FOR A COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER RATING

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FAA MINIMUMS

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MUST BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE

MUST HOLD AT LEAST A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE

MUST HOLD A CLASS 3 MEDICAL MINIMUM

MUST HOLD A CLASS 2 MEDICAL TO EXERCISE THE PRIVELAGE OF COMMERCIAL OPERATOR

 

A person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating must log at least 150 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:

(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in helicopters.

(2) 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.

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(3) 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in § 61.127(b)(3) of this part that includes at least—

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(i) 5 hours on the control and maneuvering of a helicopter solely by reference to instruments using a view-limiting device including attitude instrument flying, partial panel skills, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, and intercepting and tracking navigational systems. This aeronautical experience may be performed in an aircraft, full flight simulator, flight training device, or an aviation training device;

(ii) One 2-hour cross country flight in a helicopter in daytime conditions that consists of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure;

(iii) One 2-hour cross country flight in a helicopter in nighttime conditions that consists of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and

(iv) Three hours in a helicopter with an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test.

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(4) 10 hours of solo flight time in a helicopter OR 10 hours of flight time performing the duties of pilot in command in a helicopter with an authorized instructor on board (either of which may be credited towards the flight time requirement under paragraph (c)(2) of this section), on the areas of operation listed under § 61.127(b)(3) that includes—

(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)

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MUST PASS FAA WRITTEN TEST

MUST PASS FAA PRACTICAL TEST