"What can I do with a private pilot license in a helicopter?"
Private pilots can carry passengers and baggage, so long as the trip isn't for commercial hire (requires a commercial pilot license). According to regulations, a private pilot cannot receive any payment for flying, although you can share (but you must pay your pro-rata share) costs of fuel and rental with your passengers.
Most private pilots fly for fun or on personal and business travel.
Requirements to be eligible for the license
General requirements.
- You must be 16 years old to solo and become a student pilot.
- You must be 17 years old to take the checkride.
- You must be able to read, write, understand, and speak English.
- You must visit an FAA Flight Surgeon, pass a medical exam, and hold an FAA medical certificate prior to your first solo.
- You must fly at least 40 hours and complete the aeronautical requirements (see below for details).
- You must complete a course of ground instruction with a Certified Flight or Ground Instructor.
- You must receive a grade of 90% or better on the FAA Private Pilot Helicopter Written Knowledge Test (Add on: If you already hold a private pilot license in another category you are not required to take the written exam).
- You must pass an FAA oral and practical flight test with an FAA Designated Examiner (checkride).
Aeronautical experience. Your flight training will include at least 40 hours in helicopters, and includes both "dual" flight instruction and "solo" time:
- 30 hours dual flight instruction with a Certified Flight
Instructor, which includes the following:
- 20 hours of dual before solo in the R22 (specifically for Robinson R22s)
- 3 hours of dual cross-country flight training
- 3 hours dual instruction at night, including 1 cross-country flight of at least 50nm and at least 10 takeoffs and landings at an airport
- 3 hours flight instruction within 60 days preceding your checkride
- 10 hours of solo flight, which includes the following:
- At least 3 hours of cross-country solo flight, including one 75nm cross-country solo flight with landings at at least 3 points, and one leg of at least 25nm
- 3 solo take-offs & landings at an airport with an operating control tower
Ground training. In addition, flight training at Golden Gate Helicopters includes ground training tailored to your needs and delivered individually by your instructor.
Stage checks. At the end of each phase of training (Solo, Cross-country, and Advanced maneuvers and test prep) you will complete several quizzes and study sections, and you'll satisfactorily complete a Stage Check with a company check-instructor.
Photos by M Ian Farmer, holder of an ATP Airplane license and a Commercial Rotorcraft license from GGH.