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Helicopter transition

Asked by: 8541 views Helicopter

When I get the funds going, I'm considering adding on some helicopter ratings.  Any advice from anyone who has transitioned from airplanes to help the training go smoother?  Anyone trained in helicopters in Alaska (looking for recommendations on places to train as well)?  Thanks.

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  1. Thomas Vaillencourt on Feb 14, 2011

    I did in fact get my private first in Airplanes, before transitioning to Helicopters. The one thing I can offer for advice first and foremost is that although you are doing an add-on, do not expect to do it in the minimum time. Helicopters are so vastly different than airplanes, it will still take most pilots the usual 35-50 hours to accomplish the private. Also, unless you are planning to own a helicopter, or make a career of flying helicopters, do not waste your money training in them. Unlike airplanes, you cannot get your Private, and then just go out and rent one when you want to fly. (Well you can- but the places where this is possible are extremely, extremely rare) Alaska is a great place to fly Helicopters, and there are plenty of operators hiring if you have at least a Helicopter CFII and a minimum of 1000 to 1500 hrs in commercial helicopter operations.  As far as training there goes, or anywhere in North America for that matter, Try searching at Vertical Magazines site (http://verticalmag.com/training/) Every year they publish a North American Helicopter flight training directory.  The last bib of advice I can give on training, is look for a part 141 school. The structured FAA approved syllibus requires less hours of instruction and usually a higher quality instruction as well… At least it has in my experience.

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