Helicopter Flight School - Photo Flights - Robinson Helicopter Dealer - Nashua, NH (2024)

FAQs

Is 50 too old to become a helicopter pilot? ›

I don't think you're ever too old to learn the aircraft. You can learn to fly the helicopter. You can learn the ground school. You can learn what you have to know to pass the test to become a helicopter pilot.

Learning to fly a helicopter is challenging. Not only will you be required to learn all of the theory behind rotary-winged aircraft, but you will also have to put that knowledge into practice with many hours of flight time.

The FAA requires a minimum of 35 hours of ground training and 35 hours of flight training for this certification. However, most people require more flight hours to become proficient enough to pass the exam, often averaging 50-60 hours.

The cost of obtaining a helicopter private pilot license involves additional expenses, such as exam and certification fees and specialized ratings. Several factors influence the cost of earning your license, such as the type of license or rating you aim to acquire.

These medical conditions include a personality disorder manifested by overt acts, a psychosis, alcoholism, drug dependence, epilepsy, an unexplained disturbance of consciousness, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and diabetes requiring medication for its control.

In the U.S., there are no FAA age limits for pilots except for commercial airline pilots employed by airlines certificated under 14 CFR Part 121. These airlines cannot employ pilots after they reach the age of 65. However, these pilots may stay on with a Part 121 carrier in some other role, such as flight engineer.

Since helicopter pilots are in such high demand, it gives many pilots a better chance at landing jobs, gaining valuable experience, and having a better chance of being well paid when they do. Helicopter pilots can also expect it to take fewer flight hours to reach higher-paying jobs than airplane pilots.

Training Requirements

Helicopter pilots typically undergo longer and more intensive training than fixed-wing pilots due to the complexities of helicopter flight.

Pilots use many math skills when operating rotorcraft. Typical subjects include skills in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus. Students can opt to take math classes at college or study independently with books or study guides written specifically for pilots.

On average, helicopter lessons cost more than aeroplane lessons. Helicopters are also more expensive to maintain, but don't let the price tag scare you off. If you have the time and money to invest in learning to fly a helicopter, chances are you will make the money back when you start your career as a pilot.

How expensive is helicopter fuel? ›

For instance, the Bell 206 JetRanger burns between 26 and 30 US gallons (98 to 114 liters) an hour depending on configuration. If the average JetA fuel price in your area is $6.97, then your fuel cost per hour is $181.22 to $209.10.

Generally speaking, it is understood that helicopters are harder to operate as compared to standard light aircraft. While a pilot may be able to undertake long flights in a standard aeroplane and not be all too tired at the end of it, just a few hours of flying a helicopter may be exhausting for some.

Whether you plan to use it as a hobby or pursue a career in flight, earning a helicopter pilot license involves certified training and assessments from the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) . There are multiple ways to study helicopter flight techniques through training programs taught by certified instructors.

The demanding nature of the job mandates pilots to be in good physical health to handle the long hours of flying and the sometimes stressful situations that may arise during flights. In addition to physical demands, helicopter pilots also face significant mental challenges.

You can begin at any age when you can reach the flight controls. There is no upper age limit.

While this question is asked fairly often and there is an FAQ on age and starting “Am I too old to be an Airline pilot?,” the short, sweet answer is YES. However, you're limited in your career as to how much seniority you will be able to gain.

You must be at least 16 years of age before completing your first solo flight and at least 17 years of age by the time you apply for your licence.

Background to Age vs Flight Training

The reality is that you only become too old to start flight training when you can no longer hold a class one medical. However, if you are starting your training over the age of around forty, what you are looking to achieve takes some serious consideration.