Helicopter Flight Instruction FAQ

How long will it take to obtain my private pilots license?

The duration of your training will depend on how frequently you are able to fly and how much time you dedicate towards your studies. The FAA minimum requirement is 40 hours of flight training and 40 hours of ground school to qualify for your Private Pilot check ride, however these minimums are rarely met. You will need to keep training until you are proficient enough to pass your check ride. According to the national average, most students take 60-80 hours of flight time, and our students typically fall in that range as well. Flying part time, 3-5 hours a week, it will take 3-4 months to complete your Private Pilot training.

How much will my private pilots license cost me?

To meet FAA minimum requirements, your private license will cost $12,370. According to the times mentioned above, we have seen our students average between $13,000 and $16,000. You will save more money by flying frequently and remaining current on your flight training and ground school information.

Do you accept G.I. Bills, bank loans, or other forms of financial aid for your flight training?

We do accept various forms of financial aid including G.I. Bills and loans from certain banks. This works on an individual basis, so please verify with us before submitting your loan application. Contact any of our pilots for more information regarding G.I. Bills and applying them to your training.

I am not a citizen of the United States, do I still qualify to be a student at your flight school?

Yes! We are SEVP approved to issue foreign students an M1 visa for flight training. We have also expanded our facilities and staff to ensure the highest level of instruction is available for each student. Visit our foreign students page for more information regarding our SEVP program.

I have never flown. How do I know if I want to be a pilot or not?

Our Intro Flight is the perfect opportunity to gain actual flight time and see whether or not you would like to pursue a future in aviation. This package includes 15 minutes of ground instruction and 45 minutes of flight time over the beautiful San Diego coastline!

How do I become enrolled in your flight school?

The first step is to fill out an application and student questionnaire, which you can pick up at our office or have sent to you via mail or email. Once completed and approved, we require an initial $2,500 deposit to your account that is applied towards your ground and flight training.

Upon completion of my license, are you able to assist in job placement?

Corporate Helicopters is very well connected within the helicopter industry. We have aided in the acquisition of jobs for many helicopter pilots, both students and staff. We pride ourselves on the level of training provided to all of our students, and encourage them to pursue their passion for aviation.

Does Corporate Helicopters provide housing for students enrolled in your flight school?

No. We operate out of Montgomery field airport, and our offices are not equipped with living facilities. We do have recommendations that are near to our facilities and are working on obtaining discounted pilot rates for these locations.

Does Corporate Helicopters require to be paid in full prior to starting my training?

No! Corporate Helicopters only requires a fee of $2500 to be placed on account in order to receive the block rate discount. Our rate is $275 per hour in the Robinson R22, and is only available for students enrolled in our flight school and who maintain a minimum of $500 on account at all time.

Do I need to fly airplanes before I fly helicopters?

No! You can learn to fly helicopters without any previous aviation experience or knowledge. We suggest an introductory flight to anyone considering becoming a pilot, it is a great way to experience the thrill of flight and determine if you would like to pursue a career in aviation.

What type of work is there for pilots?

Helicopters are extremely versatile and are used as a tool for Fire Fighting, Electronic News Gathering (ENG), Aerial Survey, Executive Transport, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Power line and Pipeline Patrol, Wild Life Protection, Aerial Crane, Sight Seeing Tours, Aerial Filming and Photography and more. Pilots tend to fly for multiple types of work throughout their extensive careers.

How old do I have to be to start training and obtain my license?

The FAA requires a student to be 17 years to receive a Private Pilots license. At Corporate Helicopters we require a student to be professional and mature and will not start a training program until the student reaches 18 years old.