Your Helicopter Journey
Private Pilot Through CFII
A step-by-step overview of the helicopter certificates and ratings that can take a student from initial training to advanced instrument instruction.
01
Private Pilot Certificate — Helicopter
14 CFR §61.109(c)
- Age 17+ and able to read, speak, write and understand English.
- At least a 3rd-class medical certificate (or BasicMed once eligible).
- Pass the FAA Private Pilot knowledge test.
- 40 hours total flight time minimum, including:
- 20 hours flight training with an instructor, including:
- 3 hours cross-country
- 3 hours night training, including one 50+ NM cross-country and 10 night takeoffs and landings to a full stop
- 3 hours preparation for the checkride within the preceding 2 calendar months
- 10 hours solo flight, including:
- 3 hours solo cross-country
- One solo cross-country of 100 NM total distance, landings at 3 points, with one segment greater than 25 NM straight-line
- 3 solo takeoffs and landings at a towered airport
- 20 hours flight training with an instructor, including:
- Pass the practical test (checkride).
02
Instrument Rating — Helicopter
14 CFR §61.65
- Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate with a helicopter rating.
- Be proficient in English.
- Pass the FAA Instrument Rating knowledge test.
- 50 hours of cross-country PIC time, with at least 10 hours in helicopters.
- 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, including:
- 15 hours instrument training from a CFII in a helicopter
- 3 hours preparation for the checkride within the preceding 2 calendar months
- One instrument training cross-country flight under IFR, 250 NM total distance, three approaches of different kinds, with one segment at least 100 NM straight-line between takeoff and landing
- Pass the practical test (checkride).
03
Commercial Pilot Certificate — Helicopter
14 CFR §61.129(c)
- Age 18+ and hold a Private Pilot Certificate.
- 2nd-class medical certificate.
- Pass the FAA Commercial Pilot knowledge test.
- 150 hours total flight time minimum, including:
- 100 hours in powered aircraft, with 50 hours in helicopters
- 100 hours PIC, including:
- 35 hours in helicopters
- 10 hours cross-country in helicopters
- 20 hours training from an instructor, including:
- 10 hours instrument training
- One 2-hour daytime cross-country flight, 50+ NM straight-line from origin
- One 2-hour nighttime cross-country flight, 50+ NM straight-line from origin
- 3 hours preparation for the checkride within the preceding 2 calendar months
- 10 hours solo, or qualifying PIC time with an instructor aboard, including:
- One cross-country flight with landings at 3 points and one segment at least 50 NM straight-line
- 5 hours night VFR with 10 takeoffs and landings, each involving a traffic pattern
- Pass the practical test.
04
Certificated Flight Instructor — CFI, Helicopter
14 CFR §61.183
- Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or ATP with a helicopter rating.
- Hold an instrument rating, if required for the privileges sought.
- Pass the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) knowledge test.
- Pass the CFI knowledge test for helicopter.
- Receive and log training on the aeronautical knowledge areas and areas of operation in §61.187, including instructional technique, teaching autorotations and evaluating student performance.
- No FAA-mandated minimum flight-hour requirement for the certificate itself — training and instructor endorsement based.
- Pass the practical test (checkride).
05
Certificated Flight Instructor–Instrument — CFII, Helicopter
14 CFR §61.183 / §61.195
- Hold a CFI certificate (helicopter) and an Instrument Rating (helicopter).
- Pass the CFII knowledge test.
- Receive and log training on the aeronautical knowledge areas and areas of operation for instrument instruction.
- No FAA-mandated minimum flight-hour requirement — training and endorsement based.
- Pass the practical test (checkride).