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Learn How to Become a Helicopter Pilot

You must train on helicopters but you will get all the same licenses or certificates as they are called as a pilot who flys airplanes. You will have to start with a Private Pilot's License and then move up to your Commercial License. Most helicopter students train on a lightweight aircraft like the R-22 Helicopter manufactured by Robinson Helicopters.

You can choose to be trained under Part 61 or 141 of the FAA at a variety of schools or training facilities. When you are choosing schools, keep in mind that a large school may have more financing options and perhaps newer equipment but you may be competing with lots of other students for flight time thus prolonging your training period and thus increasing your costs. Smaller schools can offer equivalent quality in training so don't count them out. You may get more one on one instructor time.

You can get your Private pilot's license at age 17. The FAA requires you to have 40 hours of flight time to get your Private Pilot's License to fly a helicopter but it takes most people about 60 flight hours to get their license. Truthfully, due to the vast volume of knowledge needed to pass the written exam, you need those extra hours. Spend time at home studying as well. And if you work at it full time with a serious attitude, you should be done in about 4-5 weeks. After training you must pass a Written Test, an Oral Test and a Practical Test (Check Ride). Training Costs: About $15,000+ depending on where you train

As a helicopter pilot, or any pilot really, the first couple of years are hard. You will want to get a job as an instructor pilot to get more flight hours and experience but you will only make about 25K which is pitiful in comparison with how much you will have just forked out for your pilot's training. But take heart, after a couple of years you should have at least 500-1000 flight hours and can move up to a better job making about 40K. From there you can move up to 50K.

On average most helicopter pilots with good experience can expect to make about 75K. If you are lucky, you could land a job earning up to 110K.

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