Guide · Helicopter
A professional helicopter license has its own path: its own hours, its own ratings and its own kind of work. Here is what each authority asks for, how the training is built, and what it costs with our partner school.
Last checked November 20266 min read
01 Helicopter pilot training
Most professional airplane pilots aim for an airline. The airline transport license for airplanes needs 1,500 hours of flight time in all four systems.
Helicopter pilots fly where airplanes cannot land. Our partner school trains for work such as air ambulance, firefighting, utility operations and tourism. The airline transport license for helicopters needs 1,000 hours under EASA, CASA and CAA NZ, and 1,200 hours under the FAA.
They are separate licenses. Some flight time can count towards the other one, but you train and test for each on its own, so decide before you start.
02 Helicopter pilot training
| System | License | Minimum age | Minimum flight time | Medical | Airline transport license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EASA (Europe) | CPL(H) | 18 | 135 hours in an integrated course; 185 hours on the modular route | Class 1 | ATPL(H): 1,000 hours |
| FAA (USA) | Commercial pilot certificate, helicopter | 18 | 150 hours, including 100 in powered aircraft and 50 of those in helicopters | Second class | ATP, helicopter: 1,200 hours |
| CASA (Australia) | CPL(H) | 18 | 100 hours in an integrated course; otherwise 150 hours, or 105 hours under a specific approved syllabus | Class 1 for the flight test | ATPL(H): 1,000 hours |
| CAA NZ (New Zealand) | CPL(H) | 18 | 150 hours, or 125 hours with approved training | Class 1 | ATPL(H): 1,000 hours |
These are legal minimums. Schools plan their programs with more hours: ours lists 200 hours.
03 Helicopter pilot training
Under the FAA you build the license in stages. Our partner program follows this order under FAA Part 141 and includes the flight instructor rating, so you can teach once you hold it. The instrument instructor rating (CFII) is optional.
Under EASA you either take an integrated course from zero to CPL(H), or go modular: PPL(H) first, then the theory and the CPL(H) course, with at least 185 hours of flight time before the skill test.
04 Helicopter pilot training
A helicopter license is issued with the type rating of the helicopter you take your skill test in. Each further helicopter type needs its own type rating.
A type rating is needed for large helicopters, over 12,500 pounds maximum takeoff weight, and for any other aircraft the FAA names when it certifies the type. Training helicopters such as the Robinson R22 and R44 need none.
An FAA rule (SFAR 73) requires special ground training on these helicopters, for example on rotor speed and mast bumping, before you fly them. To fly one as pilot in command you also need extra experience or model training on that type.
05 Helicopter pilot training
Hillsboro Heli Academy, Troutdale, Oregon, United States
Entry: minimum age 18, FAA Class 2 medical certificate, High School Certificate (HSC) or Intl. Equivalent, English IELTS 6.5
The school also offers a joint program that adds EASA ATPL theory to the FAA training. Ask us about it.
Helicopter Training06 Helicopter pilot training
Hillsboro Heli Academy
The total combines the tuition, living costs for the length of the program and the extras. It is an estimate: exchange rates move, and some students need more flight hours than planned. Always confirm the current price with the school.
07 Helicopter pilot training
To train in the USA you need a student visa (F-1 or M-1). A flight school may only enroll international students if it is certified by the US student visa program (SEVP) and holds FAA Part 141 or 142 approval. Our partner school provides the papers for the F-1 visa. The visa decision is made by the US authorities, so nobody can promise you a visa.
08 7 questions
According to the school, our partner program takes under 15 months for a full-time student, from your first lesson to the commercial license and the flight instructor rating. The instrument instructor rating (CFII) is optional.
The legal minimum is 135 hours in an EASA integrated course or 185 hours on the modular route, 150 hours under the FAA, 100 hours in a CASA integrated course, and 150 hours (125 with approved training) in New Zealand. Programs usually plan more.
Yes, but it is a separate license. Some of your flight time can count towards it, but you train and test for it on its own.
Under EASA, yes: your license is issued with the type you trained on. Under the FAA, no, but the SFAR 73 training for Robinson helicopters is required.
A Class 1 medical under EASA, CASA and CAA NZ, and at least a second-class medical for commercial flying under the FAA. Read our guide to the pilot medical before you pay a school.
Compare for yourself: the cost block above shows our helicopter program, and the cost comparison shows the airplane programs with the same calculation.
That depends on your aviation authority. Our home license guide covers airplane licenses; for helicopters, ask your authority before you enroll.
EASA (Europe)
FAA (USA)
CASA (Australia)
CAA NZ (New Zealand)