Expert: David A. NewMyer - 2/26/2005

Question
Ever since I can remember I have wanted to fly helicopters, know at the age of 20 I am keen to really get into it. However, all the investigation I have done into starting a career in flying has met with the need for thousands and thousands of pounds. Can you let me know of any way of getting round some of the expense? I am living in England at the moment but would be able to move if I could save some money in doing so. I am so determined to become a pilot, it's not a question of IF, just WHEN! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Adam.

Answer
Hi, Adam:

It is nice to hear from you....I hope that my answer is of assistance to you.

Yes, it does cost a lot of money to learn to fly, either in helicopters or in fixed-wing aircraft.  The key here is that helicopters are a bit more scarce in the industry than fixed wing aircraft.  Therefore, the training options to learn to fly helicopters are also more scarce.  In the USA, it costs $5000 to $8000 to earn a Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot Certificate for fixed wing aircraft.  It also costs between $25,000 and $35,000 for an FAA Commercial Pilot certificate with multi engine aircraft and instrument ratings.  For a commercial rating in a helicopter in the USA, the range of cost is between $40,000 and $50,000.  So, yes, the cost is high.

I am not sure how to get around the expense except to shop around and also find out which training locations have the best loan and financial aid programs.  There are sometimes scholarships that you can earn via the entities that provide the training or from Associations that promote helicopter flying.  To check out costs world wide, go to www.google.com and type in "helicopter flight training costs" and see what comes up....there are lots of places all over the world to learn to fly helicopters.  The only other suggestion that I have may be a bit strange, but, one of the largest users of helicopters in the world are the military.  If you are not too old for the age limits, joining the military to fly helicopters there, while not very practical in the lifestyle sense, might be the least expensive way to go otherwise.  Again, just a thought.

I admire your determination to become a helicopter pilot.  I wish you the best.

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu/