Becoming a Professional Pilot Begins Here After obtaining your Private Certificate, The Commercial Pilot certificate is the next step to becoming a professional helicopter pilot. It is required to fly for hire. Your flying skills and aviation knowledge will continue to improve as you build hours towards your commercial certificate. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires a minimum of 150 hours of aviation experience for the Commercial Pilot Helicopter Certificate. This total flight time consists of both dual instruction and solo flight. Dual Instruction $245 per hour Solo Rate $205 per hour Ground Instruction $40 per hour