Helicopter Flight Training Programs         Current Rate Sheet
Whether you want to fly for recreation, business or make it your profession, ROTOR F/X has a flight training program designed just for you. Our expert and highly experienced  instructors will guide you through your training from complete beginner to professional career pilot with a focus on quality or training and safety of operations. Our range of programs and classes allow for training on your time and schedule with one on one attention all the way.

The industry is currently experiencing and ever growing shortage of professional pilots and this is an excellent time to consider this prestigious career. The "helicopter pilot boom" created in the late '60s and 70's is now subsiding at a drastic pace leaving an enormous vacancy for qualified helicopter pilots worldwide. The trend is only widening as the surplus of pilots from this previous era are retiring in great numbers.

Flight Safety and Professional Career Instructors
Our high time CFII instructors have thousands of hours flight time with a 100% safety record and a 100% pass rate over the last 20 years. These are career instructors and not fresh new CFI students just building their own hours. Our training is highly personalized one on one instruction (no group classrooms) and is individually structured around your needs and schedule. Although most flight training is done from Van Nuys, our instructors can come to you whether you are out of state or even overseas (TSA approval required for foreign students). You will not find a better training experience anywhere.

Training Offered (TSA Approved for foreign students)

• Recreational Pilot - Helicopter
• Private Pilot - Helicopter
• Helicopter Add-On to Fixed Wing
• Commercial Pilot - Helicopter
• Instrument Rating - Helicopter
• Instrument Rotorcraft Add-on
• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) - Helicopter
• Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII) - Helicopter
• External Load Training
• Mountain Flying
• Turbine Transition
• FAA Foreign License Conversion

Click and Download FREE 207 Page
 Rotorcraft Flying Handbook Above

Specialty Helicopter Flight Training Programs

In addition standard training classes we offer one of a kind specialty  programs for ultralight and experimental helicopter pilots not found anywhere else.   If you are the "drop everything else and get it done" type then see our unique Flight Speed™ immersion package. For the junior set from 13-19 years old sign up for one of our frequent three day camps and log the first hours towards your dream of a pilots license. See further information below for each of these.

• Ultralight and Experimental Helicopter courses
• Flight Speed™ Immersion courses
• Junior Aviation Camp
• Actors Workshop

Ultralight and Experimental Helicopter Flight Training Programs
In addition to the helicopter training programs above ROTOR F/X has some unique offerings you will not find at any other helicopter flight school anywhere.  

• Ultra-Light Helicopter Pilot - a unique program only at ROTOR F/X for ultralight builders and owners such as the Mosquito Air or XEL, 10 hours of concentrated dual "flight only" time. Although no pilot license is required for this category, professional flight training is dictated by necessity and common sense. Hours can count towards future ratings and is a minimum requirement from several manufacturers. International students very welcome!    FAA Part 103 Ultralight Regulations
• Experimental Helicopter Pilot - an expanded Private Pilot course for experimental helicopter builders and owners including construction, setup, rigging, tracking, balancing and operator maintenance (dual and solo time may be performed in your own helicopter subject to our inspection and approval). Course is specific to your aircraft.

Helicopter Flight Simulator/Hover Trainer - a ROTOR F/X Exclusive 
Conquer hovering and ground maneuvering skills before investing in valuable dual time and then continue to enhance your technique as you progress through your training. The experience gained here could save you several thousand dollars off your total training cost and make you a much better pilot, all from the comfort of our hangar.

• Helicopter Hover Trainer/Simulator - learn how to hover before taking your dual training - save valuable hours and substantial costs
• Indoor training not susceptible to weather minimums or day/night restrictions
• Excellent trainer for transitioning to single seat ultralight or experimental helicopters
• a ROTOR F/X Exclusive - we have the only one in the world

---

Payment Console                    

Helicopter Flight Training - Dual

Helicopter Flight Training - Dual Block

Helicopter Flight Training - Solo

Helicopter Flight Training - Solo Block

Private Pilot - Helicopter

The Private Pilot License is for individuals who plan to fly for personal business and/or pleasure and not engage in work for compensation or hire.

Eligibility requirements:

To be eligible for a Private Pilot Certificate, a person must:

• Be at least 17 years of age

• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language, or have such operating limitations placed on his/her pilot certificate as are necessary for safety.

• Hold at least a valid third-class medical certificate

• Pass a FAA written, oral, and flight examination

• Obtain a minimum of 40 flight hours

FAA Minimum--- 40 hours

Dual---20 hours

Solo---10 hours

Solo or dual---10 hours

Ground School (Approx. 10 hours)

FAA written exam

Books & supplies

FAA Examiner fee

3^rd class medical

FAA flight test

Average course completion time: 4 to 6 weeks

Immersion training completion time: 10 to 20 days

Private Pilot Add-On-Helicopter

If a pilot already holds a private fixed-wing license, and would like a private helicopter license, this is considered an additional aircraft rating, rotorcraft/helicopter. You are adding on to your existing pilot license. Pilots will not be required to take an additional written exam. International pilots who have never taken a FAA written exam, will be required to do so, or a restriction will be placed on their FAA license.

FAA Minimum--- 30 hours

Dual---20 hours

Solo---10 hours

Ground School (Approx. 10 hours)

Books & supplies

FAA Examiner fee

FAA flight test

Average course completion time: 3 to 6 weeks

Commercial Pilot- Helicopter

The Commercial License is for students planning to engage in pilot task for compensation or hire. The commercial training includes requirements in addition to the requirements for private pilot.

Eligibility requirements:

To be eligible for a Commercial Pilot Certificate, a person must:

• Be at least 18 years of age

• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language, or have such operating limitations placed on his/her pilot certificate as are necessary for safety.

• Hold at least a valid second-class medical certificate

• Pass a FAA written, oral, and flight examination

• Obtain a minimum of 150 flight hours

FAA Minimum---150 hours (private through commercial)

Dual---40 hours

Solo/PIC---110 hours

Ground School (Approx. 10 hours)

FAA written exam

Books & supplies

FAA Examiner fee

2^nd class medical

FAA flight test

Average course completion time: 3 to 6 months

Commercial Add-On- Helicopter

If a pilot holds Private Fixed-Wing License, and wants a Commercial Helicopter License, this is considered an additional aircraft rating, rotorcraft/helicopter. You are adding to you Commercial Fixed-Wing Rating, pilots will not be required to take an additional written exam. International pilots who have never taken and FAA written exam, will be required to do so, or a restriction will be placed on their FAA license.

FAA Minimum---55 hours

Dual---20 hours

Solo---35 hours

Ground School (Approx. 10 hours)

Books & supplies

FAA Examiner fee

FAA flight test

Average course completion time: 4 to 6 weeks

Instrument Pilot- Helicopter

Many employees, such as EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and Offshore oil Transport Operators require an Instrument Rating.

FAA Requirements:

To be eligible for an Instrument Rating (helicopter) a person must:

• Hold  a Private Helicopter Certificate

• Have at least 50 hours of powered aircraft with other than a student pilot certificate. Each cross-country flight must have a landing point more than 50 nautical miles from the original departure point, and have at least 40 hours of instrument training.

• Pass a FAA written, oral, and flight examination.

FAA Minimum---40 hours

Dual--- 40 hours

Ground School ( Approx. 20 hours)

FAA written exam

Books & supplies

FAA Examiner fee

FAA flight test

Average course completion time: 4 to 6 weeks

Instrument Add-On- Helicopter

FAA Requirements:

To be eligible for an Instrument Add-On (helicopter) a person must:

• Hold  a Private Helicopter Certificate

• Hold an Airplane Instrument Rating

• Pass FAA oral and flight examination

• Obtain 15 hours of instrument helicopter instruction

FAA Minimum---15 hours

Dual--- 15 hours

Ground School ( Approx. 10 hours)

Books & supplies

FAA Examiner fee

FAA flight test

Average course completion time: 1 to 3 weeks

Certified Flight Instructor- Helicopter

As a low time pilot, the best way to continue your education and burld flight time is to become a Certified Flight Instructor.

FAA Requirements:

To be eligible for a Certified Flight Instructor Rating a person must:

• Hold either a Commercial Helicopter Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate

• Pass A FAA written, oral, and flight examination

• Obtain at least 3 hours of helicopter instruction and any necessary as to be proficient to pass the FAA flight examination.

FAA Minimum---3 hours

Dual--- Approx 10 hours

Ground School ( Approx. 15 hours)

Two part FAA written exam

Books & supplies

FAA Examiner fee

FAA flight test

Average course completion time: 3 to 5 weeks

Certified Flight Instructor Add-on- Helicopter

FAA Requirements

To be eligible for a CFI Add-on (Helicopter) a person must:

• Hold either a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate for Helicopter

• Hold any other Category and class CFI rating

• Pass FAA written, oral and flight examination

• Obtain 15 hours of helicopter instruction.

FAA Minimum---15 hours

Dual--- 15 hours

Ground School (Approx 10 hours)

FAA written exam

Books & supplies

FAA Examiner fee

FAA flight test

Average course completion time: 3 to 5 weeks

Professional Pilot- Helicopter

The Professional Pilot Course is an intensive training course for people who want to become a professional helicopter pilot. This course is highly recommended to get the most for your training dollars.  It allows an individual to meet the qualifications for an Instrument Rating, Flight Instructor Rating. For little additional cost and External Load Rating can be added.

Course includes:

• 200 hours flight time -110 Dual, 90 Hours Solo

• 70 hours ground school

• Private Helicopter

• Commercial Helicopter

• Instrument Helicopter

• Certified Flight Instructor

• Certified Instrument Flight Instructor

• Books & supplies

• FAA Written Exams

• FAA Examiner fees

• FAA Flight test

Average course completion time: 8-12 months

CFI-Instrument- Helicopter

A Certified Flight Instructor for Instrument allows you to teach Instruments to students and better further your career, in addition to staying current on Instrument flying. Being a CFII also makes you more versatile and valuable to any perspective employer.

FAA Requirements:

To be eligible for a CFI-Instrument (helicopter) a person must:

• Hold a Commercial/Instrument Helicopter Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate

• Pass a FAA written, oral, and flight examination

• Hold a CFI Helicopter Rating

• Obtain at least 3 hours of helicopter instruction and any necessary as to be profiecient to pass the FAA flight examination

FAA Minimum---3 hours

Dual---Approx 10 hours

Ground School (Approx 6 hours)

FAA written exam

Books & supplies

FAA Examiner Fee

FAA flight test

Average course completion time: 1 to 3 weeks

CFI-Instrument Add-on- Helicopter

FAA Requirements:

To be eligible for a CFI-Instrument Add-on (helicopter) a person must:

• Hold a Commercial/Instrument Helicopter Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate

• Hold a CFI Helicopter Rating

• Pass a FAA written, oral, and flight examination

• Obtain 15 hours of helicopter instruction

FAA Minimum---15 hours

Dual---15 hours

Ground School (Approx 10 hours)

FAA written exam

Books & supplies

FAA Examiner Fee

FAA flight test

Average course completion time: 1 to 3 weeks

External Load- Helicopter

To be eligible for External Load training a person must:

• Hold at least a Private Helicopter Certificate

• Logged at least 90 hours Rotorcraft Helicopter Flight time

• Obtain 15 hours of helicopter external load instruction

FAA Minimum--- None

Dual---Approx 15 hours

Ground School (Approx 10 hours)

Books & Supplies

Ground Handling Crew

Average course completion time: 2 to 3 weeks