Private Helicopter Pilots Licence

Learn to fly in New Zealand with HELiPRO and gain your Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL). Helicopter flight training is available at Palmerston North Airport, and Christchurch Airport in the South Island. Learning to fly with HELiPRO in New Zealand is a great experience! We also offer training for international students!

To complete your Private Pilots Licence (PPL), there are a number of requirements that must be met. At the time of your helicopter flight test you must be 17 years of age and hold a current class II medical.

Practical Helicopter Pilot Training

A minimum of 50 hours of helicopter flight training is required, as per CAR AC 61.3, except for allowable cross-crediting experience. This training will include the minimum flight time requirements that follow:

Dual instruction: 20 hours
Solo Flight Time: 15 hours
Cross-country navigation training: 10 hours in helicopters which is conducted in accordance with the syllabus set out in CAR AC61-1.3 Appendix II, except that the holder of a PPL(A) will only complete the PPL(H) cross-country flight test
Advanced dual instruction: 5 hours in accordance with the syllabus that follows:
Emergencies: Including autorotative approaches with power recovery to the hover and engine failure in the hover, discussion on forced landings, fire in the air and ditching
Hovering: 180 degree and 360 degree right and left
Figure S turn
Slope landing
Pattern flying: With constant heading
Quick Stops
Bad weather low flying: Low visibility techniques
Cross-wind: Take-off and landing
Minimum power: Take-off and roll on landing
Mountainous terrain flight training: 5 hours which will include 3 hours dual instruction and 1 hour solo flight time

Once you have completed the syllabus for the PPL (H) you will sit your flight test.

You will then be issued with your PPL (H) which means you can carry passengers anywhere in New Zealand. The next step in the helicopter flight training process is to complete a Commercial Pilot’s License CPL (H). This license allows you to fly helicopters for a living.

Learn to fly today with HELiPRO, and play your part in the exciting New Zealand aviation industry.