3 Comments

• #1 by Chris on March 12th, 2011

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  To get your private license it will cost $20k to $30k for your commercial ratings it will cost $50k to $60k. The cheaper way to do it would be to go get your fixed wing certificate and then go get your rotocraft add on.

  Here is a list of hourly prices from my local flight school and some information on what you need to do to get your certificates.

  http://www.rotorsoftherockies.com/charter/charter.htm

• #2 by Thom on March 12th, 2011

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  I’d say your Private Rotorcraft should run between $11K and $15K.
  Aircraft run about $200 an hour, instruction at about $45 an hour.
  You’ll need between 40 and 55 hours, some dual, some solo, etc.

• #3 by Apollo on March 12th, 2011

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  Costs
  A private pilot certificate in helicopters requires 40 hours of flight time minimum (US, part 61). Most people go beyond the minimum, so you might actually take more to finish. 60 hours is about average.

  The total cost will depend on rates in your area. Anything from Thom’s $245/hour to Chris’s $400/hour are possible. Rates in my area are now averaging about $300/hour including the instructor.

  If $300/hour is your rate, then 60 hours will cost $18,000. Ground instruction, books and supplies, written test fees, medical exam, and practical test fees will cost more. You might expect to spend another $1,000 or so on these.

  You didn’t say whether you wanted to fly for a career or not. If you do, then you should expect to spend $60,000-$70,000 or more to complete all the training you need. You can read more details here, including sites to find flight schools, etc.:
  http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhwZ_5DnYdjBCrnuy5IT6vfty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090129203329AAsLEQ6&show=7#profile-info-jaT6UIhoaa

  Airplanes
  Some people make the argument that you should fly airplanes first to save money. I strongly disagree with the suggestion to fly airplanes first. This recommendation assumes a best case scenario where you will be perfectly efficient and gain the necessary proficiency in the bare minimum time. Even in a best case scenario you will end up spending about the same. It is more likely that the average student learning at the average pace will actually incur greater costs by doing airplanes first. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, so I recommend against using airplanes solely as a stepping stone if you really just want to fly helicopters.

  Good luck and have fun!