Bay Helicoptours | Training

Flight Training Specializing in Enstrom Flight Instruction Enstrom Helicopter owners can benefit from lower factory insurance rates with our instruction.
Federal Aviation Administration Minimum Requirements for Private Helicopter License

Approximate cost:
	30 Hours Flight Instruction 10 Hours of Solo flight time Ground Instruction/Written Test Required Book and Materials Medical Certificate Total cost: FAA Minimum Requirements	$10,500.00 $3,500.00 $450.00 $150.00 $150.00 $14,750.00
	It is extremely rare that anyone can master the skills required to Pass the Private Pilot Test Examination with minimum time. A more realistic cost & times are reflected below.

Student Pilot License Allows pilot to fly a helicopter alone, in clear weather, during the day, uncompensated. Flights must be within 25 miles of the Bay Area. FAA Minimum Requirements: NONE

Approximate cost:
	25 Hours Flight Instruction Medical Certificate Ground Instruction Total cost:	$8,750.00 $150.00 $300.00 $9,200.00

Student Pilot License - Extended flight privileges Add to above Allows pilot to fly a helicopter alone, in clear weather, during the day, uncompensated. CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHTS ( Greater than 25 miles ) FAA Minimum Requirements: WRITTEN TEST

Approximate cost:
	5 hours of aircraft instruction Ground Instruction for Written Test FAA Written Test Books and Materials Approximate Additional cost:	$1,750.00 $450.00 $150.00 $150.00 $2,500.00

Private Pilot Helicopter Allows pilot to fly helicopter with passengers, in clear weather, day or night, uncompensated. Unlimited flight distances. FAA Minimum Requirements: STUDENT PILOT LICENSE WITH EXTENDED FLIGHT PRIVILEGES.

Approximate cost:
	50 Hours of instruction FAA Flight Test Fees Approximate Additional cost:	$17,500.00 $600.00 $18,100.00

Commercial Pilot Helicopter Allows pilot to be compensated for flying activities such as aerial photography, sightseeing tours, flight rides and other business related flight requirements. FAA Minimum Requirements: Pilots who currently hold a commercial airplane pilots license & student helicopter license.

Approximate cost:
	Additional Flight Time 20 Hours FAA Flight Test Total cost:	$7000.00 $600.00 $7,600.00

Commercial Helicopter Only pilots FAA Minimum Requirements: 150 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME 10 HOURS OF INSTRUMENT TRAINING SECOND WRITTEN TEST ( for pilots who have not passed the FAA Commercial Written Test ).

Approximate cost:
	Additional Flight time 72 Hours Ground School Written Test FAA Flight Test Additional cost:	$25,200.00 $350.00 $150.00 $600.00 $26,300.00

Helicopter Flight Instructor *Learn to become a certified flight instructor* FAA Minimum Requirements: Requirements vary with flight experience.

Approximate cost:
	Contact Us for additional information Total cost:	TBD

FAQs Instructors and the FAA have determined that although the 'minimum' required hours for a license has been established at 40 hours, most pilots agree that 80 hours is a more realistic number of flight training hours necessary to produce a safe helicopter pilot. It is unrealistic to believe that a helicopter private pilots license would cost less than $ 25,000. Bay Helicoptours, through years of experience, has determined that pilots who currently possess a 'fixed wing' airplane license have no advantage controlling the helicopter over a student with no aeronautical experience. *Pilots with airplane certificates are not required to take the FAA written test.* *Pilots with airplane experience need only 50 hours in helicopters for a commercial rating as per FAA minimums.* *Experience has shown that Commercial Airplane Pilots wishing to add Commercial Helicopter License require approximately 80 hours in helicopters.*