Helicopter Lessons and Courses

Private Pilots Licence

The PPL is a recreational licence allowing you to fly helicopters for non-paying passengers.

It's perfect for those wanting the freedom to escape for the weekend, or to explore the countryside with friends on a day off.

A PPL licence requires a minimum of 50 hours helicopter flight time, during which you will learn navigation, mountain flying, confined area operations and all emergency procedures - no prior aviation experience is necessary. You'll also study exams for Navigation, Radio Procedures, Meteorology, Air Law, Technical Knowledge, and Human Factors.

All of our helicopter lessons and training is in accordance with NZ CAA regulations under Part 61, and applicants must be at least 17 years old to hold a PPL, however there is no maximum age limit.

Aircraft your instructors fly

Commercial Pilots Licence

The CPL helicopter licence allows the holder to fly for hire or reward. Its what you will need if you want to continue flying as a career.

A helicopter CPL requires a minimum of 150 hours flight time all your time so far counts toward this and a further six exams. The helicopter lessons and flight training expands upon what you've learned in the PPL syllabus, as well as covering advanced mountain flying, further cross country flight, and under slung load training.

As a New Zealand first, Astral Helicopters proudly offers the CPL students an overnight bush survival skills course. The course is optional and free, and covers essential skills for surviving unprepared in the New Zealand bush. We can also incorporate a night rating during the CPL training, and if desired an introduction to the offshore support Category A style of flying.

The CPL helicopter training syllabus is taught in accordance with the NZ CAA regulations, and is concluded with a flight test by an independent CAA examiner. Upon completion of the CPL course the student will be issued with an ICAO Commercial Licence - Internationally recognised in 189 contracting states.

The flight training includes the following minimum hours and exams:

35 hours advanced dual instruction	Navigation & Flight Planning
35 hours solo flight time	Aircraft Technical Knowledge
20 hours cross-country navigation	Principles of Flight
10 hours sling load	Meteorology
10 hours mountainous terrain	Human Factors
10 hours night	Air Law

Instructors Rating

After completing the CPL syllabus a student may continue on to their instructors rating. The basic C Category Instructors Rating, or C Cat, allows the holder to give limited flight instruction and helicopter lessons under the direct supervision of a senior instructor.

To qualify for the C Cat a candidate must hold a CPL and: have flown 200 hours flight experience as a pilot, have flown 25 hours of advanced dual instruction, completed an Instructional Techniques course and the required classroom briefing syllabus.

Type Ratings

Some students want to further their experience on different types of helicopters. If desired we can provide turbine transitions and type ratings on the Hughes 500, Aerospatiale 350 Squirrel and 355 Twin Squirrel, Bell 206 Jet Ranger and Bolkow BK117.

Training for these type ratings depends on several factors, most importantly the students experience level and so each course and our helicopter lessons are tailored specifically to the students needs - for further details contact us.

We can teach you in our aircraft or yours! Astral Helicopters work with private aircraft owners who may wish to train in their own machine. We can work to your schedule, and possibly even at your place!

For initial training and licences through to advanced and refresher training - contact us.

Astral Helicopters are working to implement the Helicopter Instrument Rating course the first time such a course has been available in New Zealand.

The Helicopter Instrument Rating is essential for jobs like offshore oil support and some emergency rescue work.

The Instrument Rating is an advanced course and allows the pilot to fly an appropriately equipped aircraft in Instrument Meteorology Conditions, such as in low visibility or through cloud.

The course will be conducted in accordance with NZ CAA regulations and will meet the ICAO international standards for instrument flight.

To register your interest in this future course feel free to contact us.