How do I start Learning to Fly Helicopters?
The How and How Much of Getting a Commercial Helicopter Pilot’s Licence in Australia
Thinking about launching yourself into an exciting career in aviation but not sure where to start? I’ll give you a basic break down of what the process of getting a commercial pilots licence looks like, where you should start and the big question - how much it will cost you.
What you need to pass a Commercial Pilots Licence (Helicopter)
CASA Class 1 Medical
Pass 7 commercial theory exams
Minimum of 105 hours flight time
Pass a flight exam
How long does it take to complete a CPLH?
Well, how long is a piece of string? Some people take years, while the quickest I know of is 4 months for a CPLH. A lot of this is decided by how you choose to finance the training and how well you can do in the books.
You might choose to pay as you can afford, working a normal job and booking in an hour to fly wherever possible. This is very much a do it at your own pace style and will take as long as you choose to let it take. The only time restriction is all 7 theory exams must be passed within a 2 year window. Once you’ve passed all exams, this theory credit does not expire.
If you choose to study full time, you should count on a minimum of 6 months to complete the licence. 6 months is achievable if you pass all 7 theory exams on the first try which will take approximately 12 weeks of full time study. You will then also need to be at a flight school which allows you to fly 2-3 hours per day thereafter. Many flight schools will allow you to begin flight training while you are studying but this is something I personally advise against.
The reality is, the 7 CASA theory exams you need to pass to gain a CPL are challenging, especially if you are someone who has been away from the classroom for years. Channeling all your brain power into theory will generally be your best chance of success rather than taking on the mental load of the practical aspect as well. It is not unheard of for people to ultimately not be able to pass their exams after sinking thousands and thousands of dollars into training. Or being locked out of exams, meaning a minimum 3 month sit out period - early on in your flying career, time away from the controls can mean a quick retreat in skills and feel for the helicopter.
If you’re serious about wanting to have a real go at making a career out of this and willing to make the sacrifices required, this is how I recommend getting started. I list this in a particular order and I do recommend completing in this order, as the steps get more expensive as you go and not succeeding in the earlier ones will hold you back.
Firstly, book a TIF (Trial Introductory Flight)
It can be hard to know if flying a helicopter is something you will genuinely enjoy as the sky is a very unnatural place for humans to be. Book yourself in for a TIF to get your first taste of flight, you will know pretty quickly if it is something that excites you or terrifies you.
A TIF is essentially your first flying lesson, you will learn the basics about how the controls work and how to start and operate a helicopter. You’ll have an opportunity to get a feel for the machine and even attempt to hover. TIFs range in price but generally begin at about $380 for a half hour flight, a quick google search will show you whats available in your local area. Now if you loved it, grab yourself a logbook and make sure to write that flight down, it will count toward your training later on!
Apply for an ARN
An aviation reference number can be obtained from the CASA website and will link your pilots licence, medical and ASIC.
Apply for a CASA Class 1 Medical
A medical is a legal requirement to operate aircraft in Australia, if you want to be paid to fly, you must have a current Class 1 medical, these need to be renewed every 12 months. While you don’t need a medical to begin training, they can bring up unexpected conditions. It is not uncommon for someone to be denied a Class 1 due to a medical reason they were not even aware of, again, this can be very costly if you have already paid for 20+ hours of flight training. Have it sorted before you even begin studying as to be sure you are not putting in hard work fruitlessly. An initial medical will generally cost you around $800+, you will need to pay for CASAs processing fees, an appointment with a DAME, an ECG and for an ophthalmology appointment.
Study the Theory
Now were getting into the serious stuff! As mentioned above, there are 7 theory exams you will need to pass to complete a CPL, these subjects are;
Meterology
Air Law
Navigation
Ops and Planning
Human Factors
Aerodynamics
Aircraft General Knowledge
You’ll need a 70% pass rate on each, except for Law which requires 80%.
You may choose to self study, distance study or study in class. Studying in class is probably the most popular option as it can be a lot to get your head around so a teacher and like minded pupils can help. Studying at AFT (Advanced Flight Theory) on the Sunshine Coast, is a very popular option and generally gets very good reviews. Full time ground school at AFT will cost you $7890 for all 7 subjects, this includes your textbooks and full teacher support. You will still need to buy a set of CASA documents and maps, I would budget on up to another $500 for these. They also offer various different practice exams, I found Pilot Practice Exams to be the most helpful and affordable myself at $197 for exams for all 7 subjects. If you fail an exam and need to resit it, it is approximately $180 per re-sit.
To study externally with AFT will cost $2850 for the textbooks and required documents. You will pay to sit the exams as you go. You can often also find these textbooks available second hand for $1000 or less. You do need to make sure they are up to date as the syllabus does change over time but this can be a really good option to make it more affordable. Try Facebook aviation pages or Bladeslapper for second hand books.
AFT is not the only option for theory courses, most flight schools will also offer their own theory classes, Bob Tait offers in person and distance study textbooks. Bob Tait’s full time course is priced at $4727 for all 7 subjects, completed across 8 weeks. I personally used Ron Newman’s Online Aviation Theory when I completed my theory in 2019. I found OAT to be more affordable but also quite wordy, it goes above and beyond, often providing more information than the minimum for exams - this can make it a bit more difficult to decipher than AFTs books.
At the end of the day, different study methods will work for different brains and budgets, its up to you to decide which will work for you.
Pick a Flight School
This one is interchangeable anywhere within the list and they will be able to help you out with other important points on the list as well.
Deciding on a flight school is a big decision. What machine do you want to train in? Where do you want to train? How are you going to fund flying? Where can you find the best instructors? Will your flight school help provide pathways to a job?
Where you decide to train is a very personal choice based on a variety of circumstances. If you are funding through savings or a personal loan, then the world is your oyster however you may also choose to finance through a HECS government loan. This can be done at a select list of flying schools around Australia, many use TAFE as a pathway and you can find these on their website. Others provide the same loan as their own Registered Training Organisation such as Aeropower. Some schools can also assist you with applying for non-government loans to finance your licence.
Which machine do you want to fly? The most popular and affordable choices for initial training are usually the Robinson R22, Cabri G2 or Schweizer 300. Prices vary slightly between schools but are generally in the ball park of $600-$700AUD per hour inc GST. You can complete your first 105 hours in up to two different types so many people will also opt to do part of their training in an R44 as well, which can be particularly helpful as many jobs for low hour pilots will be in a 44.
If you’re paying as you go, flying somewhere local will likely be the most accessible option but if you have the luxury of being able to relocate for your training, I would do your best to speak to anyone you can who is already within the industry. Its a very small industry and the best flight schools are often those who are recommended by other pilots. The reality is - not all instructors and schools are created equal and this can be the difference between you landing your first job or not. Don’t be afraid to walk into your local operator and ask them their opinion.
I’ll leave it up to you to spend some time doing your research. Get in touch with schools, they will be able to provide you with their training plans, prices, start dates and anything else you might need to know.
Start Flight Training
Now for the fun stuff! Start your flying journey, 105 hours of challenging and practical learning. Its a steep learning curve but incredibly rewarding. Take your time to understand your pre flight training briefs and study local maps before you take off as to not waste valuable time in the air. Never be afraid to ask questions. A couple of hours training although it may not sound like a lot can have a massive mental drain when you’re first starting so don’t rush it or push to do more hours in a day if you’re not able to come to each lesson at 100%. If the opportunity is there in your down time, talk to engineers and see if you can help them out, understanding the basics of how these machines run and common faults will go a long way in the real world. Knowing how to change your oil and spark plugs is a proactive piece of knowledge for your first gig too.
It’s worth noting to complete your CPLH in the reduced 105 hours, you need to complete the final 30 hours in a space of three months prior to sitting your flight examination, the first 15 hours must be in the same helicopter type, only 2 types can be trained in and they must be flown at least 20 hours each. If you do not meet these requirements, flight minimums increased to a total time of 150 hours, which can be split between planes and helicopters.
Find a Job
Think the hard part is out of the way now you’ve officially got a pilots licence? Wrong! Finding a job is often the hardest part of all but I think I’ll save this for another article…
Cost of a CPLH
All up a Commercial Helicopter Licence in Australia will cost you between $80,000 and $110,000.
But wait… what can I do if I have no money?
Got big dreams but not a big bank account? Not quite ready to take the plunge? Thats okay, start where you can! There’s countless free resources online that can help you gain an understanding of helicopters and the industry prior to jumping in. I started reading a document similar to this before I got my textbooks, it all seemed like gibberish when I first opened it but I did find down the track I had a bit of an idea of what a fully articulated rotor head was or how a cyclic worked when it came to full time study. YouTube can be your best friend if you’re more of a visual learner. If you’ve got an opportunity to sweep a hangar or act as ground crew for a helicopter operator, this is a great cost free introduction to the industry and a great way to network as well.