How to Become a Helicopter Pilot
To become a helicopter pilot, you need a clear plan: confirm eligibility, complete ground school early, train consistently, and follow the right certificate sequence. Helicopter Academy provides structured helicopter pilot training from your first lesson through PPL-H, CPL-H, and instructor pathways.
Quick Answer: The Helicopter Pilot Path
Most students follow this sequence to become a helicopter pilot in the United States:
How-To: Step-by-Step Helicopter Pilot Training
The steps below are designed to improve outcomes and reduce wasted hours. The most common cost driver is training gaps—consistency matters.
- Age: 17+ for the private checkride (typical).
- English proficiency requirements.
- Medical: commonly a Third Class FAA medical (or applicable alternative).
- Non-U.S. citizens may require TSA approval prior to training.
- Regulations, airspace, weather, and decision-making.
- Written test prep and oral prep foundations.
- Study plan aligned to your flight lesson cadence.
- Meet instructors and understand the training environment.
- Review milestones, scheduling, and training frequency.
- Build a cost-aware plan that avoids training gaps.
- Hover control, takeoffs/landings, and precision handling.
- Emergency procedures and risk-management habits.
- Navigation basics and communications.
- FAA knowledge test + practical test (checkride) readiness.
- Advanced maneuvers and standards-based proficiency.
- Flight time and training aligned to commercial privileges.
- Plan the next ratings based on your job path.
- CFI: teach primary helicopter training.
- CFII: expand to instrument instruction (where applicable).
- Strengthen decision-making through standardization and teaching.
Helicopter Pilot Career Pathways
If your goal is a professional helicopter pilot career, your plan should include commercial training and a time-building strategy. Many pilots build hours through instruction, then move into specialized roles as experience grows.