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Flight Training
Commercial Pilot Add-On
If you already hold a Commercial fixed wing license, the cheapest option to learn to fly helicopters is to "add on" a Commercial Pilot Helicopter license. Doing your training this way, you only have to fly 55 hours (20 dual, 35 solo) instead of 150 hours minimum and do not have to take a written exam.
FAA Rating Requirements
General Requirements:
Already hold a Helicopter Private (or higher) Pilot Certificate
Current FAA Medical Certificate
Helicopter Instrument Rating not required
No FAA Written Exam
Pass an FAA Oral and Practical Flight Test
Flight Requirements:
Minimum of 150 hrs of Flight Time, 100 hours of which must be in Powered Aircraft
Minimum of 100 hrs of Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Time, minimum of 35 hours PIC in a Helicopter
20 hours in a R-22 as per S-FAR73 to solo
10 Hours of Instrument Training in an Aircraft is Required
Estimated Minimum Cost:
| Item | Hours | Rate | Total |
| R22 Rental | 55 | $275/hr | $15,125 |
| Flight Instruction | 20 | $50/hr | $1,000 |
| Ground Instruction | 20 | $35/hr | $700 |
| Total | | | $16,825 |
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