ETL Aviation’s New Helicopter Tug

This guide provides an excellent review of key material to help the helicopter student pass their check ride. The guide uses a question and answer format, with expanded explanations. This format is helpful for student preparing for the oral portion of the checkride. This edition is written for the private pilot, but contains useful information for all pilots.

FAA issues legal interpretation that clarifies that instrument training for commercial rating must be completed in a helicopter or helicopter simulator.

This legal interpretation clarifies that if the training occurs in a helicopter, or with a device or simulator that replicates a helicopter, that training may count towards the five hours of instrument aeronautical experience required under 14 CFR  61.129(c)(3)(i). However, instrument training performed outside of a helicopter and without a flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device that replicates a helicopter cannot count towards the five hours of instrument aeronautical experience that is required under 14 CFR 61.129(c)(3)(i).

Starting in May 2024, the new Helicopter Airman Certification Standards or ACS will replace the PTS or Practical Test Standards for evaluating pilots during practical tests.