Many fixed wing pilots are enamored with the idea of flying helicopters. While airplane pilots have strict rules to follow in the traffic pattern, it seems helicopters are simply buzzing around, following their own rules as they presumably do their own thing. The freedom to explore low-level environments in a helicopter is tantalizing enough, to say nothing of the versatility of landing on a pad as opposed to a strip of runway. But the draw of flying a helicopter usually gives way to the complexity of its controls, causing many pilots to begin their flight training in fixed wing aircraft and wonder if maybe one day they’ll migrate over to flying helicopters.

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For those interested in learning to fly a helicopter and have already earned their private pilot license in a fixed wing aircraft, this is a quick guide as to the rules and regulations of adding helicopter privileges. 

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The FAA establishes in Part 14 61.109 what is required for a private airplane pilot to earn their helicopter rating. More formally, this is referred to as a private pilot with airplane category and single-engine land rating earning their private pilot with rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating: 
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The applicant must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training and the training must include at least—
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(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a helicopter;

(2) 3 hours of night flight training in a helicopter that includes—

(i) One cross-country flight of over 50 nautical miles total distance; and

(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.

(3) 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a helicopter in preparation for the practical test, which must have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test; and

(4) 10 hours of solo flight time in a helicopter, consisting of at least—

(i) 3 hours cross-country time;

(ii) One solo cross country flight of 100 nautical miles total distance, with landings at three points, and one segment of the flight being a straight-line distance of more than 25 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and

(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.
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This article assumes an applicant already has their private pilot airplane with at minimum a single-engine land rating and is looking for a helicopter add-on. Given this, the requirements listed above should look familiar. For private pilots in the airplane category, a helicopter add-on rating is basically a redux of primary flight training (i.e., private pilot training) with the advantage of already having over 40 hours of flight time. So broadly speaking, a PPL airplane pilot needs only 20 hours of dual flight instruction in a helicopter, in addition to the 10 hours of solo flight time to receive helicopter privileges. 

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Do you need to take the written exam (again) for the helicopter add-on?

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No. The FAA plainly states in 14 CFR 61.63 that for individuals pursuing an additional aircraft category rating (in this case a helicopter add-on), they:
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(1) Must complete the training and have the applicable aeronautical experience.

(2) Must have a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized instructor attesting that the person was found competent in the appropriate aeronautical knowledge areas and proficient in the appropriate areas of operation.

(3) Must pass the practical test.

(4) Need not take an additional knowledge test, provided the applicant holds an airplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, weight-shift-control aircraft, powered parachute, or airship rating at that pilot certificate level.

As a friendly reminder, the practical test comprises the oral exam and the checkride. 

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What can someone do with a rating to fly helicopters?

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A helicopter add-on rating is a bit of a misnomer. It offers additional privileges but has separate currency requirements that are not inclusive, or “added onto” the time spent flying an airplane. This means that in order to be current in a helicopter or airplane, one must fulfill the necessary requirements in the correct category. For instance, their 3 takeoffs and landings within 90 days in an airplane do not translate to a helicopter and vice versa.

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This being said, a helicopter rating allows pilots to fly any helicopter below 12500 pounds. The only caveat to this are for pilots interested in flying the Robinson R44 or R22 helicopters. These helicopters represent two of the most popular in general aviation, but require special awareness training. According to the FAA SFAR 73: 

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Awareness training must be conducted by a certified flight instructor who has been endorsed under paragraph (b)(5) of this section and consists of instruction in the following general subject areas:

(i) Energy management;

(ii) Mast bumping;

(iii) Low rotor RPM (blade stall);

(iv) Low G hazards; and

(v) Rotor RPM decay.

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Note, the Robinson R66 helicopter, which is the platform the Skyryse One mentioned below is built on, does not require the awareness training above.

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While having a private pilot license in an airplane offers a strong foundation towards earning a helicopter rating in the rotorcraft category—it should go without saying that the experience will be quite different than primary flight training in a fixed wing aircraft. Yes, the time requirement of 40 hours will already have been achieved, but the reality is that it will likely take more than 40 hours of dedicated flight training, anyway. This said, adding helicopter privileges can offer new flying adventures for even the most experienced fixed wing pilot.

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Skyryse created the Skyryse One to make the experience of flying more accessible to not just aspiring helicopter pilots transitioning from fixed wing, but for anyone interested in aviation. Skyryse One features the world’s most advanced operating system, dramatically reducing the time needed to learn to fly and increasing the safety profile of any aircraft. For more information on SkyOS capabilities and how it expedites the ability for private airplane pilots to learn to fly a helicopter, view this page for more.

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