Helicopter Pilot Training FAQ's

How difficult is Helicopter Pilot Training?

If you can ride a bike you can fly a helicopter. Its not a difficult skill to learn, it just takes patience, and practice. Anyone can learn to fly a helicopter the mechanical skills of handling the aircraft are the easy part. The more complex component of flying is the decision making recognising when things are moving outside your comfort zone. Here's where the value of our experienced instructors lies, as they are able to pass the wisdom they have gained from years of commercial flying.

Along with the flying helicopter pilot training involves exams covering Meteorology, Radio Procedures, Navigation, Technical Knowledge, Air Law and Human Factors. We provide all the reference material you will need to pass the exams and our instructors are always available for guidance. You just need to put in the time and to save the fishing for the weekends!

How about getting a job as the Vietnam-era pilots retire?

Like any profession getting the best flying jobs takes perseverance, commitment and hard work. Right now the Helicopter industry is experiencing a world wide shortage of skilled pilots. As the Vietnam - era helicopter pilots retire, there has never been a better time to learn to fly than right now. At Astral Helicopters our senior instructors are employed in the international market and our contact base is extensive. Most employers will require some flight time and there are different ways to increase your experience such as through additional ratings, ferry flights, maintenance flights and instructing. Astral Helicopters occasionally hire students who train with us right through to an instructors rating. More than likely a students first break will come from a ground based job where the employer can get to know them. It takes dedication but you've come this far already follow the dream!

What's involved with the medical?

You can begin helicopter pilot training at any time, however in order to fly solo you must hold a student medical. This is fairly straightforward and must be done with a Designated Medical Examiner.

Astral Helicopters use a very good local doctor here in Rotorua and we can arrange an appointment for you. Pilots may fly with glasses but must meet basic eyesight standards; the doctor can provide more information here.

To hold a Commercial Licence requires a Class 1 aviation medical. This is more thorough and includes an Audiogram, ECG, Chest X-ray and a full medical examination. Most people are able to pass a Class 1 medical, however we advise that Commercial students take this test early in their training.

How long does helicopter pilot training take?

Helicopter pilot training is a mechanical skill, like learning to drive a car. It requires consistency and continuity. We have both full time students and those who continue to work and train in their time off. Either option works, although the full time students tend to progress faster due to their consistency of lessons. The time taken depends largely on the devotion of the student. A Private licence can take around three months, while a Commercial Licence can take from eight months to a year.

How much does helicopter pilot training cost?

The Commercial Pilots Licence is a professional qualification and will cost about the same as an equivalent university degree. You just need to decide whether you want an office in a concrete building, or to be soaring above mountains, forests and glaciers all around the world.

Most students will spend just over $80, 000 New Zealand Dollars for a CPL. Astral Helicopters rates are extremely competitive, and remember you will be trained by experienced professionals from within the world wide Helicopter industry. Our flying rates are for actual flight time only, and all briefings and study assistance are free. Pilot training course fees.

What about accommodation?

Astral Helicopters students arrange their own accommodation, and so you are free to choose a place that fits your style and your budget.
Prices start from around $120 NZD per week for a room in Rotorua - here's a few website's to get you started:

www.trademe.co.nz, www.astray.co.nz or www.studentaccom.co.nz

How safe is it?

Here at Astral Helicopters we operate late model Robinson R22B training aircraft - the most reliable helicopter ever built.
Because of their unique hover and low speed abilities the helicopter has many advantages over fixed wing aircraft. In deteriorating weather conditions the helicopter has the ability to slow down and turn back, or to simply land in a paddock or on a beach.
A common question we are asked is what happens if the engine stops?
Well the aircraft starts to descend and the blades continue to rotate due to the air passing through them from below. The machine flies exactly the same and the pilot simply picks a smooth spot to touch down and wait for tea and biscuits.

The technique, or autorotation, is simple and the student will very quickly learn to place the helicopter confidently and precisely on a chosen spot.
This author has personally made four real life autorotations without incident. Notably these were all in various non-Robinson aircraft!

Where do you train?

Astral Helicopters have landing rights for hundreds of square miles of pine forests, native bush, mountains and farmland. Our bush areas begin just 2 minutes flight time away, so you will enjoy maximum learning time and minimum transit time. We will probably stop for a fish or lunch along the way, so don't forget the camera!

Who are the Staff?

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