducted in the Cessna 150 2-place, and/or the Piper 140 4-place airplanes. The Cessna 150 and the Piper Cherokee 140 are known as two of the safest and most reliable airplanes ever built.
Airplane flight training courses will take from 4-weeks to 6-months for private to career training respectively and as with helicopter flight training a pay-as-you-go method is also available for those who need to fly less frequently due to other obligations. Tennessee flight training learning to fly airplanes.
Instrument flight training will be conducted in the Cherokee, complex and high-performance training will be accomplished in the Cessna 210. Both are excellent platforms for the relative training.
A&P maintenance courses (Airframe and Powerplant) are available for those interested in the maintenance spectrum of aviation. The aviation market is experiencing its highest demand for maintenance technicians/mechanics in years. These courses meet the 30-month requirement of the FAA, and are tailored especially to those who are taking the career approach to their training. This is a great opportunity for those who wish to be rated as a pilot and as an A&P.
NOTE: One of the most important issues regarding flight training, and one which often gets over looked, is the importance of realizing your goals. This is one of the toughest issues facing those taking helicopter flight training. Many who train in helicopters have a career goal. Those taking airplane flight training on the other hand often just want to fly themselves which is okay. When choosing a flight school, students must ask how they will realize their goals, and they must not settle for less than an actual plan to achieve those goals.
Who Can Be A Pilot?
Anyone who is 16 years old or older (some restrictions apply), who can read, speak, write, and understand the English language, and pass the appropriate medical exam, can with the proper training obtain his or her pilots certificate. To old? Not unless you can't pass the medical. There are many active pilots over 60.
Do you have to fly airplanes before you can fly helicopters?
No, in fact if you want to fly helicopters, then helicopter flight training is what you should do. There is certainly nothing wrong with flying both, and there is a definite advantage to being dual rated. There is however, an advantage to flying helicopters first if you desire to be dual rated, but it is not required, and anyone who has one rating, can add another to it.
What does it cost to become a pilot?
All the money you have, and all you will ever make. Just kidding! Flight training is quite reasonable, all things considered. Obtaining a pilot certificate is considerably cheaper than most people realize. A private airplane rating will cost +/– $7,200.00, and a private helicopter rating will cost +/– $15,600.00. Those prices are assuming an initial rating, and are variable subject to the particular school.
It is cheaper to add a category rating to an existing certificate. For example, if you already hold a private airplane rating, you can add a helicopter rating for about $12,000.00, and if you hold a private helicopter rating, you might add an airplane rating for about $6,000.00. The reason for the reduced cost is that there are minimal hour requirements for someone who is already a rated pilot. This does not mean that you can accomplish the rating for those reduced costs however; most can not accomplish these lower times.
If one does not follow the dual rating method outlined below, a commercial airplane rating will cost +/– $37,500.00, while a commercial helicopter rating will cost $50-70,000.00. There are ways to minimize those costs, or should I say there are ways to maximize the rating/cost ratio for those pilots wishing to obtain dual, commercial status.
Learning to fly is my dream, what does it take to actually get paid to fly?
Obviously it is not possible to get paid to be a private pilot, and as a matter of fact it is strictly against the law to accept money for flying at the private level (with certain very specific and strict exceptions). Also, no company is going to hire a commercial pilot with flight experience short of about 1000 hours.
There is however, a way for you to receive compensation for flying as a commercial pilot with relatively low hours, and that is for you to become a flight instructor (see outline below). There is a high demand for pilots, and therefore many instructors are constantly moving on to commercial jobs, and consequently this creates many CFI jobs. The easiest place to get a CFI job is at the school where you took your training.
Most flight instructors are building time for a commercial job, and there simply is no better way to do it. Aviation is one place where you absolutely must pay your dues; there is no short cut.
Don’t get me wrong, occasionally you will find the low-life pilot who tried to beat the system, and penciled in a few hours, but usually it will bite these pilots’ in the keester when they get themselves into a situation that they cannot handle.
If you get caught forging anything in aviation, you will pay very dearly. The FAA can take all of your certificates in one single setting, for one dishonest mistake, and they will. If you get caught forging something you can forget about a professional career (part 135, 121, etc.), because that mistake will haunt you forever.
Pilots are expected to be of strong character, and must exhibit extraordinary ethical behavior, especially a CFI. So in short, if you want to get paid to be a pilot, fork over the cash, get your ratings, pay your dues (become a CFI), and enjoy a long career of piloting. Believe me, it is great!!
The most economical way to become dual rated on the road to a career
(The Dual Rating Method)
The best way to accomplish these ratings cost effectively is to first obtain your private helicopter certificate, and follow that rating with your private airplane add-on. This will result in +/– $22,800.00 spent, and two ratings accomplished. These two ratings will result in about 90–100 hours total time accumulated. Of that time, about 70–80 hours will have been dual, and the balance will have been solo/PIC.
A commercial helicopter rating requires 150 total flight hours, while a commercial airplane rating requires 250 total flight hours (this makes no sense to me, a helicopter is harder to fly). There are specific hour requirements as stated in the FAR, but those are the basics. The flight time of each category counts toward the other with certain restrictions and/or requirements. It is imperative that a pilot maintains currency in all of the aircraft in which they are rated, so during the private airplane add-on training, that pilot will have continued to fly the helicopter not less than 1-hour per 2 weeks, or even better 1-hour per week.
After both private ratings have been obtained, it is best for the pilot to then seek instrument training and this can be accomplished in both aircraft for minimal money as follows: Obtain 25 logged instrument hours in an airplane all dual*. (note that for each logged instrument hour the pilot must have at least .2 which is not logged as instrument for taxi etc.); cost about $4,500. Then obtain 15 logged instrument hours in helicopters also all dual*; cost, another $4,500. Now the pilot qualifies for an instrument check-ride in both category of aircraft, has accumulated another 48 hours, and has only spent $10,000** for two (2) instrument ratings. That is significantly less then the instrument rating would have cost just in helicopters ($12,000).
After following the above outline, the pilot will have accumulated roughly 148 hours of total flight time and will have a private pilot, and instrument pilot rating in two (2) categories of aircraft, and will have invested a total of about $31,790. All that is left to qualify for the helicopter commercial pilot rating is just ten (10) more hours of helicopter dual and the check-ride which will total about $3,000. Total now spent +/- $34,790.
With respect to the instrument ratings above, it is necessary to have an instrument rating to eliminate restrictions on the commercial airplane certificate. Even more importantly, it is necessary to obtain an instrument rating for safety. The instrument rating will open many doors to the pilot because he or she will then be qualified to fly in all weather conditions (not that one would actually fly in all weather conditions). It is required that a pilot receive 15-hours of training in actual instrument conditions or simulated instrument conditions, and that this pilot then log another 25-hours of simulated instrument time with at least a qualified safety pilot on board the aircraft. There is significant difference in simulated instrument conditions, and actual instrument conditions, so it is of my opinion that the student should request of the instructor, that they actually fly in some actual instrument conditions.
The next logical ratings to apply for are the CFI and CFII helicopter ratings. There are no minimum number of hours specified to obtain these ratings, but it will take about 15 – 25 hours to accomplish the training and practice necessary to successfully pass the check-ride. This entire time should be spent with an instructor, so the cost will be $4-6,000.00. By the time you have completed these ratings, you will have invested a total of +/– $40,790.00, you will have obtained six (6) ratings and accumulated roughly 185-200 hours, and you will be an employable and qualified helicopter flight instructor with instrument instructor qualifications.
At the completion of your helicopter CFI rating, your flight school may well employ you immediately especially if you have obtained all ratings with them and have exhibited the qualities they desire in an instructor, and you should seek this out.
While you are earning money as a helicopter CFI, you should continue your training in preparation for your commercial airplane check-ride. This will cost you +/– $2-3,000.00, you will have invested a total of +/– $44,000.00 while accumulating the 250 hours of flight time necessary for the airplane commercial check-ride. Note that all of the hours you fly while acting as a helicopter CFI are logged as PIC hours (flight instructors log all flight time as PIC while instructing).
Obviously, now you have sufficient flight time to obtain your Airplane CFI, and it would be a wise investment to do so. This would take another +/– $2-4,000.00, you will have invested $48,000.00, and you can instruct in both helicopters, and airplanes, and you will always have a job if you are a good instructor. You can see that there are endless ratings, and opportunities when it comes to aviation, and you should continue to accumulate every rating that you have an opportunity to get. By following the method above, you will have spent considerably less than the $55,000 to $70,000 now being charged to obtain only one category of certificates (year 2007 average costs).
But I only want to fly airplanes!
There is nothing wrong with that, it will cost you +/– $37,500.00 to accumulate up to and including your CFI rating for airplanes, and then you can begin your career of instructing, and build your time and ratings and achieve what ever level of flying that you desire.
But I only want to fly helicopters!
Well that is ok; get your rating, but don’t sell yourself short, if you can fly a helicopter, you can fly anything! But what it comes down to is what you want to do. You can start your career with an investment of +/– $55,000.00 accumulating all ratings up to and including your CFI helicopter rating, and you can begin your career.
But I only want to fly privately!
There is nothing wrong with that, and it will be most enjoyable, and the approximated costs are listed above. Fly with a good safety margin, and maintain a high level of currency.
The facts on the final costs: Oh my God! I didn’t know it was going to be that much!
I tried in the above statement to present an accurate cost estimate. The fact remains that the individual student will determine the ultimate, and final cost. The costs stated above are the average cost, and I recommend that no student push himself or herself for an early solo or rating, and they should not let a school or instructor push them either.
Be very cautious of a school or instructor that promises you a rating for a low and set cost. It is absolutely impossible for anyone to know the final cost to you; all anyone can do when it comes to flight training is present you with an average or estimated cost.
Many schools advertise a rating for a package price, and sometimes they try very hard to get you through in that time. No school is going to let you fly their aircraft for free, so what that means is that either you will be pushed through before you are ready, or you will be paying extra.
There is no feather for a student who solos early, and furthermore, an early solo is absolutely no indication of which student will make the better pilot. There are 200-hour pilots who fly like they have 2000 hours, and there are 2000-hour pilots who fly like they have 200.
It probably takes to long, if only I’d thought about it when I was younger!
You are not to old to become a pilot unless you simply cannot ever pass the necessary medical exam, and they are not that hard to pass. You can learn to be a private pilot with good concentration, in about 6 months, flying 2 times per week. You can become a commercial pilot in less than 2 years flying the same schedule. You can earn your CFI certificate about 60 days later. Don’t get me wrong, it takes a lot of studying, and hard work, but with the right motivation, you can do it. It is certainly possible, flying everyday, to earn your certificates in considerably less time.
How often do I need to fly to make the best progress?
Obviously a student who flies everyday is going to make the rating faster than a person who flies only 2 hours per week. Ideally in the early stages, a student should fly not more than 3 (helicopter) 5 (airplane) hours per day, and not less than 2 hours per week.
During flight training, you should fly at least 1 hour, at least 2 times per week (2 hours per week). If you can fly only 1 hour per week, that is fine, but the training will take longer, in hours that is. The reason being that if it is to long between flights, some of what is learned is lost, and you have to spend some of each flight refreshing what you had learned the last time.
It is not usually beneficial to fly more than 3-5 hours per day because you will become worn out and congested with information. Some schools insist that their students fly more hours per day, but I personally don’t think that is good for the student.
Each time a student flies, there is a period of time after the lesson when that student continues to learn significantly. During this time, the student is digesting the information that he or she took in during the flight.
The length of the lesson can also be variable. For example, a student may have a tense day, and perhaps the lesson should end before an hour. On the other hand, the student may be having a very good day, and the learning may be just beginning to peak in an hour, and it may be beneficial to continue for another 15 to 30 minutes.
Many schools offer a pay as you go program; you don’t have to pay everything up front. Not everyone can afford to buy the whole lesson program in one lump. It is better if you can because you will get your rating faster, but hey, it is what it is. You can always purchase block times, and that may reduce the cost somewhat. Block times are when you pay for 5 or 10 hours at one time, and fly them as you go. Also, you can check out financing options available at pilotfinance.com, and also financing is now available through AOPA and other organizations.
Keep in mind that you must purchase certain training materials, and these things will include: study books, a headset, a flight computer, charts, a plotter, etc. You will spend about $3-500.00 on supplies for your first rating, and about $200.00 per rating after that. Also, keep in mind that you will never have to many books to study. The more you read, the better you will do in your flying and your tests.
You are who can become a pilot!
Pilot and Medical Certificates Defined
There are 4 levels of pilot certificates (excluding CFI), Recreational, Private, Commercial, and ATP. Pilot certificates never expire; they are validated by medical certificates, which do expire. You must have both certificates in your possession every time you fly.
The recreational certificate requires less training hours by regulation, but in reality, it takes the same number of hours to master the aircraft as it would if you wanted a private pilot certificate. This rating is also considerably more restrictive.
The private pilot certificate allows you complete freedom in aviation with compliance of course to the FARs. With this certificate, you may carry passengers, but only for the purpose of recreation. You absolutely may not be paid for any services with the exception of equally shared expenses. This is the first step in the sequence of certificates in the climb to becoming a professional pilot, and this certificate requires a 3rd class medical certificate.
The commercial pilot certificate requires a 2nd class medical certificate, and with the combination of these two certificates, you may now be permitted to fly for hire. There are still restrictions, but they are not restrictions by the certificate. Simply put these restrictions are that (when being compensated for the flight) you may not land at a different point than that which you departed from, and you may not fly more than 25 statute miles from your original departure point unless you are flying under a part 135 (air carrier) certificate.
The ATP certificate requires a 1st class medical, and with this certificate, you are qualified to fly for part 121 air carriers, and any other employer who requires this level of certificate provided that you have the required number of hours as specified by regulation or employer.
There are 3 levels of medical certificates; 1st class, which is required to exercise the privileges of the ATP pilot certificate; 2nd class which is required to exercise the privileges of the commercial pilot certificate; and 3rd class which is required to exercise the privileges of the private pilot certificate.
If you hold a 1st class medical, and an ATP pilot certificate, you can exercise the privileges of the ATP certificate for 6 months, and then you must renew the medical to continue ATP privileges. If you choose not to renew after 6 months, you may continue to exercise the privileges at the commercial level for another 6 months. After those 6 months, you can renew or you may continue to exercise the privileges of the private pilot certificate for another year if you are 40 or older, or two years if you are under 40.
If you hold a 2nd class medical, and a commercial pilot certificate, you can exercise the privileges of the commercial certificate for one year, and then you must renew the medical to continue at the commercial level. If you choose not to renew, you can exercise the privileges of the private pilot certificate for another year if you are 40 or older, or another two years if you are under 40.
If you hold a private pilot certificate, and a 3rd class medical, you can exercise the privileges of the private pilot certificate as the 40 over and under rule applies (two or three years).
The CFI certificate is only valid when it is accompanied by a commercial or ATP pilot certificate, and does not require a specific medical unless the instructor will be teaching a student who does not hold a rating in the aircraft being flown. This means that a helicopter instructor can instruct a private pilot for the commercial helicopter rating without his or her own valid medical certificate, however this same instructor would need his or her own medical to instruct a private pilot, or a pilot who is not rated in the aircraft being flown. Also, only a third class medical is necessary when acting as a CFI.
* Note that the student time is much more valuable when all instrument training time is dual rather then the safety pilot method which is permitted.
**Note that the check-ride fees of about $500 per rating have been added in.