Training

Helistar Aviation Training Information

In order to perform duties as Pilot in Command the FAA requires at least a Third Class medical certificate issued by an approved aviation medical examiner. Candidates are also required to pass a written, oral, and flight examination in order to obtain a certificate.

Rates below include rental and instructor fees for both the Robinson R22 Beta and the Robinson R44 Raven II.

The hours listed below are the FAA minimums to obtain a certificate. Actual time to receive a helicopter certificate will vary from student to student. Flying time builds upon itself and carries over from one certificate to the next. This means if it takes a student 60 hours to achieve their Private certificate then only another 90 hours of flight time is required to receive the Commercial certificate.

We also recently added a FLYIT simulator to our list of training equipment. You can receive 7.5 (at $150/ hr) hours of dual instruction that you can credit towards your Private Certificate, 20 hours towards your Instrument, and 50 hours towards your commercial. The use of our simulator can drastically reduce the cost of your training.

Ground School

$50 per hour

Private Pilot Certification Course - Helicopter

40 Hours of Total Flight Time

30 Hours Dual Instruction

10 Hours Solo

Ground Training as required

Robinson R22

$285 per hour x 40 = $11,400

(When buying a block of 10 hours, the rate is $275 per hour)

Robinson R44

$600 per hour x 40 = $24,000

Commercial Pilot Certification Course - Helicopter

150 Hours Total Flight Time

20 Hours Dual Instruction

10 Hours Dual Instrument Instruction

70 Hours Solo/PIC

10 Hours Solo

Ground Training as Required

R22

$285 per hour x 40 = $11,400

(When buying a block of 10 hours, the rate is $275 per hour)

R44

$600 per hour x 150 = $90,000

Instrument Helicopter Rating Course

Hold at least Private Pilot Certificate with:

50 Hours of Cross Country PIC

40 Hours Simulated Instrument Training in Category

40 Hours Dual Instruction in R44 Raven II IFR Trainer

Ground Training as Required

R44

$600 per hour x 40 = $24,000

Flight Instructor Certification Course (CFI) - Helicopter

Commercial Pilot Helicopter Certificate Required

20 Hours Dual Instruction

Ground Training as Required

R22

$285 per hour x 40 = $11,400

(When buying a block of 10 hours, the rate is $275 per hour)

R44

$600 per hour x 20 = $12,000

Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)

Must hold an FAA Instrument Rating in a helicopter

Must hold a Certified Flight Instructor Certificate

10 Hours Dual Instruction

Ground Training as Required

Flight Time is required in the R44 Raven II IFR Trainer

R44

$600 per hour x 15 = $9,000

Additional Rating Private Pilot Helicopter

Pilots that already hold a private pilot certificate in fixed wing aircraft are eligible for add-on rating.

30 Hours of Flight Time

20 Hours Dual Instruction

10 Hours Solo

Ground Training as Required

R22

$285 per hour x 40 = $11,400

(When buying a block of 10 hours, the rate is $275 per hour)

R44

$600 per hour x 30 = $18,000

Additional Rating Instrument Helicopter

Must hold a valid Private Pilot Airplane Instrument Rating

Must hold a Private Pilot Helicopter Certificate

17 Hours Dual Instruction in R44 Raven II IFR Trainer and 15 hours must be instrument time

Ground Training as Required

R44

$600 per hour x 17 = $10,200

Professional Pilot Program

Becoming a Professional Helicopter Pilot is challenging and a very rewarding goal for the individuals that pursue it.

“Man wants to fly like a bird, not a bat out of hell” –Lawrence Bell

R22

Private, Commercial, and Certified Flight Instructor

$ 51,300

R44

Instrument and CFII

$36,000

R44

Private, Commercial, Instrument, Certified Flight Instructor, and CFII

$135,000

Discounts are available for Block Time purchases.