Initial Rating (for FAA Private-helicopter rated pilots)

FAA Approved Part § 141 Enrollment Prerequisites
Students must be at least 18 years of age at the completion of this course. Students must be able to read, speak, write and understand English. Students must hold at least an FAA private helicopter pilot certificate and an FAA second class medical at the start of this course.

Course Objectives
This course prepares students for the FAA commercial pilot aeronautical knowledge test and the FAA commercial pilot practical test. Students will obtain the aeronautical knowledge, skill and experience necessary to meet the requirements of a commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft category and a helicopter class rating.

Course Description
The commercial pilot course is for private helicopter pilots who wish to continue their flight training, either to gain increased proficiency or with an eye towards possible future employment. The ground training portion of the course raises a student’s aeronautical knowledge to the level required of a commercial pilot. In flight, students will practice advanced maneuvers, such as confined area and pinnacle landings, and 180-degree autorotations. The development of professional pilot skills and judgment are emphasized throughout the course. It takes 150 hours of total flight time to meet the aeronautical experience requirements of the commercial pilot certificate. This experience may include helicopter, airplane or even hot air balloon time, but it must include 100 hours in powered aircraft, 50 hours in helicopters, 100 hours PIC time and 35 hours PIC time in helicopters. The commercial pilot course is flexible and can be tailored to meet these requirements by building upon a student’s prior flight experience. Students enrolled in this course will have an opportunity to obtain an instrument rating or work towards a flight instructor certificate, while building hours towards the requirements of the commercial pilot certificate. By taking courses concurrently students can save time and money.

Additional Rating (for FAA Commercial-airplane rated pilots)

FAA Approved Part § 141 Enrollment Prerequisites
Students must hold at least an FAA third class medical and a private pilot certificate prior to commencing flight training. Students must be able to read, speak, write and understand English.

Course Objectives
This course prepares students for the FAA commercial pilot practical test. Students will obtain the aeronautical knowledge, skill and experience required to add a commercial rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating to an existing pilot certificate. The training provided meets FAA requirements to obtain a level of employment as a commercial helicopter pilot.

Course Description
This course is designed for pilots who wish to apply their present commercial skills to helicopter flying. It draws on the wealth of knowledge our instructors have of commercial helicopter operations.

Ground school includes lessons on helicopter aerodynamics, systems and limitations, and emergency procedures. In the air, students will practice basic maneuvers first, followed by more advanced maneuvers such as 180-degree autorotations.