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BECOMING A HELICOPTER PILOT

GENERAL

Learning to fly a helicopter is an exciting and rewarding experience, and one that is sure to
change your life in many ways. Whether your intention is to become a professional helicopter pilot and
pursue a career in aviation, or to learn to fly and maybe own your own aircraft, the process is interesting,
challenging, and fulfilling. Flying is a skill you will treasure in the future and an achievement that will
bring you great satisfaction. Whatever your desires, the journey begins with obtaining a private pilot
rating. Let's take a look at the process.

All aircraft operations within the United States are governed by the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), which is an agency controlled by the Department of Transportation. If you are
licensed to drive a car, your license will be issued by a particular state. However, in case of pilot
certificates, all are issued by the federal government. Regulations regarding the certification of pilots are
contained within Part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR). Some general requirements that you
must meet in order to become a pilot are:

You must be at least 17 years old (16 for student pilot certificate, but you may not take a check
ride until after your 17th birthday).
You must be able to speak, read, and understand the English language.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

You must also meet certain medical requirements and have in your possession evidence of a
medical examination. Medical examinations in the United States are given by local doctors who have met
FAA certification requirements, and are certified as FAA Medical Examiners. Specific medical
requirements are contained in FAR Part 67. There are three classes of medical exams, and the standards
are different for each class. The Third Class examination required for a private pilot is the least restrictive
of the three, and is required to be renewed every 36 months (24 months if over age 40). Generally, all
three require that you are in good physical health, with no uncorrectable vision problems, no color
blindness, and no heart problems. Certain health defects may be allowed under a special waiver granted
by the FAA. In order to operate an aircraft solo, with no one else aboard, you must have a student pilot
certificate and at least a Third Class medical certificate. This student pilot certificate can be issued as a
part of your medical exam, and is valid for two years. When signed by a certified flight instructor (CFI),
this certificate is valid for flying solo under certain conditions.

FLIGHT HOUR REQUIREMENTS
FAR Part 61 also lists the flight hour requirements to meet the private pilot qualification
standards. These requirements include.

A minimum of 40 hours of flight time.
Minimum 20 hours dual time (with a certified flight instructor).
Minimum 10 hours solo time (flying and practicing maneuvers by yourself).
Included in the 40 hours are the following special requirements:
3 hours of instruction must be completed within 60 days of your check ride.
3 hours of night flight training.
3 hours of solo cross country time.

A couple notes of caution here. First, remember that 40 hours is a minimum requirement. Most
students will need at least some additional training. All students are required to pass a check ride with the
FAA and demonstrate proficiency in various maneuvers. Your flight instructor will not recommend you
until he is confident that you have the required skill level. Second, some FAA approved flight schools
may quote a reduced hour private pilot program with less than 40 hours. These programs do not guarantee
that you will receive a certificate in less time, or even at the 40 hour minimum. Remember that the check
ride skill level is the final determining factor. Remember also that it is very important to document
carefully each flight in your logbook and obtain all the appropriate signatures and endorsements from
your flight instructor.

AERONAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE
The FAA also requires certain aeronautical knowledge before you can be rated as a private pilot.
All applicants must pass an FAA knowledge test and present a test report to the examiner prior to
obtaining a rating. Private testing firms located throughout the United States and certain foreign countries
administer the knowledge tests. The tests are computer generated from a large group of possible
questions, so each test is different. Ground instruction can be completed with a home-study course or with
classroom instruction presented by an authorized FAA instructor. In either case, an instructor must sign
your logbook and verify that you have received the training before you can take the knowledge test. The
test results are valid for a period of 24 months. If you do not complete the practical test before the test
results expire, you will have to retake the knowledge examination. Subject areas taught during ground
instruction include:

Federal Aviation Regulations
Accident Reporting Procedures
Airman's Information Manual
Navigation
Radio Communication Procedures
Critical Weather Situations
Safe and Efficient Aircraft Operation
Weight and Balance
Principles of Aerodynamics
Preflight Action

TRAINING OVERVIEW
We have discussed all of the legal requirements to obtain a Private Pilot certificate. Now, let's
look at the training in more detail and discuss specifics in regard to the training program. Here at Bell
Helicopter, we are dedicated to providing high-quality training to promote safe, professional flight
operations. We consider the FAA requirements to be a minimum level of education, so our training goes
well beyond the basic standards and offers our students a well-rounded, detailed, and complete training
package. We have carefully designed the training program to provide a good learning environment and
allow sufficient time for proper learning. However, each student is different and has different needs, so
we allow flexibility in our schedule to accommodate changes when necessary.

Academic or aeronautical knowledge training at the Bell Training Academy includes 40 hours of
instruction on general aeronautical subjects and 20 hours of instruction on aircraft systems. The general
subjects course is designed to provide the student with a thorough understanding of flight principles, and
to prepare the prospective private pilot to pass the FAA knowledge test. The aircraft systems training
provides all the knowledge necessary to safely operate the aircraft, and to complete the practical test
(check ride). Academic instructors are highly experienced helicopter pilots and qualified as certified flight
instructors.

Flight training begins early in the training process and continues throughout the course. Certain
basic training tasks can be accomplished in a flight training device or simulator and then practiced and
reviewed in the actual aircraft. Every effort is made to maximize the training benefit in the aircraft by
introducing new maneuvers and allowing ample time for students to practice each flight period. Flight
periods generally last one hour in the early stages of training, and may progress to 2 hours late in the
training program. Although this seems like a short period of time, remember that the instruction is
complex, new, and sometimes stressful. An hour or hour and a half in the cockpit can be challenging and
exhausting.

In the first 10 to 15 hours of flight training, the instructor will concentrate on basic flying skills
such as straight and level flight, climbs, descents, and turns. The student is introduced to takeoffs,
landings, and hovering flight as well. All these maneuvers have to be mastered as they are the building
blocks for a successful pilot. Hovering flight is generally the most difficult maneuver for the new pilot to
learn. It is very much a muscle coordination skill, something similar to riding a bicycle. Novice pilots
need to be patient and understand that much of this skill comes with practice, and it comes to each person
at a different time. As a general rule, the first solo flight will come between 10 and 15 hours of flight, but
this may vary greatly. The first solo is a milestone for all aspiring pilots, worthy of celebration, and a
highlight of the training program. In the remaining hours of training, the instructor will concentrate on
more advanced skills, such as emergency procedure training, navigation and cross-country flying, and
operating the helicopter off airports. Most of the practice required for these maneuvers will be
accomplished solo (the student by himself) but under the supervision and guidance of the flight instructor.
Flight instructors at the Bell Training Academy are some of the most highly qualified trainers in the
industry today, and work very hard to ensure that all pilot trainees are well trained, safe, and competent to
operate the helicopter.

The final stage in the training program involves the practical test. By this time, a student has
completed all of the aeronautical knowledge training, has successfully passed the knowledge examination,
and has completed all of his/her flight training hour requirements. The flight instructor must personally
recommend each applicant to the FAA for the practical test, and certify in writing that they have
completed all of the required training, and that their skill level is sufficient to pass the test. Practical tests
are conducted by FAA Inspectors or certain non- government pilots who are known as Designated Pilot
Examiners (DPE) and have been selected because of their experience. The examiner will conduct an oral
examination covering aeronautical subjects, and a flight test portion that consists of performing all the
maneuvers previously taught by the flight instructor. On successful completion of the practical test, a
temporary pilot certificate is issued on the spot by the examiner.

Depending upon the student's schedule, and how much time they have to dedicate to training, a
private pilot course can be completed in as little as six weeks, or may take longer based on individual
needs. It is highly desirable to dedicate as much time as possible in a short period of time to training.
Concentrated training helps the student retain skills already learned, and build on those skills to master all
of the training required. Long breaks in training allow skills to deteriorate, and may result in additional
training hours required to complete the rating. For this reason, it is also recommended to have financial
arrangements accomplished prior to beginning training.

COST FOR TRAINING
Helicopter training is expensive. Helicopters are extremely complex, costly, and require a lot of
preventive maintenance when compared to small light airplanes Additionally, flight training facilities
must be insured against loss. This coverage is very expensive, much like the high cost of auto insurance
for teen-age drivers. Another factor that influences the cost of training is what type of aircraft is used for
the program. Helicopters that use reciprocating engines are less expensive to operate than helicopters
with turbine (jet) powered engines. The Bell Training Academy uses the turbine-powered Bell 206BIII Jet
Ranger which adds additional expense to the total cost when compared to a piston-powered smaller
training helicopter. Prices may vary greatly between flight schools. Some will quote aircraft prices
without charge for the instructor, while others include the instructor charge in the aircraft rate, and some
even add the fuel charges. Rates for academic training can also vary greatly, and may or may not include
materials, computer-assisted training, and flight simulation. Prospective students should investigate
carefully their training options and evaluate each on experience, quality of training, quality of equipment,
and overall cost.

The following is typical breakdown of courses needed to accomplish the Private Helicopter rating
at the Bell Training Academy.

206B Flight Training 40 hours
Aeronautical Knowledge Course
Student Study Materials
Knowledge Exam Fee
(FAA) Examiner Fee (if required)

Flight training in turbine powered helicopters is on the high end of flight hour costs. You may
elect to consider training in our piston powered helicopter to reduce flight hour costs initially and then
utilize the Bell Helicopter 206BIII and the Training Academy for turbine transition training.

Please call or email us for current price:
1-800-368-2355 or
BTAAdmin@bellhelicopter.textron.com

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
If you are considering a career in aviation, and in helicopters to be more specific, the private pilot
rating is just the first step in a long training program. In order to fly for commercial purposes, a
commercial certificate is required. This advanced rating requires many more flight hours and additional
general knowledge. Most professional helicopter pilots today will also have an instrument rating, which
allows flight in non-visual conditions. Many commercial pilots aspire to an airline transport rating, which
is the highest of all pilot's certificates, and is required of all airline captains. Needless to say, the costs are
extremely high and the training can require several years to complete. Pilots who obtain a commercial
certificate may not be able to easily secure employment, because companies and insurers are seeking
highly qualified and experienced pilots. Other training options that career-minded people may want to
explore include military pilot training, or aviation training sponsored by a college or university. As
expensive and time- consuming as the training may be, a career in aviation can be rewarding and
fulfilling, as well as exciting and challenging. Good Luck!

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