Ever wanted to ride a helicopter? Ever looked up in the sky and went - I wish I could do that. But maybe you didn't really take it up seriously. How exactly do you go about becoming a pilot? You'll have to take up lessons for the same. What do these lessons entail and are they tough to carry forth? Are there certain criteria that you need to fulfill in order to start taking these lessons? Or can any and everyone be a part of them? The following article will touch upon all aspects of this airline job and furnish you with the basic requirements of the same.
Details and Requirements
So you've decided that you want to be a pilot, but you have absolutely no idea about how to become a helicopter pilot? Read the following article and you'll have your answers.
Pilot Certificates
Some of you might have had some formal training to the likes of having an airplane certificate or maybe a license to run a hot air balloon or something. But for those who are novices in this field, you need to first and foremost get a pilot certificate. For this you will have to answer a written test and then give a practical exam by way of a check ride. The written exam comprises multiple questions and one needs to have a 70 point grade to pass. After the exam has been covered, you will need to have about 65 hours of total time in helicopter rides by way of instructions and solo practice. Once you have both these criteria done, you need to go through an exam that has both oral and flight testing done.
People who have an airplane or other type of license, need to understand that it is not a helicopter license, so they have to get an add on flight time of 40-60 hours and answer the same tests. Only then will they be able to get some helicopter pilot jobs for themselves.
Choosing Schools
Now comes the important part of choosing a school. You need to be absolutely certain of what you're getting into, because no way is the helicopter pilot training easy or cheap. Choosing a school depends entirely on you and your requirements. Choose a school after extensive research. If possible, go visit the schools and find out more about the courses. Check to find the type of helicopters they have, the different forms of schedule that are included and whether they are accredited to teach you well. Only after thorough research should you make a proper decision.
Choosing Instructors
Choosing instructors is much, much more important than choosing schools because he/she is the person who is basically going to give you your lessons. So how do you find out if they are any good? The best way is to get in touch with some of the ex-students and ask them. If there are good instructors, their reputation will precede them. But if there is no choice like this, simply go and talk to the instructor and try to gauge from your chat. Ask all the details about their career, what have their feats been and the like. You'll find that you can feel a connect happen. Also, you need to be comfortable with him/her so try to see if you're getting there.
Helicopter Pilot Training Cost
The entire lessons will take about 8-10 weeks. Anything more and the cost increases. The average private helicopter pilot lessons cost an approximate sum of $12,000 - $16,000. These include things like school instructions, dual and solo flight instructions, certificates, books, fees of examiners etc. While the commercial pilot lessons fall in the range of $29,000 - $35,000 and are influenced by the same factors.
P.S. - Please note that this figure(s) is just an approximation and that it can change according to the schools and other factors. But the range will be somewhat like so. Knowing this will help you arrange for the finances before time.
Even though these costs are exorbitant, it comes as a great relief to know that a commercial pilot's salary is one of the highest paying jobs in the world. So in the end, it's actually well worth taking those helicopter pilot lessons. However, the love of the flight should be the biggest driving force in the end. Don't do it if you're not passionate about it.
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