The commercial helicopter pilot license

Turn flying helicopters into your profession

In order to charge money for flying helicopters, you need to have your commercial helicopter pilot license CPL(H).

HeliCentre is the biggest helicopter training course provider in The Netherlands, so for getting your CPL(H) you could not have chosen a better place.

CPL

Upon getting your PPL(H) you can train on to become a professional helicopter pilot. As soon as you have collected enough flying experience (155 hours), you can start your CPL(H) course.

The course consists of a theoretical and a practical part.

THE THEORETICAL PART

The theoretical part largely consists of self-study (approximately 650 hours) and two weeks of classroom-based learning.

You are tested on the following modules:

  • General navigation;
  • Principles of flight;
  • VFR communications;
  • Air law;
  • Meteorology;
  • AGK airframes & systems;
  • AGK instruments;
  • Radio navigation;
  • Mass & balance;
  • Flight planning & monitoring;
  • Human performance & limitations;
  • Performance;
  • Operational procedures;
  • IFR communications.

THE PRACTICAL PART

The practical part consists of a number of flying lessons, of which the majority are flown alongside an instructor.

MINIMUM OF 30 FLYING HOURS

The practical part consists of a minimum of 30 flying hours in total. When you don not have a night rating yet, 5 extra hours need to be added.

WITH AN INSTRUCTOR

All these hours are flown alongside a flying instructor. These are flown in day light. When you do not have a night rating yet, five extra hours need to be flown in night time.

SOLO

During your training, you will fly 5 solo circuits around an airport in the dark as part of your night training.

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During your training, we will be using the Guimbal Cabri G2 or the Robinson R44 helicopter.

To be able to start your practical part, you need to have:

  • A valid EASA PPL(H) license;
  • A minimum of 155 hours of flying experience, 50 hours as a PIC and 10 hours cross country;
  • Completed all theoretical modules and passed the corresponding exams;
  • A medical check according to EASA category 1.

When you do not have have a night rating, you must add 5 hours to the necessary number of flying hours, which brings the practical part to 35 flying hours.

EXAM

After finishing both the theoretical and the practical part, you can take your practical exam with an examiner. The examiner will test your acquired skills and knowledge, and after successful completion you can apply for your CPL(H) license.

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The minimum age requirement for taking the CPL(H) exam is 18.

Prices

Price indication CPL(H)

For the separate CPL(H) training, the costs are made up of helicopter usage, fuel, the instructor, landing fees, the theoretical part (and exams) and insurances. Please keep in mind the course will total to approximately € 32.000.

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This price indication is based on training with the Guimbal Cabri G2. Of course, you can also train with one of our other models.

If you have already got your PPL(H) but not yet raked up the minimum required flying hours, extra costs will be incurred. An extra € 40.000 will be needed to stretch your PPL(H) experience to starting your CPL(H).

Would you like more information, or are you looking for further references?

Please feel free to contact us