Alliance Helicopters offers a high quality training program in the Robinson R-22 Beta II , the best rotorcraft for student pilot. Rates for training are $200 per hour for helicopter rental and $45 per hour for flight and ground instruction . Frequently Asked Training Questions I'm thinking of learning to fly helicopters. How do I start? Call Florida Alliance Helicopters and we will set you up with one of our experienced flight instructors. When you come in for your first lesson, you and your instructor will be able to plan a course of action that will help you meet your goals. I'm not sure I want to fly. Can I take an introductory flight? Yes you can. We do offer an introduction flight. Time will be spent with your instructor before the flight learning the very basics of the flight controls. Then you will begin the flight portion of your lesson where YOU will get to fly the helicopter with the help of your instructor. Do I have to have my airplane pilot's license before I start helicopter training? No you do not. Helicopters (rotorcraft) and Airplanes (fixed-wing) are considered two different categories by the FAA. Therefore, you do not need any fixed-wing experience to start training. I think I want to get both my fixed-wing and rotorcraft rating. Which should I start first? Start with the helicopter. The ingrained reactions of an airplane pilot can compromise your safety when flying a helicopter. Basically, people tend to revert back to their initial training in an emergency. These emergency "airplane" reactions can compromise your helicopter safety. Hey! I fly airplanes. Does this mean I shouldn't learn to fly a helicopter? Not in the least bit. You can learn to fly a helicopter. It will just take a little extra effort from you and your instructor to break your airplane habits, but before you know it you will be a safe helicopter pilot. How old do I have to be to start training? You can start at any age. You just will not be able to fly the helicopter alone, or "solo" as they say until 16 years of age. You may not be old enough to get your license, but you and an instructor can still do all the dual flight instruction you want. How old do I have to be to get my pilot's certificate (license)? A student pilot's certificate can be issued to you at 16 allowing you to solo the aircraft and train towards all the requirements for a private pilot certificate. Then at 17 you can be eligible for a private pilot certificate. What is a "private" pilot certificate, and what can I do with that? A private pilot is someone who became a pilot for personal reasons such as fun or travel. You will not be able to fly for compensation, but you will be able to take up family and friends. Depending how often you fly you should be able to achieve a private rating in four to six months. I'm thinking of a career as a helicopter pilot. What do I have to do now? First you will have to achieve your private pilot rating. Then you will need to do additional instruction for your "commercial" certificate. Your commercial rating will allow you to fly for compensation. This will require more flight training along with more in depth ground school. Starting from zero pilot experience to your earning your commercial rating should take approximately a calendar year. What next? I'm a low-time commercial pilot what can I do? The most probable step is to become a CFI (certified flight instructor). Almost all non-military trained pilots were instructors at one point. CFI jobs are abundant all over the country, and they allow you to build time and experience while getting paid. What if I have some sort of medical issue? It depends on the medical issue and your goal (private, commercial, etc.), but it probably won't be a problem. Talk to your instructor; be up front. They will know where to find the answer. Also, you will be required to get a medical checkout from an FAA certified aviation doctor. A current medical is required for solo flight during training. We encourage you to schedule a medical early on in your flight instruction. Your instructor will help set you up with a flight doctor for a medical checkout. I'm a citizen of another country. Can I take instruction in the United States? Yes you can. You will just have to register with homeland security. Go to www.flightschoolcandidates.gov and fill out the required paperwork. I'm all ready to go. What should I bring for my first flight? You will need to bring a passport or U.S birth certificate along with a photo ID. Everything else will be provided for you. I'm a big guy and those helicopters look tiny. Will I be able fly? The R22 has a maximum seat weight of 240lbs. If you are under that weight you are okay to start training. Can I land my helicopter anywhere? Yes and no. The FAA does not prohibit landings anywhere, but many cities may have an ordinance prohibiting landing your helicopter except in designated airports and heliports. Other considerations also come into account such as the suitability of the area for take off and landing as well as the possibility of disturbing others with noise. During your training you will learn more about what you can and cannot do. Which is easier to fly an airplane or a helicopter? An airplane is usually easier to fly. An airplane almost "flies itself" while the helicopter requires constant pilot input. Is there a lot of ground study required? Yes, you will have to use books. Becoming a pilot involves more than just flying. You will learn about weather, aerodynamics, FAA regulations, airspace, and so on. In addition to studying on your own, you will receive one-on-one instruction with a qualified instructor. What type of work is there for a commercial pilot? There are many jobs for helicopter pilots. There are the jobs we all are familiar with such as air ambulance/EMS, tours, electronic news gathering (TV helicopters), flight instruction, and corporate pilots. There are also many jobs you may never have thought off such as; flying off shore to oil rigs, logging, pipeline patrol, aerial photography, and more. Can a helicopter fly when it is windy? Yes! Helicopters tend to fly noticeably smoother than an airplane in turbulent windy conditions. Licenses and Classroom Instruction Obtaining a Private Pilot License: A Private Pilot Certificate allows you to fly a helicopter and carry passengers and baggage (although not for compensation or hire) and share operating expenses. FAA Minimum Requirement of 40 Hours including: 20 Hours of Flight Instruction including: 3 Hours of Dual Cross-Country in helicopters 3 Hours of Night flight training including:       - One Cross-Country of over 50 nautical miles total distance;       - 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern ) at an airport . 3 Hours in Preparation for the Practical (Oral/Flight) Test 10 Hours of Solo Flight Time including: 3 Hours of Cross-Country (1 straight line at least 25 nautical miles. 3 Takeoffs and Landings to a full stop in helicopters at airports with an operating tower. Ground School: About 35 hours will provide you with a solid foundation of basic aviation knowledge and prepare you to pass the FAA Written Exam. This exam is a multiple-choice test consisting of 60 questions with a minimum passing grade of 70%. It is valid for two years and you will need to take this test prior to taking the FAA Practical Test. Commercial Pilot Certificate: A Commercial Pilot Certificate allows you to fly a helicopter while working for compensation or hire. FAA minimum requirement of 150 Hours including: 100 Hours on a powered aircraft, of which 50 Hours must be in helicopters 100 Hours of pilot-in-command flight time including: 35 Hours must be in helicopter 10 Hours of Cross-Country (beyond 25 nautical miles) 20 Hours in dual instruction including: 10 Hours instrument training in an aircraft w One Cross-Country of at least 2 Hours in Day VFR       (straight-line distance greater than 50 nautical miles) One Cross-Country of at least 2 Hours in Night VFR (straight-line distance greater than 50 nautical miles) 3 Hours in a helicopter in preparation for the Practical (Oral/Flight) Test within 60 days of the test 10 Hours of solo flight time including: One Cross-Country flight with landings at 3 points with straight-line distances greater than 50       nautical miles between each point 5 Hours in Night VFR with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings . Ground School: About 25 hours will provide you with a solid foundation of basic aviation knowledge and prepare you to pass the FAA Written Exam. The FAA written exam is a multiple-choice test consisting of 100 questions with a minimum passing grade of 70%. It is valid for two years and you will need to take this test prior to taking the FAA Practical Test. Instrument Rating: As an instrument student you will start your training under the hood in a Robinson R22 Instrument Trainer. You will practice normal attitude flying maneuvers and unusual attitude recovery techniques. When you are proficient, you will then start learning how to navigate in the instrument world, including making instrument approaches, working with Air Traffic Control (ATC) and flying cross-country flights solely by reference to your instruments. You will concurrently receive one-on-one ground school to complement your training as you build your skill toward your rating. To be eligible, you must hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate, and be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. An Instrument Rating allows you to fly a helicopter in weather unsuitable for visual flight, by reference to instruments. Most commercial helicopter operators now require an instrument rating. Flight Training FAA minimum Requirements: 50 Hours of pilot-in-command cross-country flight time . 40 Hours of instrument time ,including: At least 20 hours instrument flight time in aircraft (airplane or helicopter). At least 15 Hours       instrument instruction in helicopters with an CFII on board One cross-country flight under instrument flight rules of 100 nautical miles along airways or ATC -directed routing. Ground school: About 30 hours, will provide you with the knowledge required for safe and efficient instrument flight and will prepare you to pass the FAA Written Exam. The FAA written exam is a multiple-choice test consisting of 100 questions with a minimum passing grade of 70%. Certified Flight Instructor: The first job you will have as a helicopter pilot in today's industry will be as a Flight Instructor. It is during this period as aninstructor you will refine your skills and ground in all that you have learned. You will gain valuable experience as you guide others through their training and goals as a teacher, mentor and friend. It is through instructing that you will build those first 1,000 hours that will open the doors to future turbine jobs. The Certified Flight Instructor course consists of approximately 20 hours of dual flight instruction.You will be trained how to teach normal and emergency procedures from the left seat as well as learn how to recognize common student errors so you may effectively evaluate and critique student performance. At the end of the training an oral and practical test will be administered by an FAA examiner. The Ground School portion of the Certified Flight Instructor course consists of approximately 20 hours of dual ground instruction. The first stage of training will teach you some fundamentals of instructing to enhance your understanding of how people learn. Understanding these fundamentals will help you in preparing effective lesson plans for your future students. The second stage of ground instruction will concentrate on learning how to teach the required maneuvers for both Private and Commercial certificates. Two FAA written exams are required (Fundamentals of Instruction and Certified Flight Instructor Rotorcraft). Helicopter Add-On: For those who already have a fixed wing rating, you may add a rotorcraft-helicopter rating. Flight Training Requirements: 40 Hours Minimum in Helicopters 20 Hours dual, (3 hours x-country, 3 hours at night, 3 hours in preparation of the Practical Test.) 20 Hours solo, (3 hours x-country, 3 takeoffs and landings at an airport with a control tower. A written exam is not required. For more information Contact us at :(941-223-9370) or alliancehelico@aol.com.