Helicopter Commercial Pilot Course

The commercial helicopter rating is minimum rating for anyone that would like to be paid for flying.  A perquisite for the commercial rating, is to have a private rating, which can be in any category or class of aircraft.  As such, when it comes to a commercial rating, the old saying “one size does not fit all” really applies.  We can meet the needs of anyone that would like to obtain a commercial rating.  We have listed the primary options below.  These options are listed from someone with no flight time, to options for existing pilots with or without an existing helicopter rating. Please contact us to clarify any questions that you may have. If you have no, or very little, previous flight time and would like to fly helicopters for a living, you may consider our Professional Program that includes a commercial rating along with a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) and Certificated Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII).

Standard Helicopter Commercial Program

Our standard helicopter Commercial Program is intended for students that have zero or very little previous flight time.  The regulatory minimum for a commercial helicopter rating is 150 hours.  Our standard commercial program includes 155 hours.   Within this 155 hours, the program is designed for the pilot to obtain their Private Pilot Rating, IFR Rating, and Commercial Rating.  Why include private pilot and IFR ratings?  The private pilot is a requirement to be edible for a commercial rating.  After completing the private rating, there is usually enough time available for the student to obtain their IFR rating within the 155 hours.  Although you can obtain a commercial helicopter license without an IFR rating, most employers prefer to hire an IFR qualified pilot.  We have broken down the cost of the course with two options, fixed price and pay-as-you-go.  Other pricing options, such as block rates and member rates, are included on on our pricing page.

Commercial Standard Program Length: 155 hours
Commercial Standard Program Includes: Private Helicopter, IFR Helicopter, Commercial Helicopter
Commercial Standard Program – Fixed Price: $72,825.00 (155 x $465.00 + 20 hours ground)
Commercial Standard Program – Pay-As-You-Go: $84,150.00 (170 x $495.00) see note 1

Helicopter Commercial Add On (already have commercial rating in another category or class )

The commercial helicopter add on program is for a pilot that already has and existing commercial rating in another aircraft category or class, but no helicopter time.  This course will teach the pilots how to conduct safe commercial operations in the helicopter.

Commercial Add On – Standard Program Length: 60 hours
Commercial Add On – Fixed Price: $28,650.00 (60 x $465.00 + 10 hours ground)
Commercial Add On – Pay-As-You-Go: $37,125.00 (75 x $495.00) see note 1

Helicopter Commercial Pilot (with existing private helicopter rating).

This course provides the minimum commercial flight training and solo time required by regulations.  This course assumes the pilot has already met or will meet the aeronautical experience upon completion of training.  If you are unsure, please contact us and we will review your existing experience.  If you have not met the minimums, additional hours will need to be included you are eligible to take the checkride.

Standard Program Length: 35 hours
Fixed Price: $17,025.00 (35 x $465.00 + 10 hours ground)
Pay-As-You-Go $25,740.00 (52 x $495.00) see note 1

Helicopter Commercial (with existing private in another category, but no commercial rating)

This course is designed for a pilot that has a private rating in another category, but do not have their commercial rating yet. Although not common, a pilot’s first commercial rating can be in a different category. This is, a private rating (any category/class) is required for a commercial rating, the private does not need to be in the same category.  However, we do recommend that a student add their private in the category first to facilitate obtaining PIC time during training.

This course provides the regulatory
Commercial Add On – Standard Program Length: 60 hours
Commercial Add On – Fixed Price: $28,650.00 (60 x $465.00 + 10 hours ground)
Commercial Add On – Pay-As-You-Go: $37,150 (75 x $495.00) see note 1

Note 1: We have found that when students opt for the pay-as-you go, they generally take longer to complete the required training.

Eligibility Requirements for the Commercial Helicopter Pilot rating

The following items are a summary of the eligibility requirements listed in 14 CFR Part 61.123 for obtaining a Commercial Helicopter Pilot license.

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
  • Pass a written knowledge test
  • Receive flight training
  • Meet the aeronautical experience listed below
  • Pass a practical test (i.e. a Checkride)
  • Hold at least a private pilot certificate

Aeronautical Experience for the Commercial Helicopter Pilot rating

The following items are a summary of the aeronautical experience requirements listed in 14 CFR Part 61.129 for obtaining a Commercial Helicopter Pilot license.

  • At least 150 hours of total flight time
  • At least 100 hours of total flight time in powered aircraft
  • At least 50 hours in helicopters
  • At least 100 hours of pilot in command time
  • At least 35 hours of pilot in command time in a helicopter
  • At least 10 hours of pilot in commend in cross country flight in a helicopter
  • At least 20 hours to flight training
  • At least 10 hours of solo flight time

During the training, there are specific flight requirements to complete, such as cross country and night flights.

Commercial Helicopter Pilot Questions

With a commercial rating you can be compensated for flying a helicopter.  You can be paid to be a company or personal owner.  The most common first job is conducting helicopter tours and/or being a flight instructor, assuming you also get your helicopter flight instructor rating.  As you get flight hours, there are additional job opportunities, at 500 hours you are eligible to fly VFR charterer under part 135, at 1200 hours you are eligible to fly IFR chargers under part 135, assuming you have your IFR rating. 

If you trained with us, we will assist you in getting a job.  However, we cannot guarantee a job.

Yes.  The helicopter commercial rating required 150 total time, with 50 hours minimum in a helicopter, among a few other requirements.  The specific aeronautical experience for becoming a commercial helicopter pilot is outlined in 14 CFR 61.129. 

Yes.  To be eligible for the commercial rating, only certificate requirement is for the pilot to have at least a private pilot rating.  However, we recommend that a pilot consider adding on a private helicopter rating first.  Part of the aeronautical experience for a commercial helicopter rating is to have 35 hours of PIC time in a helicopter.  Without being rated in the helicopter, this must be accomplished by flying solo. If the pilot has an existing helicopter rating, an instructor could be on board, which would allow for more advanced training.  Ultmately, this often makes for a better pilot. 

The primary difference between the Commercial Program and the Professional Program is that the professional program includes everything in the Comercial Program and includes the training to become a Certified Flight Instructor and a Certificated Flight Instructor Instrument.  

For most new pilot with zero flight time, this can be confusing.  If this is you and you would like to fly for a living, the full commercial program or the professional program are for you.  The other commercial options are for people that already have some pilot ratings, this may be in the helicopter or in an airplane or other aircraft. As such, there can be quite a few different operations.