Private Pilot requirements:

Be at least 17 years of age;
Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
Pass the required written knowledge test.
Pass the required practical test.

Aeronautical Experience:

40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training.
the training must include at least--
3 hours of cross-country flight training in a helicopter;
3 hours of night flight training in a helicopter that includes--
(i) One cross-country flight of over 50 nautical miles total distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test in a helicopter, which must have been performed within 60 days preceding the date of the test; and
10 hours of solo flight time in a helicopter, consisting of at least--
(i) 3 hours cross-country time;
(ii) One solo cross-country flight of at least 75 nautical miles total distance, with landings at a minimum of three points, and one segment of the flight being a straight-line distance of at least 25 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.

Commercial Pilot requirements:

Be at least 18 years of age;
Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
Pass the required written knowledge test.
Pass the required practical test.

Aeronautical experience:

150 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in helicopters.
100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least--
(i) 35 hours in helicopters; and
(ii) 10 hours in cross-country flight in helicopters.
20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.127(b)(3) of this part that includes at least--
(i) 10 hours of instrument training in an aircraft;
(ii) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a helicopter in day VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure;
(iii) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a helicopter in night VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and
(iv) 3 hours in a helicopter in preparation for the practical test within the 60-day period preceding the date of the test.
10 hours of solo flight in a helicopter on the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.127(b)(3) of this part, which includes at least--
(i) One cross-country flight with landings at a minimum of three points, with one segment consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and
(ii) 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern).

Instrument rating requirements:

Hold at least a current private pilot certificate with a helicopter rating.
Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
Pass the required knowledge test. This is not required when that person already holds an instrument rating.
Pass the required practical test.

Aeronautical experience:

(1) At least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, of which at least 10 hours must be in helicopters.
(2) A total of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time in aircraft on the areas of operation of this section, to include--
(i) At least 15 hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in a helicopter.
(ii) At least 3 hours of instrument training in preparation for the practical test within the 60 days preceding the date of the test;
One cross-country flight in a helicopter that is performed under IFR, and consists of--
(A) A distance of at least 100 nautical miles along airways or ATC-directed routing;
(B) An instrument approach at each airport; and
(C) Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems; and

Airline Transport Pilot requirements:

Be at least 23 years of age;
Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
Be of good moral character.
Meet at least one of the following requirements:
(1) Hold at least a commercial pilot certificate and an instrument rating;
(2) Meet the military experience requirements under Sec. 61.73 of this part to qualify for a commercial pilot certificate, and an instrument rating if the person is a rated military pilot or former rated military pilot of an Armed Force of the United States; or
(3) Hold either a foreign airline transport pilot or foreign commercial pilot license and an instrument rating, without limitations issued by a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
(f) Pass a knowledge test.
(g) Pass the practical test.

Aeronautical Experience:

1,200 hours of total time as a pilot that includes at least:
(1) 500 hours of cross-country flight time;
(2) 100 hours of night flight time, of which 15 hours are in helicopters;
(3) 200 hours of flight time in helicopters, which includes at least 75 hours as a pilot in command.
(4) 75 hours of instrument flight time in actual or simulated instrument meteorological conditions, of which at least 50 hours are obtained in flight with at least 25 hours in helicopters as a pilot in command.

Certified Flight Instructor requirements:

Be at least 18 years of age.
Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
Hold either a commercial pilot certificate or airline transport pilot certificate with a helicopter rating and an instrument rating if applying for a flight instructor certificate with an instrument rating.
Pass a knowledge test on Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI).
Pass a knowledge test on the CFI aeronautical knowledge.
Pass the required practical test.

Already a fixed wing pilot? Add-ons are easy:

A lot of your fixed wing experience applies towards a Rotary wing Helicopter rating. At first, it may seem difficult, but you'll realize very quickly that all your experience applies and having the fixed wing rating will make the entire experience quicker and less costly. The FAR's require 20 hours of dual and 10 hours of solo plus the check-ride. You do not need to take the private or commercial written again, the fixed wing written test you already have fulfills this requirement.

R-44 check-outs:

Our Aircraft can be rented solo by any qualified pilot. You will need a check-out from one of our instructors in our aircraft and certain rules and restrictions apply. To qualify, if you have less than 200 hours helicopter, you will need a minimum of 20 hours dual from us to act as PIC and 10 hours from us if you have more than 200 hours helicopter. If you are already an experienced R-44 driver, our instructors will put you through a comprehensive flight review. Any pilot that wishes to rent our aircraft solo will be required to take out renter's insurance.

TSA rules:

If you are not a US Citizen or have permanent US residency, you will be required to go through a TSA (Transport Security Administration) background check ($130) if you are getting you initial private or instrument rating with us. Other ratings and add-ons do not require this paperwork.