Is it necessary to get an instrument rating?
YES, for a professional pilot, instrument rating is very necessary and valuable. The instrument rating will help pilots easier to step up from small to medium size helicopters which are equipped with modern sophisticated avionics system.
What's it take to become a professional helicopter pilot?
As with any professional lifetime career, it takes time to build enough flight experience to become employable. You first need to earn your Commercial Pilot's license, then you need to "build time" to be employable.
After I earn my helicopter license, what kinds of helicopters can I fly?
Generally, the flight controls work the same in EVERY type and size of helicopter. However, to safely fly a different size or type of helicopter you will usually be required by the Authority some additional type rating training in that aircraft. In addition, insurance companies will require a certain number of hours of experience before you can act as solo Pilot-in-Command of different sizes or types of aircraft.
Is flying helicopters dangerous?
No, not for a properly trained pilot who exercises good judgment. If you encounter bad weather or have a technical problems, you can enter to land a helicopter safely on the standby heliports which you had been planned before the flight within a minute or two. Most helicopter accidents happen due to pilot’s poor situation awareness and poor judgment as flying too low, or continuing to fly in bad weather or limited visibility. In fact, these accidents are avoidable by flying prudently.
Is a helicopter easier to learn to fly than an airplane?
Initially, it's more difficult to learn to control a helicopter. Helicopters are less stable (but not less safe) than airplanes. But once you learn to master the controls of the helicopter, it becomes instinctive. At this level of proficiency , the controlling a helicopter goes naturally , it likes riding a bicycle or other kinds of transport vehicles.
Can ANYONE learn to fly a helicopter?
Usually, most healthy people with correctable eyesight, normal hand-eye coordination, no major health issues can be trained to fly a helicopter. In fact, at the same start point some can learn quicker than others. In addition, some exceptions are people with certain physical or mental handicaps, or an extreme fear of flying may cause the difficulties when being trained to fly. Before attending the flight training course, attendants must have to pass an medical exam and to achive an appropriate certificate of fitness issued by an Authorised Aviation medical center.
Do I have to be an airplane pilot before I can learn to fly helicopters?
NO, absolutely NOT! To attend the ab-initio helicopter flight training course, you are not required to have aicraft flying credit time. However, you have to meet pre-requisite of PPL training course at least.