UZAIR

Private Pilot Helicopter Rating Requirements

1. Be at least 17 years of age.
2. Be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
3. Receive a log book endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
• Conducted the training or reviewed the person's home study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in #4 below for a rotorcraft rating with a helicopter class rating
• Certified that the person is prepared for the required knowledge test
4. Received and log ground training from an authorized instructor or accomplish a home study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas for a rotorcraft rating with a helicopter class rating:
• Federal Aviation Regulations of Part 61 Certifications of  Pilots and Instructors that apply to private pilot privileges, limitations and flight operations
• Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board 
• Use of appropriate information in the Aeronautical Information Manual and FAA advisory circulars 
• Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems
• Radio communication procedures
• Recognition of critical weather situations on the ground and in flight, wind shear avoidance and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts
• Safe and efficient operations of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence
• Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance
• Weight and balance computations
• Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems
• Awareness of low rotor RPM, settling with power, retreating blade stall and recovery techniques for helicopter class ratings
• Aeronautical decision making and judgment
• Preflight actions that includes
• How to obtain information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements
• How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered
5. Pass the appropriate private pilot helicopter rating knowledge test since the beginning of the 24th month before the month in which the practical test is taken
6. Receive flight training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who
• Conducted the training in the areas of operation as listed below in #7 that applies to a rotorcraft rating helicopter class rating
• Certified that the person is prepared for the required practical test
7. Flight Proficiency Training for rotorcraft category rating with helicopter class rating
• Preflight Preparation
• Preflight Procedures
• Airport and heliport operations
• Hovering Maneuvers
• Takeoffs, landings and go arounds
• Performance maneuvers
• Navigation
• Emergency Operations
• Night operations
• Postflight procedures
8. Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of part 61 that apply to rotorcraft category helicopter class rating before applying for the practical test.
9. Aeronautical experience for helicopter rating are as follows:
• Must log 40 hours of flight time
• 20 hrs of dual flight training from an authorized instructor
• 10 hrs of solo flight training in a helicopter in the areas of operations listed in #7 above including
• 3 hrs of cross country time
• 1 solo cross county flight at least 75 nautical miles with landings at a minimum of 3 points and 1 segment of the flight being a minimum straight line distance of at least 25 nautical between the takeoff and landing locations
• 3 takeoff and 3 landings to a full stop with each flight involving a flight in a traffic pattern at an airport with an operating control tower
• 3 hrs of cross country flight training in a helicopter
• 3 hrs of night flight training in a helicopter that includes
• 1 cross country flight of over 50 nautical miles total distance
• 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop with each landing involving a flight in a traffic pattern at an airport
• 3 hrs of flight training in preparation for the FAA practical flight test in a helicopter which must have been performed within 60 days preceding the date of the test
10. Obtain a written endorsement from an authorized flight instructor certifying that the applicant has been given flight training in preparation for the practical test within 60 days preceding the date of application.  The statement shall also state that the instructor finds the applicant competent to pass the practical test and that the applicant has satisfactory knowledge of the subject areas in which a deficiency was indicated by the Airman Knowledge Test Report
11. Passed the required practical test on the areas of operation listed in #7 above for part 61 for the rotorcraft category helicopter class rating