Private and Commercial Helicopter Pilot Flight Training Information

Click here to view the Garden City Helicopters Introduction to Flight Training PDF(49KB)

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Pre-Solo Requirements
Before flying the helicopter solo the student must have a medical examination by a Civil Aviation approved medical examiner in New Zealand.

Our recommended Civil Aviation Medical Examiners are:

Dr Kevin Lee Ferry Road Medical Centre 276 Ferry Road Christchurch Phone: (03) 381 0551

Dr Susie Newton Phone: (03) 359 5370 or 027 436 7685

 

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Trial Flights
Trial Flights are available where you can be at the controls with one of our experienced instructors sitting beside you.
Please note: Individual weight restrictions may apply. Please check with us at time of booking.

 

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Private Helicopter Pilot License Requirements

This license entitles the person to pilot a helicopter carrying non fare paying passengers.

1. Must be 17 years of age.
2. Must have passed private pilot medical by an approved medical examiner.
3. Must have completed all theory examinations which includes:
   Navigation
   Principles of Flight/Air Technology
   Meteorology
   Radio Communications
   Human Factors
   Law
4. If the applicant is the holder of valid private pilot license airplane, he/she will only need to sit and pass the written examination 'Principles of Flight/Air Technology'.
5. Must have completed no less than 50 hours flight experience which must include:
   20 hours of dual instruction (Not in Permit to Fly Helicopter).
   15 hours Pilot in Command (up to 5 hours may be in a Permit to Fly Helicopter).
   10 hours of Cross Country Navigation training which must include 5 hours dual.
   5 hours advanced dual.
   5 hours of Mountain Flying, which must include 3 hours dual.

Additional Ratings (Not Compulsory)

5 hours of Night Flying which must include 2 hours dual.
5 hours of Sling Loads which must include 3 hours dual.

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Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence Requirements
This licence entitles the person to pilot a helicopter carrying fare paying passengers.

1. Must be 18 years of age.
2. Must have passed a commercial pilots medical examination by an approved medical examiner.
3. Must hold a valid private pilots license (helicopter) and have completed all the theory and flying experience required.
4. If an applicant has a valid commercial pilot aeroplane license will only need to sit and pass the following exams:
   Principles of Flight and Helicopter Performance and General Aircraft Technical Knowledge (helicopter).
5. Must have completed no less than 150 hours of flight experience which must include:
   35 hours of dual helicopter instruction (not in Permit to Fly Helicopters)
   35 hours as Pilot in Command (up to 10 hours may be in Permit to Fly Helicopter).
   20 hours of Cross Country Navigation flying which shall include 16 hours of pilot cross country navigation training, 8 hours of dual and 8 hours of pilot in command (Must be supervised by a Category A or B Instructor).
   Up to 16 hours cross country may be credited to a Commercial Pilot Aeroplane license holder.
   10 hours of Sling Loads which must include 7 hours of dual.
   10 hours of Mountain Flying which must include 6 hours of dual.

Additional Ratings (Not compulsory).

10 hours Night Flying which must include 5 hours of dual.

 

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Credits
A credit of half the Pilot in Command time within the preceding 12 months (from Helicopter flight test date) up to a maximum of 10 hours for flight time flown in aeroplanes, gliders and permit to fly aeroplanes.

To Private Pilot Aeroplane License Holder.
A credit of half the Pilot in Command time within the preceding 12 months (from Helicopter flight test date) up to a maximum of 50 hours. This would reduce the total helicopter flight time to a minimum of l00 hours.

To a Commercial Pilot Aeroplane License Holder
A credit of half the pilot in command time within the preceding 12 months from helicopter flight test date up to a maximum of 70 hours.

Note: The flying time must be either aerial work or air transport. This would reduce the helicopter flight time to 80 hours.

 

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Study Reference and Resources
The following are suggested study material PPL Exams:

1. The 'Basic Helicopter handbook'.
2. The 'Flying Training Manual' by KE Fenwick.

These books are obtainable from the Technical Bookshop, Windmill Centre, Riccarton and from Fliteline Services Ltd, Unit 5/855 Wairakei Road, Christchurch.

For those students considering doing their Commercial Licence, the book "Principles of Helicopter Flight" by Walter Wagtendork is available from Technical Bookshop, Windmill Centre, Riccarton and Fliteline Services Ltd, Unit 5,855 Wairakei Road.

Pilot's Log Books
These are available from the Government Book Shop Section in Whitcoulls, Cashel Street Branch, Christchurch, Fliteline Services Ltd., Unit 5/855 Wairakei Road, Christchurch and also the Canterbury Aero Club.

Civil Aviation Authority bulletins, rules and advisory circulars can be obtained from the Internet on www.caa.govt.nz Licensing information is in AC61.

Canterbury Aero Club hold theory classes for PPL students. If you would like to know more about these please contact the Aero Club Ph (03) 359 2121.