How to Become a Helicopter Pilot (Ep. 001) | Helicopter Training Podcast

Dreaming of flying helicopters? This episode is your guide to starting your journey as a helicopter pilot. Whether you're curious or ready to begin, we’ll cover everything from earning your pilot certificates to choosing a flight school and the right helicopter airframe. We’ll also explain how VA funding, scholarships, and loans can help cover costs, share free ways to get started, and recommend essential supplies and books to set you up for success.

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Timestamps:
00:00 Start
00:33 Outline
01:16 How hard is it to become a helicopter pilot?
05:28 Age requirements
06:52 Education requirements
10:21 Medical requirements
17:15 Do I need to be a U.S. citizen?
18:50 Helicopter pilot path
21:53 Private Pilot
26:37 Instrument
32:28 Commercial
36:46 CFI
44:05 CFII
47:03 ATP
49:23 Airplane before Helicopter?
52:15 Part 61 or 141
57:41 Which helicopter?
1:04:33 Cost
1:09:18 Funding
1:12:09 Choosing a flight school
1:17:29 The next steps
1:19:02 Study on your own
1:23:10 Pilot supplies
1:23:51 Your questions
1:24:11 Links
1:24:20 Next episode
1:24:38 Outro

Show Links:
FAA English Language Standards - tinyurl.com/FAA-ENG-Standards
AOPA BasicMed - tinyurl.com/AOPA-Basic-Med
FAA Medical Classes - tinyurl.com/FAA-Medicals
Find an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) - faa.gov/pilots/amelocator
Part 67 Medical Standards - tinyurl.com/FAA-AME-Finder
FAA Pilot Statistics - tinyurl.com/FAA-Stats
Helicopter ACS Videos - tinyurl.com/ACS-Playlist
TSA Flight Training Security Program (FTSP) - fts.tsa.dhs.gov
FAA list of Aviation Scholarships - tinyurl.com/FAA-Scholarships
AOPA list of Aviation Scholarships - tinyurl.com/AOPA-Scholarships
EAA list of Aviation Scholarships - tinyurl.com/EAA-Scholarships
Whirly Girls Aviation Scholarships - tinyurl.com/Whirly-Scholarships
SFAR 73 Training Video - youtu.be/RJ8SAnwxD6I
SFAR 73 Quiz (FAA WINGS) - tinyurl.com/SFAR73-Quiz
Student Discovers Fire at Night - youtu.be/62GOuRxUbUM
Light Gun Video - youtu.be/U7sVkPnCB3Y
Guimbal Cabri G2 Helicopter Video - youtu.be/8QPGv9GA4Xg
Enstrom Helicopter Video - youtu.be/Wk6qQDnLWeI
Helicopter Flying Handbook - tinyurl.com/FAA-HFH
Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge - tinyurl.com/FAA-PHAK-Book
Aviation News Talk Podcast Color Blindness Details - tinyurl.com/ANT-Ep359
Robinson Instructor Course - tinyurl.com/RHC-CFI-Course
Kenny’s Checkride Fail Video - youtube.com/watch?v=BNWSlnIF4uY
Dauntless Prepware Discount Link - dauntless-soft.com/products/groundschool/?aff=HTV
Helicopter Online Ground School (H.O.G.S.) 10% Discount use “HTV10” at Checkout - tinyurl.com/HOGSDiscount
Free Private Pilot 101 by Kenny Keller - privateblueprint.com
Book a Discovery Flight - tinyurl.com/HTV-Disco
HTV Recommended Books - tinyurl.com/HTV-Books
HTV Essential Pilot Supplies - tinyurl.com/HTV-Supplies

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Disclaimer: Be smart, and for official guidance, always consult your CFI!

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