Commercial Helicopter Add-On
 

Searched and couldn't find many specifics, was hoping you guys could enlighten me.

I have the standard Comm SEL/MEL IR, CL65 type, blah, blah... What would it take financially to add on a commercial helicopter rating and how long generally could I expect to be training? (I know it will vary depending on how much I fly). My theoretical goal would be to switch from airline flying to AirCare (EMS) type work after countless hours of instructing, flying the pipeline, etc to get req experience. Any other input and words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.

The thing about helicopters is that most insurance companies don't give a rat's patooey about your fixed wing time only your helicopter time, at least that is how I understand it after over a year's worth of research in becoming a rotary wing pilot. So while the add-ons may only be less hours the hours are two ( and now with gas probably three ) times more expensive then fixed wing hours and you can't instruct in helicopters until you have at least 200 and you'll need 300 to teach in R22's and also a factory Robinson training course that all Robbie flyers go to ( sorry the details are a little fuzzy right now off the top of my head ) There is rumor however that some flight schools can get you on their insurance with less hours ( because of fixed wing time ) but I wouldn't bank on maybes. Last you are going to have to have 2000 hours minimum time to work EMS, and most EMS ( keyword most not all ) want you to have significant amounts of night time, instrument time and turbine time. So that's a good start - try here for more - Verticalreference Home

§ 61.129 Aeronautical experience.
(c) For a helicopter rating. Except as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, a person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating must log at least 150 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:

(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in helicopters.

(2) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least—

(i) 35 hours in helicopters; and

(ii) 10 hours in cross-country flight in helicopters.

(3) 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in §61.127(b)(3) of this part that includes at least—

(i) 10 hours of instrument training in an aircraft;

(ii) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a helicopter in day VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure;

(iii) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a helicopter in night VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and

(iv) 3 hours in a helicopter in preparation for the practical test within the 60-day period preceding the date of the test.

(4) 10 hours of solo flight in a helicopter on the areas of operation listed in §61.127(b)(3) of this part, which includes at least—

(i) One cross-country flight with landings at a minimum of three points, with one segment consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and

(ii) 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern).

Not sure what that would cost, but there's the minimum hours for you. I have no idea what helicopter rent for these days, and I don't really want to know, as I'd probably die of sticker shock. Best of luck to you.

you know I've heard that if you have a fixed wing cfi you can get all the way to rotor cfi, with only 60hrs.... of course price-wise thats like +/- 2 type ratings... but helos would be some fun!! Word on the street is those guys flying to those rigs in the gulf make a decent amount more than comparable fixed wing time RJ capts.