Private Pilot Certificate Do you want to learn to fly a helicopter as a hobby or to purchase your own helicopter? If so, this is the certificate you want. Many people get their Private Pilot Certificate to fly their family and friends around town, for work, or simply for pleasure.  It is also the first step on the career track, for those interested in becoming a professional pilot. This certificate allows you to fly almost any helicopter (the few exceptions are large construction and heavy lift helicopters). You may share your flying expenses with your passengers. After you pass your private checkride, you will be able to rent our helicopters for taking up friends and family, flying to restaurants, and landing at your home or ranch. Keep in mind that the FAA minimum flight time is 40 hours.  While it is possible to complete the rating in that time, it is a rare event.  Most people take a bit longer, however since most schools quote the minimums, we do as well for comparisons sake. Our advice is to budget 60 hours of flight time for the private rating, which is a realistic number for most people who are training on a regular basis. We offer this rating in all three types of helicopters we fly, the choice is yours.  We generally suggest that you start out in the Schweizer 300CB as we find it is easier to learn in, however you're welcome to train in any helicopter you wish.  Listed below in order of price: Private Pilot Program Schweizer 300CBi / Robinson R-22 Beta II Hours / Qty Price / Hour Total Robinson R-22 Beta II (Dual Instruction) 30 $300 $9,000 Robinson R-22 Beta II (Solo Practice) 10 $250 $2,500 Ground School (One-on-One Instruction) 40 $50 $2,000 Total Cost (Block Rates) As of 3/1/2008 *     $13,500   Private Pilot Program - Robinson R-44 Raven II Hours / Qty Price / Hour Total Robinson R-44 Raven II (Dual Instruction) 30 $500 $15,000 Robinson R-44 Raven II (Solo Practice) 10 $450 $4,500 Ground School (One-on-One Instruction) 40 $50 $2,000 Total Cost (Block Rates) As of 3/1/2008 *     $21,500   Extra items required to complete course Hours / Qty Price / Hour Total Headset (David Clark) 1 $350 $350 Study Guides, Charts, Books, Supplies   $750 $750 FAA Medical Exam 1 $90 $90 FAA Written Tests 1 $90 $90 FAA Checkride 1 $400 $400 Total Cost As of 3/1/2008     $1,680 * Place $5,000 on account to qualify for the block rates.  You also quality for our block rates if you use one of our finance partners.  If you want to pay for each flight as you go, there is an additional charge of $20 per hour for the aircraft.  Click here to see our Refund & Block Rate Policy