FAQs
Learning to fly
Q: How long does it take to get a helicopter pilot license?
A: The FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours to qualify for your private pilot checkride. No one ever does it in the minimum time; most people take 60-80 hours flight time. The more often you fly—we suggest 3 times a week or more, particularly in the pre-solo stage—the faster progress you'll make. If you fly about 3-5 hours a week, it'll take about 3-4 months to complete your training.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: You do the math. We don't sell a package, so you pay for the training you receive, as you receive it. Most people spend about $25,000 to get a private pilot license. It's better to start your training when you can afford to fly several times a week; if you have to budget to afford just a flight or two a month, you won't make much progress, and it'll end up costing you more in the long run.
Q: Does it help if I'm already a fixed-wing pilot?
A: Yes, in some ways. You'll be ahead on training in navigation, weather, and radio. If you already hold a pilot's license, you don't have to take the written exam to get a helicopter add-on, but you must complete the oral and practical test (checkride). However, flying a helicopter requires learning completely different controls and a lot more coordination that flying a fixed-wing aircraft. Even if you're a competent fixed-wing pilot, be prepared to be humbled the first time you try to hover a helicopter. Becoming proficient won't be automatic, even though you may be ahead of a non-pilot on procedural knowledge.
Q: What if I have a medical condition?
A: Every pilot is required to pass an FAA medical exam before you can solo. We encourage our students to get the FAA medical done immediately (even before you begin your flight training) if you think you might have a condition that will prevent you from passing the exam. Some medical conditions and use of the drugs prescribed for them may prevent you from becoming a pilot. We can provide you with a list of Bay Area physicians who administer FAA medical exams.
Q: Are there any jobs for helicopter pilots in the Bay Area?
A: Helicopter pilots are always in demand in busy metropolitan areas like this. Jobs include news, traffic, weather, emergency services, aerial photography, aerial survey, law enforcement, and fire fighting.
Q: Can I rent a helicopter from you after I complete my training?
A: Yes. We're the only FBO in the Bay Area that has a renter program.
Q: How do I start?
A: A good place to begin is with a Discovery Flight. You'll go up for a half-hour with an instructor and see what it's like.
Going Places
Q: Can you land anywhere?
A: Yes, under certain circumstances. If you have written permission from the owner of the property, if there are no federal, state, or local ordinances that prohibit a landing, and if the pilot deems it safe, we can land anywhere. Some communities have informal noise abatement and noise restriction policies, and we take these into consideration when choosing a landing spot.
People often ask, "Can you land in a vineyard?" The answer is "Sometimes." If you have written permission from the owner of the property, if there are no federal, state, or local ordinances that prohibits a landing, and if the pilot deems it safe, we can land anywhere. Napa Valley in general and most vineyards in particular, however, are very noise conscious, and we respect such informal restrictions.
Q: I live in the East Bay. Can you pick me up at Oakland Airport?
A: We can pick you up and drop you off at any airport in our service area.
Q: Can I take along my infant in my lap?
A: Your child can ride with you in one of our larger helicopters if the child is at least 6 years old and weighs at least 60 pounds. We don't allow children to ride in a lap, and because of California state law, we can't accommodate car seats, so we must restrict our services to children large enough to sit alone.
Q: How old do you have to be to take a Discovery Flight?
A: Our age limit is 16 years old for Discovery Flights.