Can anybody become a helicopter pilot?

Almost everybody. You must be 17 years old and be able to read, speak and understand English to obtain a private pilot certificate. In addition, learning to fly a helicopter requires exceptional hand/eye coordination, good study habits, situational awareness and discipline.

Why should I train at AHC?

Advanced Helicopter Concepts has been teaching people how to fly helicopters since 1987. We are respected throughout the industry. Some of our former students now pilot helicopters in corporate, oil and gas exploration, EMS, aerial application and law enforcement positions. Other students buy their own helicopters, or rent from us, and fly just for pleasure.

How much will it cost?

The cost varies from person to person. It depends on how frequently you fly and how much you are willing to study. We are open seven days a week, and you can schedule flight or ground lessons to suit your needs. Generally we recommend that you fly at least 2-3 times a week if possible for maximum efficiency. Helicopter flying is not inexpensive and getting a helicopter license is a big investment, in both money and time. But that investment lasts a lifetime and the personal rewards are great. There are very few things in life that compare to the thrill and satisfaction of flying a helicopter.

When can I start?

Since all our training is individualized, you can schedule both ground and flight time based upon availability of instructor and helicopter. Usually if you schedule a day or two in advance, there are no problems getting a time slot. We are open seven days a week to accomodate your training schedule.

What if I want to become a professional helicopter pilot?

In order to fly for hire, you need a commercial license requiring at least 150 hours of aviation experience. Then you should obtain your flight instructor certificate because it is really the only practical way to build the 1,000-2,000 hours of flight time that future employers require. As a flight instructor you can log hours while teaching others how to fly. Your days as an instructor will be long and you won’t get rich doing it, but you will gain valuable experience that will serve you well in your flying career. Many helicopter training schools are now looking for qualified flight instructors.