Add On Rating Program

Introduction

It is much easier than most pilots believe to add a helicopter rating to your fixed wing license. Here at Helicopters Northwest we will do our best to make it efficient and cost effective.

Flying a helicopter requires a some additional skills beyond those required to fly and airplane.  Some automatic fixed wing pilot reactions are inappropriate for helicopters, and so it can take some extra flight time for pilots to break those old habits.

While the hours and costs listed below are a representation of the FAA requirements, keep in mind that your costs may be different. Please scroll down to view the appropriate section below.

​Private Add On Course Approximate Costs*

Program Component

Ground Instruction
      20 hours

Flight Time in R22
     20 hours dual instruction
     10 hours supervised solo
 
FAA Practical Exam & Aircraft Rental
Books and Supplies
Damage Waiver  
 
​_______________________________________________
Total Course Costs                                                                                           ​          ​

Rate / Hour


$65


$330
$330




​
__________________________
​​

Total


$1,300


$6,600
$3,300

$900
$100
$500

_______________________
​$12,700

Instrument Add On Course Approximate Costs*

​The Helicopter Instrument Add-On Rating is for those who already hold a Private Pilot - Helicopter or Commercial Pilot - Helicopter license and associated instrument rating.

Program Component

Ground Instruction
      10 hours

Flight Time in R44
     15 hours dual instruction
 
FAA Practical Exam & Aircraft Rental
Books and Supplies
 
​_______________________________________________
Total Course Costs      ​

Rate / Hour


$65


$490



​
__________________________
​​​

Total


$650


$7,350

$1,100
$100

_______________________
​$9,200

Commercial Add On Course Approximate Costs*

Adding a commercial helicopter rating to your fixed wing commercial license is best done by first getting the private helicopter rating due to the FAA requirements for 35 hours of PIC in helicopters.

Individuals who are not rated at the Private Pilot level in helicopters cannot log the flight time with an instructor as PIC, however, those with the Private Pilot Helicopter rating can. The 35 hours of PIC may theoretically be flown solo, however it is very unusual for an add on student to meet the Commercial standards without those 35 hours being flown with an instructor. 

Program Component

Ground Instruction
      30 hours

Flight Time in R22
     20 hours dual instruction
     35 hours solo

Flight time in R44
​     10 hours dual instruction - instrument 

FAA Practical Exam & Aircraft Rental
Books and Supplies
Damage Waiver
 
​_______________________________________________
Total Course Costs      ​

Rate / Hour


$65


$330
$330

​
$490



​
​
__________________________
​​​

Total


$1,950


$6,600
​$11,550


​$4,900

$900
$100
​$500

_______________________
​$26,500

Certified Flight Instructor Add On Course Approximate Costs*

​​The Helicopter CFI Add-On Rating is for those who already hold a Commercial Helicopter License.

Program Component

Ground Instruction
      10 hours

Flight Time in R22
     15 hours dual instruction
 
FAA Practical Exam & Aircraft Rental
Books and Supplies
 
​_______________________________________________
Total Course Costs      ​

Rate / Hour


$65


$330


​
​
__________________________
​​​​

Total


$650


$4,950

$1,100
$100

_______________________
​$6,800

*Meets FAA minimums. Actual training time will vary.