The Commercial Pilot Program is intended for those who want to receive compensation for their skills. As a Commercial Pilot you are certified to work for another helicopter company or in your own aircraft. Being commercial rated you will have the opportunity to fly many missions ranging from Charters and Tours to Fire Fighting and EMS. With the right amount of experience the sky really is the limit to a Commercial Helicopter Pilot.

To be eligible for a commercial rotorcraft pilot certificate, you must:

   1. Be at least 18 years of age.
   2. Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language.
   3. Hold at least a private pilot certificate.
   4. Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this section that apply to the    aircraft category and class rating sought.
   5. Pass the knowledge test.
   6. Pass the practical test.

The minimum requirements for the Commercial Helicopter certificate:

Part 61 Requirements:

Total Time: 150 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:

A. 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in helicopters.

B. 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, that includes at least--

1. 35 hours in helicopters; and

2. 10 hours in cross-country flying in helicopters.

C. Dual: 20 hours of flight training on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation that includes at least--

1. 10 hours of instrument training in an aircraft; (See Note 4)

2. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a helicopter in day VFR conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 50 nm. from the departure point;

3. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a helicopter in night VFR conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 50 nm. from the departure point;

4. 3 hours of flight training in a helicopter within the preceding 60 days prior to the practical test.

D. Solo: 10 hours of solo flying in a helicopter on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation.

1. One cross-country flight with 3 points of landings of a straight line distance of more than 50 nm. from original departure point; and

2. 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings at a controlled airport.

Part 141 requirements:

Total: 115 hours that consists of at least:

A. Dual:  30 hours on the Commercial Pilot areas of operations that includes at least- (See Notes 19 and 20)

1. 5 hours of instrument training;

2. 1 cross-country of 2 hours duration in a helicopter in day-VFR conditions;

3. 1 cross-country of 2 hours duration in  a helicopter in night-VFR conditions; and

4. 3 hours of flight training in a helicopter in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 60 days prior to the practical test.

B. Solo:  10 hours in a helicopter on the Commercial Pilot areas of operations, that includes

1. 1 cross-country; and

2. 5 hours in night VFR conditions that includes 10 takeoffs and 10 landings at a controlled airport.