P&N Flight and Charter

If you’re set on helicopters only, you still need to be presented with both options first:

Helicopter-Only Path

• You’ll need 40–45 hours of helicopter flight time to earn your Private Pilot License for Rotorcraft.

• The total cost is about $25,000, with hourly lessons priced at $517/hour plus taxes.

Fixed-Wing First, Helicopter Add-On

• Most pilots start with their airplane license (40+ hours, around $12,000) because airplanes are cheaper to operate.

• Afterward, they add their helicopter license (20–25 hours, around $13,000).

• This path gives you two licenses (airplane and helicopter) for roughly the same total cost as going straight into helicopters—around $25,000.

Both options are great, but the second option provides more value and allows you to learn aviation basics at a lower hourly cost instead of a fast-pasted more expensive helicopter setting.

If you’re leaning toward helicopters, I highly recommend trying a Helicopter Intro Flight! They are billed at a 1 hour minimum charge

• Cost: $499 plus taxes

• What’s Included:

  • Meet your instructor and ask any questions about training and the process

  • Learn the basics of our Enstrom helicopter

  • Fly for 45 minutes (you’ll take the controls!)

  • Logging this time toward your flight hour requirements

Helicopter pilots are in high demand so even though the upfront investment is big, the career opportunities and income potential make it a high income career

Insurance Requirements

• You’ll need at least 20 hours of solo flight in the helicopter before moving on to solo flight

Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Time

• After soloing, you’ll need 50 hours of Pilot-In-Command time in the helicopter, with will be supervised by an Instructor

Checkride Preparation

• Once your solo and PIC times are complete, you’ll need 5-10 Hours additional training to prepare for the checkride

Estimated Costs

• Hourly Rate: $517/hour with Instruction

• Minimum Flight Hours: 70 hours total (20 solo + 50 PIC), plus checkride prep.

• Estimated Total: Around $36,000–$38,000, depending on the time required for checkride preparation.

This estimate assumes efficient progress and regular lessons

The cost of a helicopter add-on to your existing Private Pilot License (Fixed-Wing) typically starts at $15,000, depending on your personal progress. Here’s what goes into the cost:

• Flight Hours:

  • Approximately 30 flight hours for a helicopter add-on to fixed wing, 20 dual and 10 solo

  • Our hourly rate for helicopter training is $517/hour plus taxes.

• What’s Included:

  • Aircraft rental

  • Instructor fees

  • Fuel and Fuel Surcharges

The timeline varies depending on your availability and training schedule. Comitting to it full time can reduce these averages

• Helicopter Private Pilot Add-On: 4–6 months (training 2 times per week)

• Helicopter Private Pilot from Scratch: 6–12 months

• Commercial Helicopter Add-On: 6–9 months.

Frequent lessons and consistent scheduling can help you finish sooner!

You’ll train in the Enstrom helicopter, a reliable, rugged, and safe aircraft specifically designed for both training and utility operations. Here’s what makes it a standout choice for your helicopter training:

• Safety First: The Enstrom features a fail-safe, belt-driven transmission system, a design proven on over 1,500 aircraft worldwide. Its heavy-duty construction enhances passenger safety, while energy-absorbing landing gear protects both pilots and the aircraft during hard landings.

• Three-Bladed Rotor System: The helicopter's fully articulated, three-bladed rotor system ensures excellent stability and smooth handling, making it ideal for training beginners and advanced students alike.

• Manual Inputs for Skill Development: Without a governor or correlator, the Enstrom requires manual throttle inputs, giving students valuable hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of throttle management and helicopter systems.

• High-Inertia Rotor System: The high-inertia rotor system improves autorotation response time, giving pilots more control and confidence during simulated or real power-off scenarios.

• Unblocked Tail Rotor: The unblocked tail rotor provides superior control, especially in high winds from any angle, making it one of the most stable helicopters in challenging conditions.