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2 Answers

path to becoming a commercial helicopter pilot

Asked by: 1881 views Commercial Pilot

Hi, My son is 17 and wants to be a commercial helicopter pilot.   My understanding is that one approach is to take airplane lessons and get the commercial pilot degree in planes, and then get your helicopter parts (private, instrument, commercial) as add-ons.   My understanding is that the add-ons for each section (private, instrument, commercial) might take 20-40 hours each.  The pilot who suggested this to me points out that since heli flying hours are $300 plus an hour, and plane hours are more like $150 an hour, it actually comes out cheaper to do it that way AND you wind up being a pilot of both AND a better pilot.  Does that sound true?

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2 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    vernh59 on Apr 11, 2017

    Probably the best way is through the military. You get the ratings and the experience to go with it. That said, I think you have some good advice. The airplane is certainly the less expensive way to achieve the bulk of time needed for the commercial rating. I would highly recommend getting a tailwheel endorsement as part of your training. The tailwheel will require constant attention during takeoff and landing and the discipline needed to keep the nose pointed where you want will translate well to the helicopter. Whichever way you choose, get with it. The more condensed the training, the more time you will spend learning new material instead of re-learning previous lessons.

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  2. Joey Abitabilo on Apr 12, 2017

    Wow, thanks for the very thoughtful reply. A follow up question or two: To learn through the military, you can join the Air Force after attaining a four year degree in any discipline (I am told.) You can actually do college through the Air Force Academy (I am told), but their admission standards are Ivy League level, so it’s tough to get it. Are there other ways to obtain military training for helicopter pilots that I am not aware of? Thanks!

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