Helicopter Commercial Pilot Licence

Thought about starting a Helicopter CPL course?

Did you know that the cheapest way to obtain a Helicopter CPL is to start your training in an aeroplane to PPL level?



Airborne Aviation can help you obtain your PPL (aeroplane) licence, reducing the overall cost of your training and experience flight in both kinds of flying machines!

Please note that we do not conduct helicopter training.


Helicopter CPL Only

- A minimum of 105*/125 hours flying time is required.
- 105 hour course requires you to fly the final 30 hours in 3 calendar months.


Aeroplane PPL + Helicopter CPL

- A minimum of 40 hours aeroplane flying time is required for a PPL(A).
- An additional 70 hours helicopter flying time is required for a CPL(H).
- Total minimum flying time of 110 hours.


Training Costs

While the hour requirements are similar regardless of the path you take, bear in mind that helicopter training costs are typically twice the price.

2 seat Helicopter ~$450/hr   vs   2 seat Aeroplane ~$235/hr (GST inc)
4 seat Helicopter ~$700/hr   vs   4 seat Aeroplane ~$255/hr (GST inc)

35 hours in a helicopter at ~$450/hr, or 40 hours in an aeroplane at ~ $235/hr, the decision should be easy.

Further to these savings, if you were not in a position to complete the final 30 hours of a CPL(H) only course within 3 months you are effectively saving an additional 20 hours, or over $8000, by holding a PPL(A).



What about a Helicopter Private Pilot Licence?

The minimum hours to obtain a PPL(H) are 12 hours less when you hold a PPL(A), an approximate saving on helicopter training costs of around $5000.

It will cost you a bit more to obtain both a PPL(A) and PPL(H) but you have the added flexibility of being able to fly both.

With a private licence flying helicopters cross country can be extremely expensive. For the hourly rate of a 2 seat helicopter you can hire a 6 seat aeroplane that goes nearly twice as fast, carries three times the people, and making that trip much more affordable.

Being able to fly both aeroplanes and helicopters provides you with added flexibility.


Questions?

Have a look around our site, if you have any unanswered questions do not hesitate to contact our office.