| Flight Training |
Why Train With Scenic?High StandardsOur curriculum ensures that you will have the skills that will get you your initial job in the aviation industry. Just meeting the FAA standards will get you a license, but it will not get you a job. We teach the skills that students need to jump start their aviation careers.Personalized TrainingOur Certified Flight Instructors (CFI) are highly trained professionals that will give you the personal one-on-one instruction necessary to safely and effectively fly the helicopter. Our instructors will adapt to your learning style and ensure that you have the skills and knowledge to take your career to the next step.Real World EnvironmentScenic Helicopter Tours' location in East Tennessee offers a variety of training environments including mountains, forests, and metropolitan areas with year round flying conditions. This allows our helicopter students to experience training that closely reflects real world operational environments. We are also an active tour company and part 135 air carrier with many flights a day. Training with this kind of real world operation offers vital experience that other flights schools just can't match.Scenario Based TrainingAll our training is Scenario Based Training (SBT) designed to simulate real-world mission characteristics. After the basics of helicopter control are mastered, all flights are treated as commercial operational missions with the same performance expectations. For example, a cross country flight will have simulated mission objectives, such as an on-time arrival at a pre-determined destination, and other factors common in commercial aviation. Safety is always our primary responsibility, but as the student's knowledge and experience grows, we make every flight more challenging and in-turn, more realistic. For example, we may simulate an on-scene pick up for an Emergency Medical Service (EMS). This scenario would be used as a means of teaching max performance take-offs and landings, as well as the safe operation of a helicopter in a confined area.Helicopter OptionsAll primary flight instruction is done in the Robinson R-22. Scenic Helicopter Tours chose the R-22 for the simple reason that it is an excellent training helicopter, and has a proven record of safety and reliability. Also, if you want to get a job in flight instruction, or in most other entry level piloting jobs, you will need Robinson experience. We also operate Robinson R-44 and Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopters. This gives the student the option of receiving training in turbine powered helicopters and the very popular R-44 helicopter as part of their primary instruction, instead of having to pay for training in these helicopter types later.Helicopter Flight Training CoursesPrivateThe first step in becoming a pilot is earning your Private Pilot License. The Private Pilot rating is a prerequisite to a Commercial Pilot License and other subsequent ratings. The Private Pilot rating allows the holder to rent aircraft, carry passengers, and conduct most any other non-commercial activity. The basic cost of earning a Private License is an estimate based upon the minimums required by the FAA. Actual times and expenses will depend on your individual skills and capabilities.License Requirements Private Pilot - Helicopter: " 17 yrs old (16 for student pilot)-Read & Speak English " Hold a current FAA 3rd class Medical Certificate " Pass an FAA Written Exam " Complete 40 hours Minimum Flight Time including 10 hours Solo " Pass FAA Oral & Flight Test Approximate Cost: $12,900.00 CommercialThe Commercial License is the basic working license; it is a prerequisite for more advanced ratings such as Certified Flight Instructor, CFI Instrument, and Airline Transport Pilot. The training requirements and costs are outlined below. Commercial and CFI training should be combined if you are planning to get your CFI. The cost estimates are based on the FAA minimums for completing the respective licenses. Actual times and expenses will depend on your individual skills and capabilities.License Requirements Commercial Pilot - Helicopter " Possess a Private Pilot Certificate " 18 yrs old " 150 hrs total time o 50 hours helicopters " Have a minimum 100 hours Pilot-in-Command in a powered Aircraft o 35 hours helicopters o 20 hours cross-country helicopters " Hold a current FAA 2nd class Medical (or higher) Certificate " 10 hours instrument training " Meet day and night VFR cross-country requirements " Pass an FAA Oral & Flight Test Approximate Cost: $32,075.00 Certified Flight InstructorOnce you obtain your Commercial License you are theoretically employable, however, as a low time pilot there are limitations imposed by insurance companies and typical company policy minimum experience requirements. The best way to continue your education and to build up flight time is to work as a Certified Flight Instructor where the logged flight experience is obtained with free flight time and income. Cost as Add On : $5,950 Instrument HelicopterThe Instrument pilot certification program is for students, who have completed the Private Pilot Certification Program or the Commercial Pilot Certification Program, It will allow the student to obtain the knowledge, skill, and aeronautical experience necessary to fly in fog, clouds, and limited visibility (Instrument Meteorological Conditions). This should be taken concurrent with the commercial rating and credit hours logged toward the commercial license.License Requirements - Instrument Pilot Rating " Possess a Private Pilot Certificate " 40 Hours Instrument Flight Training " Pass Knowledge Test " Pass an FAA Oral & Flight Test Approximate Cost: (Testing fees only - if combined with your Commercial License) Cost as Add On: $13,150.00 Add On RatingsPrivate Pilot Add-On - HelicopterPilots who already hold Private, Commercial, or CFI, CFII or ATP Ratings in fixed-wing aircraft can earn an "Add-On" Rating in a helicopter. Those pilots are not required to take additional FAA written exams and the minimum number to training hours required by the FAA is also reduced. The basic cost of earning a Private License is an estimate based upon the minimums required by the FAA. Actual times and expenses will depend on your individual skills and capabilities. License Requirements Private Pilot - Helicopter "Add-On": " Possess a Private (or Higher) Pilot Certificate " Hold a current FAA 3rd class Medical (or higher) Certificate " Complete 30 hours Minimum Flight Time Including 10 hours Solo " Meet Minimum Cross-country and Night Flying Requirements " Pass FAA Oral & Flight Tests Approximate Cost: $9,900.00 Commercial Add-On - HelicopterPilots who already hold a Commercial rating in fixed-wing aircraft can earn an "Add-On" Rating in a helicopter. Those pilots are not required to take additional FAA written exams and the minimum number to training hours required by the FAA is also reduced. The basic cost of earning a commercial add-on is outlined below. These estimates represent the minimums required by the FAA. Actual times and expenses will depend on your individual skills and capabilities. Turbine Transition Course Requirements
· Possess a Private Pilot Certificate
· Obtain Sufficient Dual Instruction for Proficiency
· Demonstrate knowledge and ability of pilot certificate helicopter operations in a Bell Jet Ranger
Dual 5 hours @ $900.00 $4,500.00
Ground School 10 hours @ $35.00 $350.00
Testing, Books, Misc. $800.00
TOTAL $5,650.00
R-44 Transition
Course Requirements
· Possess a Private Pilot Certificate
· Obtain Sufficient Dual Instruction for Proficiency
· Demonstrate knowledge and ability of pilot certificate helicopter operations in a Robinson R-44
Dual 5 hours @ $750.00 $3,750.00
Ground School 10 hours @ $35.00 $350.00
Testing, Books, Misc. $800.00
TOTAL $4,900.00
* Please note that all transition courses can take form 5-10 hours of flight time depending on ability and proficiency
Aircraft Costs:R-22 $300.00 hourR-44 $600 hour B-206 $900 hour Instructor Fees:Flight Instructor $35.00 hour Ground Instructor $30.00 hour Additional Costs:Text & Materials $300.00 FAA Medical Exam $85.00 FAA Written Exam $90.00 FAA Practical Test $600.00 Headset (optional) $350.00 - $995.00 |