Thread: Helicopter Lessons

ive had some helo lessons but too expensive for my blood.

$800 per hour.


learning to fly fixed wing is a lot cheaper

Originally Posted by Eevo

ive had some helo lessons but too expensive for my blood.

$800 per hour.

Even in a Robinson?

I had only one (trial) lesson (in a Robinson) and it wasn't anywhere near that exxy. The flight school quoted $27K for PPL or $54K for commercial.

I wonder if one could learn in the USA for less - including accommodation. See, for example, http://www.usaviationacademy.com/int...pilot-training

Some prices here: http://www.palmbeachhelicopters.com/private.html

Originally Posted by p38arover

Even in a Robinson?

pretty sure i was in a Robinson but i can't remember.
something like $800 of fuel per hour

edit Robinson R44
and 800$ per hour cant be right given that it burns 60l per hour

I'd expect $800 in a Jet Ranger.

Cheapest way is to start off with Light Sports Aircraft, get the Pilot Certificate, do your cross-country and PAX endorsements and anything else on offer... eventually transfer across to General Aviation, which will recognize your hours etc.
Then you can concentrate on learning to fly a group of nuts and bolts and other bits that don't want to fly in harmony..

Fastest way, AFAIK, is to find a suitable school in the US

Thanks for all the info guys. It certainly looks like overseas or going via a fixed wing licence are the cheapest options!

fixed wing is definitely cheaper.

if you go down the RA-AUS route, its even cheaper.
got my licence for about $3k

Be careful when people say cheaper. If it's helicopters you want to fly it will cost you more overall to get an aeroplane licence and convert it to helicoter, even though there is some hours credits.
Jetranger would be around $800 an hour or a bit more, plus instructor to that figure.
Having taught many people to fly aeroplanes, and recently doing helicopter conversion I would say this - it will make you reassess how you do everything, question your abilities on occasions and frustrate the ... Out of you. That being said, the sense of achievement when you do get it, first time you hover without the other guy holding the stick, first solo etc etc is unbeatable.
If I remember I will ask at work about Kestral if you're interested and PM you back.