Cardinal Helicopter Training, Inc.

Helicopter Flight Instruction

Cardinal Helicopter Training, a flight school specializing in helicopter flight instruction, is based at the Clermont County Airport. Cardinal President Don Fairbanks is a Designated Helicopter Pilot Examiner and has been a helicopter instructor for over 20 years. Flight instruction is given in Robinson R22 helicopters.

Minimum Hours Required

Under FAR Part 61, the minimum flight time for a Private Helicopter Pilot Certificate is 40 hours, 20 hours dual instruction and 20 hours solo instruction. The Commercial Helicopter Pilot Certificate requires an additional 110 flight hours for a total of 40 hours dual instruction and 110 hours solo instruction and pilot-in-command flight time.

Adding a Helicopter Rating

Many helicopter trainees obtain their Private or Commercial Pilot Certificates in an airplane and then add the helicopter rating. Because of the fewer hours required in the helicopter there is a considerable reduction in cost. If a pilot has a Private Airplane Pilot Certificate, a helicopter rating may be earned with a minimum of 20 hours dual instruction and 10 hours solo instruction in a helicopter. For a pilot who holds a Commercial Airplane Pilot Certificate the minimum time required for the helicopter rating is 20 hours of dual instruction and 35 hours of solo instruction.

Knowledge Test Requirement

A student who does not hold an Airplane Pilot certificate must pass a knowledge test for the Private or Commercial Helicopter Pilot Certificate. Holding an Airplane Pilot Certificate allows a pilot to add a helicopter rating to the pilot certificate without completing another knowledge test.

In Closing

The minimum flight times in FAR 61 are somewhat low for the average student. Unless a student maintains above average effort and progress additional dual flight instruction is needed to reach the skill level required by the practical test standards. Flying a helicopter safely and being comfortable while doing so is an exacting task.

RECREATIONAL PILOT | PRIVATE PILOT | INSTRUMENT RATING | COMMERCIAL PILOT

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