January 21, 2025

How to Become a Helicopter Pilot (Ep. 001) | Helicopter Training Podcast

1 hour 25 minutes

Dreaming of flying helicopters? This episode is your guide to starting your journey as a helicopter pilot. Whether you're curious or ready to begin, we’ll cover everything from earning your pilot certificates to choosing a flight school and the right helicopter airframe. We’ll also explain how VA funding, scholarships, and loans can help cover costs, share free ways to get started, and recommend essential supplies and books to set you up for success.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Start

00:33 Outline

01:16 How hard is it to become a helicopter pilot?

05:28 Age requirements

06:52 Education requirements

10:21 Medical requirements

17:15 Do I need to be a U.S. citizen?

18:50 Helicopter pilot path

21:53 Private Pilot

26:37 Instrument

32:28 Commercial

36:46 CFI

44:05 CFII

47:03 ATP

49:23 Airplane before Helicopter?

52:15 Part 61 or 141

57:41 Which helicopter?

1:04:33 Cost

1:09:18 Funding

1:12:09 Choosing a flight school

1:17:29 The next steps

1:19:02 Study on your own

1:23:10 Pilot supplies

1:23:51 Your questions

1:24:11 Links

1:24:20 Next episode

1:24:38 Outro

Show Links:

FAA English Language Standards - tinyurl.com/FAA-ENG-Standards

AOPA BasicMed - tinyurl.com/AOPA-Basic-Med

FAA Medical Classes - tinyurl.com/FAA-Medicals

Find an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) - faa.gov/pilots/amelocator

Part 67 Medical Standards - tinyurl.com/FAA-AME-Finder

FAA Pilot Statistics - tinyurl.com/FAA-Stats

Helicopter ACS Videos - tinyurl.com/ACS-Playlist

TSA Flight Training Security Program (FTSP) - fts.tsa.dhs.gov

FAA list of Aviation Scholarships - tinyurl.com/FAA-Scholarships

AOPA list of Aviation Scholarships - tinyurl.com/AOPA-Scholarships

EAA list of Aviation Scholarships - tinyurl.com/EAA-Scholarships

Whirly Girls Aviation Scholarships - tinyurl.com/Whirly-Scholarships

SFAR 73 Training Video - youtu.be/RJ8SAnwxD6I

SFAR 73 Quiz (FAA WINGS) - tinyurl.com/SFAR73-Quiz

Student Discovers Fire at Night - youtu.be/62GOuRxUbUM

Light Gun Video - youtu.be/U7sVkPnCB3Y

Guimbal Cabri G2 Helicopter Video - youtu.be/8QPGv9GA4Xg

Enstrom Helicopter Video - youtu.be/Wk6qQDnLWeI

Helicopter Flying Handbook - tinyurl.com/FAA-HFH

Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge - tinyurl.com/FAA-PHAK-Book

Aviation News Talk Podcast Color Blindness Details - tinyurl.com/ANT-Ep359

Robinson Instructor Course - tinyurl.com/RHC-CFI-Course

Kenny’s Checkride Fail Video - youtube.com/watch?v=BNWSlnIF4uY

Dauntless Prepware Discount Link - dauntless-soft.com/products/groundschool/?aff=HTV

Helicopter Online Ground School (H.O.G.S.) 10% Discount use “HTV10” at Checkout - tinyurl.com/HOGSDiscount

Free Private Pilot 101 by Kenny Keller - privateblueprint.com

Book a Discovery Flight - tinyurl.com/HTV-Disco

HTV Recommended Books - tinyurl.com/HTV-Books

HTV Essential Pilot Supplies - tinyurl.com/HTV-Supplies

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MUSIC: Music Machine Mondays Theme Song by Wintergatan: wintergatan.net

Disclaimer: Be smart, and for official guidance, always consult your CFI!

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