Interested in becoming a pilot?
Official Flight training Requirements for Private Pilot License (FAA)
- You can start training at anytime, but you must be 17 years old to be eligible for a pilot’s license
- You must be able to read, write, understand and speak English
- You must visit an FAA flight Surgeon, pass a medical exam and hold an FAA medical certificate
prior to your first solo
- You must show evidence of U.S. citizenship or receive approval from TSA to begin training.
- You must have a minimum of 40 hours flight time in helicopter including:
20 hours of dual flight instruction, including:
- 3 hours of dual cross-country flight
- 3 hours of night flight, including 50NM x-country and 10 take offs and landings
- 3 hours in preparation for the flight test
- 10 hours of solo flight time, including: 3hrs of cross-country flight, including 75NM x-country
- You must complete a course of ground instruction with a Certified Flight or Ground Instructor
- You must take and pass a written test
- You must take and pass an FAA oral and practical flight test with an FAA designated examiner (checkride)
Student Pilot Rates:
R-22 Dual Instruction $305/hr
R-44 Dual Instruction $525/hr
Ground Instruction $ 45/hr
How much will it cost to get my private pilot license?
| Instruction Needed / Hours | Cost | |
| Dual flight training (30 hours) | $ 9,150 | |
| Solo flight (pilot in command – 10 hrs) | $ 3,050 | |
| Ground instruction (40 Hours) | $ 1,800 | |
| Books and Supplies | $ 400 | |
| Medical Certificate | $ 100 | |
| Written Test | $ 100 | |
| Examiner Fee | $ 500 | |
| TOTAL | $15,100 | |
* Please note that the flight time listed is the minimum needed assuming training in the R-22. The average student generally requires between 50-60 hours of flight time before being ready to take their check ride.
Contact Sky River™ Helicopters for more information. Call 908.809.5942.
