If you live in Australia, then its diverse landscapes make being a helicopter pilot one of the most exhilarating things ever. Whether you want to be a recreational or professional helicopter pilot, this is something that you can achieve through a little bit of training and hard work.
With that being said, getting your helicopter licence in Australia requires you to follow various steps, as well as an understanding of what the process entails. One crucial step before starting the training process is applying for an Aviation Reference Number (ARN) through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Today, we’re going to provide you with all of the information you need to get your helicopter licence in Australia. Keep reading to find out how to get a helicopter licence in Australia.
Table of Contents
- Types of Helicopter Licences in Australia
- Eligibility and Prerequisites
- Choosing a Flight School
- Doing Ground School Training
- Flight Training
- Practical Test
- Getting Your Licence
- Maintaining Your Helicopter Licence
- How Much Does It Cost to Get a Helicopter Licence in Australia?
- Final Thoughts on Becoming a Helicopter Pilot in Australia
Types of Helicopter Licences in Australia
So you can get your helicopter licence in Australia, the first thing that we need to cover are the different types of helicopter licences that you can get. There are several main categories of helicopter pilot licences to be obtained in Australia, as detailed below.
Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL)
First, there is the RPL or recreational pilot licence. This is designed to allow pilots to fly helicopters for various recreational purposes in Australia. This is generally the first type of helicopter licence that an aspiring helicopter pilot will aim to obtain.
To get this licence, a minimum of 30 flight hours, with at least 20 hours of dual instruction and five hours of flying alone are required. This licence limits you to flying within 25 nautical miles of the airport of departure, and you cannot fly within controlled airspace or at night without additional endorsements.
Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
Next, we have the PPL or private pilot licence (PPL(H)). This is designed to allow pilots to fly helicopters for personal use, such as flying across the country. This licence allows pilots to fly anywhere in Australia and to carry passengers.
One of the only restrictions here is that there are no commercial operations allowed. To get this licence, a minimum of 50 flight hours, including 35 hours of dual instruction and 10 hours of solo flying are required.
Completing a theory course is also an essential part of the training for the PPL(H). Additionally, passing theory exams is necessary to demonstrate knowledge across various subjects related to aviation theory.
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
The CPL or commercial pilot licence is an ideal choice for those who want to become a professional helicopter pilot. This is designed to allow pilots to fly commercially, particularly to carry cargo or to carry passengers.
As far as restrictions are concerned, there are none related to any commercial activities. To get this licence, a pilot must have a minimum of 105 flight hours, including 35 hours of flying solo and 70 hours of dual instruction, meeting the minimum hours required for the course.
After completing the required flight training and theoretical examinations, it is essential to complete a flight test with an authorised officer to obtain the CPL.
Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)
The ATPL or airline transport pilot licence is the highest level of licence you can get as a helicopter pilot in Australia. If you plan on engaging in commercial operations and having multiple crew members, then this licence is required. This licence is quite difficult to obtain, as it requires a minimum of 1000 flight hours, including various other prerequisites.
Achieving the ATPL opens up diverse career opportunities within the helicopter industry, such as firefighting, air ambulance, and tourism-related services.
Eligibility and Prerequisites
Before you can start getting your helicopter licence in Australia, there are specific eligibility requirements that you must meet. For instance, for your RPL and PPL, you have to be at least 17 years old and have a valid licence, and for your CPL and ATPL, you have to be at least 18 years old.
For getting your RPL and PPL, you have to get a Class 2 medical certificate by a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner, and for your CPL and ATPL, you must obtain a Class 1 medical certificate. Those wishing to obtain their helicopter pilot licence in Australia must also be proficient in English, which is accessed through the AE LP or Aviation English Language Proficiency Test.
Choosing a Flight School
The next step in the process of getting your helicopter licence in Australia is to choose the right flight school. There are various criteria that you want to look for in a flight school, starting with official accreditation by the CASA or Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
There are also other factors that you want to look out for when choosing a flight school, such as the condition and availability of the helicopters that are used for training. A good flight school should have a well maintained and modern fleet with diverse options that will provide you with experience in various types of helicopters.
On that note, you should also look into the instructors to make sure that they have substantial flight hours and are highly qualified. You might also want to consider the flight schools location in terms of the proximity to where you live, the complexity of the airspace, and weather conditions.
When choosing a flight school, you also want to consider how flexible the training programs are. Some schools might be part time whereas others might be full time, and some might allow you to choose between either or. Of course, the cost is also something you need to consider. You want to compare tuition fees, as well as other costs such as exam fees, fuel surcharges, and landing fees.
If you're interested in choosing a flight school and want to discuss your options in detail, feel free to reach out to our owner Edward Taylor, who has trained with various schools across Australia and can give you some pointers on the best schools to speak with.
Doing Ground School Training
To get your helicopter pilot licence in Australia, you’ll then need to engage in ground school training. Exactly how much ground school training you’ll get will depend on the type of helicopter pilot licence you are going for.
For instance, for your RPL, you’ll generally get around 20 to 30 hours of ground school training, and up to 50 hours for your PPL. To get your CPL you’ll generally need up to 150 hours of ground school training.
There generally aren’t any set hours, as long as all crucial parts of the curriculum are met. There are several aspects that you will learn in a helicopter ground training school, including principles of aerodynamics, flight instruments, meteorology, navigation, aviation law, and human factors.
Passing a theory exam is essential to demonstrate knowledge across various subjects related to aviation theory, which is critical for achieving flying qualifications.
Flight Training
Next, you’ll need to engage in flight training. Training students involves a structured flight training program for aspiring pilots, where you apply the knowledge that you learned in the classroom to real world scenarios. Training for being a helicopter pilot is divided into various phases.
First, you’ll learn basic handling, where you will learn all of the fundamental skills of controlling a helicopter. You’ll then move on to more advanced maneuvers, such as confined area landings and autorotations.
You’ll then move on to learning about cross country navigation, including planning and executing long distance flights using a variety of visual landmarks and navigation aids. In many cases, flight training will then also include night flying training for various nighttime operations. One of the most important things you’ll learn in flight training is how to respond in various emergencies.
Exactly how many flight hours you’ll need in training depends on the type of helicopter pilot licence you are getting, something which we covered further above.
Practical Test
To obtain your private helicopter licence in Australia, you’ll then need to perform a practical test which is overseen by a CASA approved testing officer. There are various aspects of this practical test that you’ll need to pass, including preflight preparation, flight manoeuvres, navigation, and an oral examination.
Getting Your Licence
Assuming that you’ve passed your practical test, you’ll then need to apply to the CASA to get your helicopter licence. This involves several steps, starting with submitting your logbook which contains all of your flight hours and instructor endorsements.
You must also include your Aviation Reference Number (ARN) in the application to CASA.
Once you do that, you’ll also need to provide proof of identity, evidence that you’ve passed practical test, and your medical certification.
Depending on the type of licence you’re going for, there will also be a processing fee for submitting the application. As long as everything is in order, the CASA will provide you with your helicopter licence, which will then allow you to operate a helicopter in Australia legally.
Maintaining Your Helicopter Licence
Flying a helicopter is hard work, and it requires you to be at the top of your game, therefore, there are various requirements to maintain your helicopter licence in Australia.
Regular Flight Reviews
You'll need to complete a regular flight review which occurs every two years, which is to ensure that your skills are current.
Medical Certification
if your pilot licence requires a Class 2 medical certification, you'll need to pass a new medical examination every four years if you are under the age of 40, and every two years if you are over the age of 40.
If your pilot's licence requires a class one medical certification, you'll need to get a new certification every year if under the age of 40, and every six months if over the age of 40. Depending on specific activities that you wish to engage in, such as night flying, you may need to obtain or renew endorsements.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Helicopter Licence in Australia?
In case you’re wondering how much it costs to get a helicopter licence in Australia, this really depends on the type of licence that you are going for.
A trial introductory flight is a cost-effective way to experience flying before committing to full training.
For instance, getting your RPL should not cost you more than $25,000, while your PPL may cost you up to $50,000. If you wish to get your commercial pilot licence, this may cost you up to $120,000, and for an airline transport pilot licence, you may spend up to $200,000.
Final Thoughts on Becoming a Helicopter Pilot in Australia
The bottom line is that with a bit of dedication, hard work, and training, you can become a helicopter pilot in Australia. With that being said, this clearly isn't for everybody. However, if you'd still like to fly in a helicopter, but don't want to be the pilot yourself, explore one of the many amazing private helicopter tours offered by Rotor One.
