Initial Rating (flight experience not necessary)

FAA Approved Part § 141 Enrollment Prerequisites
Students must be at Bay Helicopters 17 years of age at the completion of this course, and be able to read, speak, write and understand English. Students must hold at Bay Helicopters an FAA third class medical and student pilot certificate prior to soloing.

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

Course Description
The private pilot course is designed for students who wish to fly helicopters for pleasure, and who have little or no prior experience as a pilot. It includes the most important training a student will receive, as good flying habits are formed during the earliest stages of flight training. This training forms the basis for all subsequent courses.

Additional Rating (for FAA airplane rated pilots)

FAA Approved Part § 141 Enrollment Prerequisites
Students must hold at Bay Helicopters an FAA third class medical and a private airplane 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 private pilot practical test. Students will obtain the aeronautical knowledge, skill and experience required to add the rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating to an existing private pilot certificate.

Course Description
This course is designed for students who would like to add helicopter flying to their present aeronautical skills. It includes the same comprehensive flight training offered in the private pilot course. The ground training covers helicopter aerodynamics, aircraft systems, performance and emergency procedures. Students will have an opportunity to brush up on their knowledge of other subjects too, such as navigation and radio communications.

The ground training incorporated in these courses contains lessons on all the subject areas covered on the FAA aeronautical knowledge test and the oral portion of the FAA practical test. Extensive use is made of video and interactive CD-ROMs to present aeronautical principles in a clear and easy to understand manner.

The flight training portion of the course advances the student logically from basic maneuvers to more advanced procedures, using a highly detailed syllabus. Each lesson is carefully planned and includes thorough preflight and postflight briefings as well as home study assignments, to ensure that students completely understand each maneuver.

The Robinson R22 helicopter used in all our training courses has been in worldwide service since 1976. It is considered to be one of the safest and most reliable helicopters ever built.

The hours specified below fulfill the minimum FAR Part 141 requirements. However, it should be noted that not all students are able to learn to fly a helicopter well enough to meet the FAA practical test standards in the minimum times listed, and it should not be considered unusual if they are exceeded by as much as 20 hours. Good study habits, personal discipline and aptitude are all necessary ingredients for successful completion of this course.