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Helicopter (H) licences

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There are two types of Helicopter (H) licences – CPL or CPL/IR(H)

CPL(H) = EASA Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopters)

CPL/IR(H) = EASA Commercial Pilot Licence & Instrument Rating (Helicopters)

Summary

Licence to the level of experience required to operate VFR as single pilot on single or multi-engine helicopters in commercial air transport. With an Instrument Rating you may also fly in cloud and controlled airspace.

AW189 with passengers - Courtesy - Bristow Helicopters Ltd

Privileges

  • Privileges of a PPL(H) & Night Qualification
  • On any helicopter [specified on the licence] as…
    • PIC/Copilot in operations other than commercial air transport
    • PIC in commercial air transport for a single pilot aeroplane
    • Copilot in commercial air transport

& with an IR(A)

  • PIC/Copilot in controlled airspace under IFR

You must be

  • Aged 18
  • EASA Part-MED Class 1 Medical

Integrated Training Requirements

Complete an approved Integrated or Modular course of training, one of…

  • CPL(H) Integrated Course
  • CPL/IR(H) Integrated Course
  • ATPL(H) Integrated Course
  • ATPL/IR(H) Integrated Course
  • CPL(H) Modular Course (see modular training)
    • IR(H) Modular Course (see modular training)

CPL(H) Integrated Course

Aim To train pilots to the level of proficiency for a CPL(H).
Initial Requirements None or some credit for a PPL
Total Flight Time ≥ 135 hours
Dual Instruction ≥ 85 hours
PIC ≥ 50 hours
Night ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation
Instrument Instruction ≥ 10 hours
Cross Country Navigation ≥ 10 hours dual & ≥ 10 hours PIC
Ground Exams
  • 350 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction
  • 13 multiple choice CPL exams
Flight Tests CPL(H) Skill Test

CPL/IR(H) Integrated Course

Aim To train pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to operate single-pilot ME helicopters & obtain the CPL/IR(H) multi-engine.
Initial Requirements None or some credit for a PPL
Total Flight Time ≥ 180 hours
Dual Instruction ≥ 125 hours
PIC (inc SPIC) ≥ 55 hours
Night ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation
Instrument (all) ≥ 50 hours
Cross Country Navigation ≥ 10 hours dual & ≥ 10 hours PIC
Ground Exams
  • 500 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction
  • 13 multiple choice CPL exams & 1 additional multiple choice IR exam
Flight Tests
  • CPL(H) Skill Test in SE or ME helicopter
  • IR(H) Skill Test in IFR ME helicopter

ATPL(H) & ATPL/IR(H) Integrated Courses

Completion of either course give you a CPL(H) (& IR(H)) with ATPL theory. See ATPL(H) Integrated Training for further details.

Modular Training Requirements

Complete an approved Integrated or Modular course of training, one of…

  • CPL(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
  • CPL/IR(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
  • ATPL(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
  • ATPL/IR(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
  • CPL(H) Modular Course, after a PPL(H)
    • IR(H) Modular Course

PPL(H)

This is not a professional licence, but the first step on the modular route towards a CPL(H). However it is possible to be a Flight Instructor with only a PPL(H), under certain conditions. For further details about the PPL(H) see the Private Pilot page.

Initial Requirements
  • Minimum Age 17, may start training earlier
  • EASA Part-MED Class 1 or 2
Total Flight Time ≥ 45 hours
Dual Instruction ≥ 25 hours
Solo ≥ 10 hours
Ground Exams 9 multiple choice exams
Flight Tests PPL(H) Skill Test

CPL(H) Modular Course

Aim To train PPL(H) holders to the level of proficiency necessary for the issue of a CPL(H).
Initial Requirements PPL(H) & ≥ 155 hours
Total Flight Time ≥ 185 hours including initial requirements
Dual Instruction ≥ 30 hours with credit for an IR
PIC ≥ 50 hours
Night ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation
Instrument Instruction ≥ 30 hours with credit for an IR
Ground Exams For CPL(H) only

  • 250 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction
  • 13 multiple choice CPL exams

or if aiming for ATPL(H)

  • 650 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction
  • 14 multiple choice ATPL exams
Flight Tests CPL(H) Skill Test

IR(H) Modular Course

Aim To train pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to operate helicopters under IFR & IMC.
Initial Requirements CPL(H) or a PPL(H) with Night Rating
Total Flight Time ≥ 200 hours including initial requirements
Dual Instruction ≥ 50/55 hours SE/ME with credit for CPL
Ground Exams
  • 150 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction
  • 7 multiple choice IR exams

(or 1 additional to CPL exams)
Flight Tests IR(H) Skill Test on SE or ME helicopter

Development

  • A minimum number of take-off/landings are required in a 90 day period to keep the CPL(H) current. An IR(H) is valid for a year and requires a revalidation test annually.
  • Class/Type Rating – to fly other aircraft types.
  • Flying Instructor (FI) Rating.
  • Instrument Rating (IR) for CPL(H) only – to fly as PIC/Copilot under IFR, i.e in cloud or in controlled airspace. See modular training IR(H).

ATPL or ATPL/IR(H)

CPL(A) = EASA Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplanes)

CPL/IR(A) = EASA Commercial Pilot Licence & Instrument Rating (Aeroplanes)

Summary

Licence for the level of experience required to operate single pilot on single or multi-engine aeroplanes in commercial air transport. With an Instrument Rating you may also fly in cloud and controlled airspace.

Courtesy - Bristow Helicopters Ltd

Privileges

  • Privileges of a PPL(A) & Night Qualification
  • On any aeroplane [specified on the licence] as…
    • PIC/Copilot in operations other than commercial air transport
    • PIC in commercial air transport for a single pilot aeroplane
    • Copilot in commercial air transport & with an IR(A)
  • PIC/Copilot in controlled airspace under IFR

You must be

  • Aged 18
  • EASA Part-MED Class 1 Medical

Integrated Training Requirements

Complete an approved Integrated or Modular course of training, one of…

  • CPL(A) Integrated Course
  • CPL/IR(A) Integrated Course
  • ATPL(A) Integrated Course
  • CPL(A) Modular Course (see modular training)
    • IR(A) Modular Course (see modular training)

CPL(A) Integrated Course

Aim To train pilots to the level of proficiency for a CPL(A).
Initial Requirements None or some credit for a PPL
Total Flight Time ≥ 150 hours
Dual Instruction ≥ 80 hours
PIC ≥ 70 hours
Night ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation
Instrument Instruction ≥ 10 hours
Complex Type ≥ 5 hours
Ground Exams
  • 350 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction
  • 13 multiple choice CPL exams
Flight Tests CPL(A) Skill Test in SE or ME aeroplane

CPL/IR(A) Integrated Course

Aim To train pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to operate single-pilot SE or ME aeroplanes in commercial air transport & obtain the CPL/IR(A)
Initial Requirements None or some credit for a PPL
Total Flight Time ≥ 180 hours
Dual Instruction ≥ 80 hours
PIC ≥ 70 hours
Night ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation
Instrument Instruction ≥ 100 hours
Complex Type ≥ 5 hours
Ground Exams
  • 500 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction
  • 13 multiple choice CPL exams & 1 additional multiple choice IR exam
Flight Tests
  • CPL(A) Skill Test in SE or ME aeroplane
  • IR(A) Skill Test in SE or ME aeroplane

ATPL(A) Integrated Course

Completion of this course gives you a CPL/IR(A) with ATPL theory, called a Frozen ATPL (fATPL).  See ATPL(A) Integrated Training for further details.

Modular Training Requirements

Complete an approved Integrated or Modular course of training, one of…

  • CPL(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
  • CPL/IR(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
  • ATPL(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
  • ATPL/IR(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
  • CPL(H) Modular Course, after a PPL(H)
    • IR(H) Modular Course

PPL(H)

This is not a professional licence, but the first step on the modular route towards a CPL(H). However it is possible to be a Flight Instructor with only a PPL(H), under certain conditions. For further details about the PPL(H) see the Private Pilot page.

Initial Requirements
  • Minimum Age 17, may start training earlier
  • EASA Part-MED Class 1 or 2
Total Flight Time ≥ 45 hours
Dual Instruction ≥ 25 hours
Solo ≥ 10 hours
Ground Exams 9 multiple choice exams
Flight Tests PPL(H) Skill Test

CPL(H) Modular Course

Aim To train PPL(H) holders to the level of proficiency necessary for the issue of a CPL(H).
Initial Requirements PPL(H) & ≥ 155 hours
Total Flight Time ≥ 185 hours including initial requirements
Dual Instruction ≥ 30 hours with credit for an IR
PIC ≥ 50 hours
Night ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation
Instrument Instruction ≥ 30 hours with credit for an IR
Ground Exams For CPL(H) only

  • 250 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction
  • 13 multiple choice CPL exams

or if aiming for ATPL(H)

  • 650 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction
  • 14 multiple choice ATPL exams
Flight Tests CPL(H) Skill Test

IR(H) Modular Course

Aim To train pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to operate helicopters under IFR & IMC.
Initial Requirements CPL(H) or a PPL(H) with Night Rating
Total Flight Time ≥ 200 hours including initial requirements
Dual Instruction ≥ 50/55 hours SE/ME with credit for CPL
Ground Exams
  • 150 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction
  • 7 multiple choice IR exams

(or 1 additional to CPL exams)
Flight Tests IR(H) Skill Test on SE or ME helicopter

Development

  • A minimum number of take-off/landings are required in a 90 day period to keep the CPL(H) current. An IR(H) is valid for a year and requires a revalidation test annually.
  • Class/Type Rating – to fly other aircraft types.
  • Flying Instructor (FI) Rating.
  • Instrument Rating (IR) for CPL(H) only – to fly as PIC/Copilot under IFR, i.e in cloud or in controlled airspace. See modular training IR(H).

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