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What is the first step to becoming a pilot?
Decide what you want to fly. FAA’s rules for getting a pilot’s license (certificate) differ depending on the type of aircraft you fly. You can choose among airplanes, gyroplanes, helicopters, gliders, balloons, or airships. If you are interested in flying ultra-light vehicles, you don’t need a pilot’s license.

You should also think about what type of flying you want to do. There are several different types of pilot’s licenses, from student pilot all the way up to airline transport pilot. The information below describes the eligibility, training, experience, and testing requirements for Student Pilots, Recreational Pilots and Private Pilots.

Types of Pilot Schools & Choosing a Pilot School
There are two types of schools. One is normally referred to as an "FAA-approved school" and the other as a "non-approved school".

Enrollment in an FAA-approved school usually ensures a high quality of training. FAA-approved schools meet prescribed standards with respect to equipment, facilities, personnel, and curricula. However, many excellent pilot schools find it impractical to qualify for the FAA certification, and are referred to as non-approved schools.

One of the differences between FAA-approved schools and non-approved schools is that fewer flight hours are required to qualify for a pilot certificate in an FAA-approved school. The requirement for a private pilot certificate is 40 hours in a non-approved school, and 35 hours in an approved school. However, since most people require 60 to 75 hours of training, this difference may be insignificant for a private pilot certificate.

Choosing A Pilot School
You must make your own decision on where to obtain flight training. Once you have decided on a general location, you might want to make a checklist of things to look for in a school. By talking to pilots and reading articles in flight magazines, you can make your checklist and evaluate a school. Your choice of a flight school might depend on whether you are planning on obtaining a recreational or private certificate or whether you intend to pursue a career as a professional pilot. Another consideration is whether you will train part-time or full-time.

Do not make the mistake of making your determination based on financial concerns alone. The quality of training you receive is very important. Prior to making a final decision, visit the school you are considering and talk with management, instructors, and students. Evaluate the items on the checklist you developed and then take some time to think things over before making your decision.

After you have decided where you will learn to fly and have made the necessary arrangements, you are ready to start your training. An important fact: ground and flight training should be obtained as regularly and frequently as possible. This assures maximum retention of instruction and the achievement of proficiency with the least expenditure of time and money.

Questions & Answers

In the Professional Helicopter Pilot Observer program all the needs for a helicopter pilot are satisfied by bringing the candidate to a final experience of 500 hrs TT but the cost of the program is definetly higher than a simple commercial license.

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Twin Air Helicopters is well known in Los Angeles area for being one of the few helicopter training facilities where you can receive affordable instrument training thanks to a state of the art helicopter flight simulator.

The “FLY-IT” is a Syntetic Training Device class II with full Visual screen.

This flight training device is FAA approved for Instrument training and VFR training is also approved by the major Insurance Underwriters for Recurrent Training on Turbine Helicopter.

We provide students with highly safe and cost effective training for their Instrument Flight Rating, we train them on dangerous emergency situation in complete safety.

The simulator is self contained in a trailer and can be towed on any street. Thanks to this unique feature our staff is able to relocate the flight simulator to any location to provide other Flying Schools with this tool.

Feel free to contact us about this short lease program.

Helicopter

Training Type	Duration	Details
Professional Helicopter Pilot Program (PHPP)	1 year
Private Pilot-Helicopter Flight Training (TA202)	8 to 10 weeks
Cross-Country Pilot-in-Command Helicopter (TA203)	4 weeks
Instrument Pilot-Helicopter Flight Training (TA205)	4 weeks
Commercial Pilot-Helicopter Flight Training (TA208)	8 weeks
Certified Flight Instructor-Helicopter (TA401)	8 weeks
Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument Helicopter (TA402)	3 weeks

Turbine Helicopter Recurrent Training

Training Type	Duration	Details
Bell 206 B VFR (RT01)	2 days
Bell 206 B IFR (RT02)	3 days
Bell 206 L VFR (RT03)	2 days
Bell 206 L IFR (RT04)	3 days

Advanced Training

Training Type	Duration	Details
Cockpit Resource Management (TA501)	1 week
Add-On Instrument Rating-Helicopter Flight Training (TA604)	2 weeks
Add-On Commercial Pilot-Helicopter Flight Training (TA605)	4 weeks

Ground School

Training Type	Duration	Details
Orientation mandatory for foreign students (TA001)	few hours
English as a second language (ESL) (TA002)	as needed
Aero English & Tower-Talk (TA003)	as needed
Private Pilot Ground School (TA101)	7 weeks
Instrument Pilot Ground School (TA104)	7 weeks
Commercial Pilot Ground School (TA106)	7 weeks

Professional Helicopter Pilot Program (PHPP)

JOB GUARANTEED Program including all the training for the Helicopter Private, Instrument, Commercial and Certified Flight Instructor Licenses. Upon completion of all FAA required flight training, the candidate will receive special training to become a Professional Pilot training on specialty flight operation such as Long Line Vertical Reference and Mountain Flying. The training program will continue with the candidate flying as PIC Under Supervision in helicopters during commercial operation to build valuable experience and flight time. Once achieved the goal of 500 hours TT in flight, the candidate will be hired as Pilot In Command and start his/her career as a Professional Helicopter Pilot and Flight Instructor. Student Loans are available OAC for this Program, in cooperation with qualified lenders. Minimum requirements to be eligible for financing: enrolment in any College Aviation Degree Program (we suggest the Utah Valley State College on line degree part-time) and enrolment full time (5 lessons a week) in the PHPP. Financing provided on approved credit at different rates, with or without co-signer. The repayment schedule is up to 20 years and starting 6 months after graduation. There is only a Limited number of openings for this program, call to confirm availability in the next class.

Flight Training Costs
Duration			2 years
Tutored Instruction			200 hours
Time Building			300 hours
Tuition full price			$99,650
Other Training Expenses
Self-Study Materials, books, equipment			$300
FAA Written Examinations $90 x 5 hours			$450
FAA Practical (flight) Examinations $450 x 4 hours			$1,800
Helicopter for Practical Examination $400 x 3 hours			$2,000
TOTAL Tuition at $20,000 blocks using financing from approved lenders			$80,000
TOTAL Tuition with pre-payment			$75,000
TOTAL Tuition and VISA for foreign Students (M1 H3)			$90,000

Private Pilot-Helicopter Flight Training (TA202)

Flight training in preparation for the FAA Private Pilot-Helicopter Practical Examination. Pre-flight inspection; ground operations; radio communications; normal, maximum performance and high altitude takeoff and landing; slope operations; steep approaches; straight-in, and hovering auto-rotations; emergency procedures; cross-country flight planning and execution; pilotage, dead reckoning and radio navigation; cross-country emergency procedures, and preparation for the Practical Test.

Pre-requisites: Demonstrated English proficiency; enrolment in TA101. For foreign students TA001, TA002 and TA003 courses are required after a language assessment test.

Note: Tuition assumes best-case student performance, i.e. completion of the course to Practical Test standards within the FAA average number of hours. Most students do not reach that level with the minimum number of training hours. Additional training is charged by the hour at current rates. The typical student will complete in 50 to 60 hours at a total cost of $14.000 to $15.000, plus incidentals.

Flight Training Costs
Duration FAA minimums 40 Hrs.* *(typical student gets license in 50/60 hrs.)			8 to 10 weeks
Ground School total $500 x 60 hours			$500
Pre- & post-flight briefings $50 x 30 hours			$1,500
Dual Flight Training $210 x 30 hours			$6,300
Flight simulator $130 x 20 hours			$2,600
Solo Practice Flight $160 x 10 hours			$1,600
Other Training Expenses
Books, materials, pilot supplies (headset)			$400
Insurance deductible			$400
FAA Written Test			$90
FAA Medical Examination			$50
FAA Practical Check ride (Flight Test Fee)			$400
Helicopter for Practical Test			$180
TOTAL Tuition			$14,020

Cross-Country Pilot-in-Command Helicopter (TA203)

Flight training and practice. Develops the student's experience, skill and judgment as the Pilot-in-Command under a variety of cross-country conditions. Pre-requisite: TA102.

Flight Training Costs
Duration			4 weeks
Ground School			N/A
Pre- & post-flight briefings $50 x 5 hours			$250
Dual Flight Training $210 x 10 hours			$2,100
Solo Cross-Country Practice $160 x 40 hours			$6,400
TOTAL Tuition			$8,750

Instrument Pilot-Helicopter Flight Training (TA205)

Flight training in preparation for the FAA Instrument Pilot-Helicopter Practical (flight) Examination. Attitude instrument flight manoeuvres, full and partial panel; radio navigation; flight planning; radio communications and clearances; takeoff, departure, enroute and terminal operations; weather and weather hazards; cross-country operations; precision and non-precision instrument approaches and procedures; diversion to unplanned alternate; emergency procedures, and preparation for the Practical Examination. Pre-requisite: Completion of TA203, and enrolment in TA104.

Note: Tuition assumes best-case student performance, i.e. completion of the course to Practical Test standards within the FAA-required minimum number of hours. Most students do not reach that level with the minimum number of training hours. Additional training is charged by the hour at current prices. The typical student will complete in 50 hours (30 flight and 20 simulator) at a total cost of approximately $9000 to $10000, plus other (non-tuition) expenses.

Flight Training Costs
Duration (may be concurrent with TA104)			4 weeks
Pre- & post-flight briefings $ 50 x 15 hours			$750
Dual Simulator (FAA minimums under FAR 141) $140 x 20 hours			$2,800
Dual Flight (FAA minimums under FAR 141) $210 x 15 hours			$3,150
Dual Instrument Helicopter ( R44 ) $450 x 5 hours			$2,250

Other Training Expenses
Materials, pilot supplies			$300
FAA IFR Written Test			$90
FAA IFR Practical Test Fee			$400
Helicopter for Practical Test ( R44)			$450
TOTAL Tuition			$10,190

Commercial Pilot-Helicopter Flight Training (TA208)

Flight training in preparation for the FAA Commercial Pilot-Helicopter Practical (flight) Examination. Normal and emergency operations in piston engine helicopter. Maximum performance takeoff and landing and all manoeuvres to Commercial Standards. Pre-requisites: Meet FAA requirements and enrolment in TA106 , completion of TA 202 and total time 130 of which 25 as PIC in helicopter.

Pre-requisites:
Be at least 18 years old, be able to read, speak, write and understand English language, hold a Second Class Medical Certificate, hold a Private Pilot Helicopter License (TA202), pass the written test, pass the oral and practical Flight Exam.

Aeronautical detailed experience:
  • 150 hours total flight time
  • 100 hrs must be in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must
     be in helicopters
  • 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time which includes at
     least:
  • 20 hours dual flight training to include
  • 10 hours of instrument training
  • 2 hours cross-country of more than 50nm
  • 2 hours night cross-country of more than 50nm
  • 3 hours within 60 days before check ride
  • 10 hours solo training to include
  • 5 hours of night flight cross-country with landings at minimum
     three points, with one segments of at east 150nm

The prices indicated are only based on average student performance according to FAA, it could be less or more according with student’s personal study pattern and how often training is performed. We use the average $160 per hour in R22 plus $50 per hour for our advanced instructor fees to compute the cost.

Flight Training Costs
Duration FAA minimums 120 Hrs.* *(typical student gets license in 120/60 hrs.)			8 to 10 weeks
Ground School total $500 x 60 hours			$500
Pre- & post-flight briefings $ 50 x 30 hours			$1,500
Dual Flight Training $210 x 40 hours			$8,400
Flight Simulator $140 x 10 hours			$1,400
Solo Flight time building $160 x 70 hours			$11,200
Dual Flight Training VFR $ 210 x 20 hours			$4,200
Dual Flight Training IFR $210 x 10 hours			$2,100
Other Training Expenses
Books, materials, pilot supplies (headset)			$400
Insurance deductible			$400
FAA Written Test			$90
FAA Medical Examination 2nd class			$100

FAA Practical Check ride (Flight Test Fee)			$470
Helicopter for Practical Test			$180
TOTAL Tuition			$32,540

Certified Flight Instructor-Helicopter (TA401)

Directed study and flight instruction in preparation for the FAA Certified Flight Instructor-Helicopter Airman Written Examination, the Fundamentals of Instruction Airman Written Examination, and the Certified Flight Instructor-Helicopter Practical (flight) Examination. The learning process, teaching methods, planning instruction, the student-instructor relationship, techniques of critique and evaluation, instructor privileges and limitations, and Federal Aviation Regulations as they apply to the flight instructor; and flying the commercial pilot manoeuvres from the instructor's seat including touch down autorotation. Pre-requisite: TA208, or Commercial Pilot-Helicopter Certificate. Total instruction hours and tuition costs will vary with individual performance.

Flight Training Costs
Duration			8 weeks
Tutored Instruction $ 50 x 30 hours			$1,500
Directed Self Training Study 120 hours			N/A
Pre- & post-flight briefings $ 50 x 10 hours			$500
Dual Flight Training $210 x 10 hours			$2,100
Dual Flight Advanced (R44) $450 x 5 hours			$2,250
Other Training Expenses
Books, materials, pilot supplies (headset)			$250
FAA Written Tests F.O.I. - I.K. $90 x 2			$180
FAA Practical Check ride (Flight Test Fee)			$500
Helicopter for Practical Test R44			$450
TOTAL Tuition			$7,730

Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument Helicopter (TA402)

Directed study and flight instruction in preparation for the FAA Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument Helicopter Airman Written Examination, and the Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument Helicopter Practical (flight) Examination. Review of all elements of the instrument syllabus; practice teaching of selected items from the instrument syllabus; instrument instructor privileges and limitations, and Federal Aviation Regulations as they apply to the instrument flight instructor; and flying the instrument pilot maneuvers from the instructorÕs seat. Pre-requisite: TA108 and TA109, or Commercial Pilot-Helicopter Certificate with Instrument Rating, and satisfactory completion of the Fundamentals of Instruction Airman Written Examination. Total instruction hours and tuition costs will vary with individual performance.

Informations
Duration			3 weeks
Directed Self-Study (estimate)			60 hours
Tutored Instruction			20 hours
Dual flight instruction			15 hours
Tuition			$5,500

Other Expenses
Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument Airplane Written Examination			$70
Self-Study Materials (estimated)			$200
Examiner Fee, Practical (flight) Examination			$500
Aircraft for Practical Examination			$220

Bell 206 B VFR (RT01)

Insurance requires that the pilot-in-command of turbine powered helicopter attend, every 12 months, an approved Recurrent Training Course. This course refreshes the candidates knowledge of system and performance of the helicopter BELL 206 B series. Special attention will be directed to standardized procedure in normal and emergency operation. Pre-requisites: Private Pilot Rotorcraft Helicopter, initial Turbine Transition attended at Bell school.

Informations
Duration			2 days
Classroom Instruction			16 hours
Simulator dual			2 hours
Aircraft flight dual			3 hours
Tuition			$3,500

Bell 206 B IFR (RT02)

Insurance requires that the pilot-in-command of turbine powered helicopter attend, every 12 months, an approved Recurrent Training Course. This course refreshes the candidates knowledge of system and performance of the helicopter BELL 206 B series. Special attention will be directed to standardized procedure in normal and emergency operation. Emphasis on the instrument procedure with extensive use of FTD will prepare the candidate to operate in safety during IMC conditions. This course is FAA approved as instrument competency check. Pre-requisites: Private Pilot Rotorcraft Helicopter, initial Turbine Transition attended at Bell school.

Informations
Duration			3 days
Classroom Instruction			16 hours
Simulator dual			5 hours
Aircraft flight dual			3 hours
Tuition			$3,900

Bell 206 L VFR (RT03)

Insurance requires that the pilot-in-command of turbine powered helicopter attend, every 12 months, an approved Recurrent Training Course. This course refreshes the candidates knowledge of system and performance of the helicopter BELL 206 B series. Special attention will be directed to standardized procedure in normal and emergency operation. Pre-requisites: Private Pilot Rotorcraft Helicopter, initial Turbine Transition attended at Bell school.

Informations
Duration			2 days
Classroom Instruction			16 hours
Simulator dual			2 hours
Aircraft flight dual			3 hours
Tuition			$4,500

Bell 206 L VFR (RT04)

Insurance requires that the pilot-in-command of turbine powered helicopter attend, every 12 months, an approved Recurrent Training Course. This course refreshes the candidates knowledge of system and performance of the helicopter BELL 206 B series. Special attention will be directed to standardized procedure in normal and emergency operation. Emphasis on the instrument procedure with extensive use of FTD will prepare the candidate to operate in safety during IMC conditions. This course is FAA approved as instrument competency check. Pre-requisites: Private Pilot Rotorcraft Helicopter, initial Turbine Transition attended at Bell school.

Informations
Duration			3 days
Classroom Instruction			16 hours
Simulator dual			5 hours
Aircraft flight dual			3 hours
Tuition			$4,900

Cockpit Resource Management (TA501)

Classroom instruction in the history, principles and application of Cockpit Resource Management as applied to multi-person crew operations in an airline, charter or flight department environment. Principles of personality vs. attitude; hazardous attitudes; interpersonal communications; the ÒCrew Concept;Ó synergism in problem-solving; and analysis of various actual CRM-related accidents. Pre-requisites: TA108 or permission of the Chief Pilot.

Informations
Duration			1 week
Simulator			20 hours
Instruction			20 hours
Tuition			$1,400

Add-On Instrument Rating-Helicopter Flight Training (TA604)

Flight training in preparation for the FAA Instrument Pilot-Helicopter Practical (flight) Examination. Attitude instrument flight maneuvers, full and partial panel; radio navigation; flight planning; radio communications and clearances; takeoff, departure, enroute and terminal operations; weather and weather hazards; cross-country operations; precision and non-precision instrument approaches and procedures; diversion to unplanned alternate; emergency procedures, and preparation for the Practical Examination. Pre-requisite: Private pilot license-Airplane, Private pilot license-Helicopter.

Informations
Duration (may be concurrent with TA104)			2 weeks
Pre- & post-flight briefings			5 hours
Simulator dual (FAA minimums under FAR 141)			5 hours
Aircraft dual (FAA minimums under FAR 141)			15 hours
Tuition			$3,795

Add-On Commercial Pilot-Helicopter Flight Training (TA605)

Flight training in preparation for the FAA Commercial Pilot-Helicopter Practical (flight) Examination. Normal and emergency operations in piston engine helicopter. Maximum performance takeoff and landing and all manoeuvres to commercial standards.

Pre-requisites: Commercial Pilot - Airplane, Meet FAA requirements.

Note: Tuition assumes best-case student performance, i.e. completion of the course to Practical Test standards within the FAA minimum number of hours. Most students do not reach that level with the minimum number of training hours. Additional training is charged by the hour at current rates. The typical student will complete in 70 to 80 hours at a total cost of $ 15000 to $16000, plus incidentals.

Flight Training cost
Duration (may be concurrent with Instrument Ground school TA104) FAA min 35 hrs			2 weeks
Pre- & post-flight briefings 30 hours x $50			$1,500
Simulator dual (FAA minimums under FAR 141) 10 hours x $140			$1,400
Helicopter dual (FAA minimums under FAR 141) 20 hours x $210			$4,200
Solo Flight ( Pilot in Command) 10 hours x $180			$1,800
Dual Flight training ( Pilot in Command) VFR 25 hours x $ 210			$5,250
Other training expenses
Books and material			$100
Insurance deductible			$400
FAA Written Test			N/A
FAA Practical Test ( Check ride)			$400
Helicopter for Practical Test			$180
TOTAL Tuition			$15,230

Orientation mandatory for foreign students (TA001)

Provides support and assistance to non-U.S. students arriving in the U.S. for the first time. Includes airport pick-up, transportation to student housing, registration and processing into student housing, and extensive lecture and documentation on local facilities, customs, recreation, the school, and availability of support services through King Aviation Centers. Pre-requisites: None. Required course for all arriving foreign students.

Informations
Duration (classroom and outside)			few hours
Tuition			$200

English as a second language (ESL) (TA002)

Foreign students arriving in the United States often do not have the English skills necessary to keep up in the ground schools or to communicate clearly with Air Traffic Control. This course provides English instruction designed to provide the non-U.S. student with the language skills required. Addresses vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and accent reduction. Proficiency exam required; students not achieving the minimum required English proficiency will be required to continue this training until minimum proficiency is attained. Pre-requisites: None. May be challenged by demonstrating English proficiency.

Informations
Duration			as needed
Tuition			$30 per hour
Other Expenses
Books			$20

Aero English & Tower-Talk (TA003)

Covers specific vocabulary and phraseology used by Air Traffic Control. Course exercises are designed to aid the understanding, pronunciation and accent elimination in the speech of the student. Taken concurrently with English as a Second Language (ESL), above. Pre-requisites: English proficiency test for non-English speaking countries.

Informations
Duration			as needed
Tuition			$30 per hour
Other Expenses
Books			$20

Private Pilot Ground School (TA101)

Lecture in preparation for Private Pilot Flight Training and for the FAA Private Pilot Airplane and Helicopter Written Examination. Aircraft systems and performance; aerodynamics and flight mechanics; flight planning; pilotage, dead reckoning and radio navigation; meteorology; Federal Aviation Regulations; aviation physiology; human factors; aeronautical decision making; night flight; and emergency procedures. Pre-requisites: Demonstrated English proficiency. Partial credit may be given for students having attended another similar course and passed the Private Pilot Airplane or Helicopter Airman Written Examination.

Informations
Duration			7 weeks
Tuition			$300
Other Expenses
Books/Materials: Jeppesen Private Pilot Kit			$172
Written Examination Fee			$60

Instrument Pilot Ground School (TA104)

Lecture in preparation for instrument flight training and for the FAA Instrument Pilot Airman Written Examination. Human factors of instrument flight; mechanics and failure modes of the instruments; attitude instrument flight maneuvers, full and partial panel; radio navigation; flight planning; radio communications and clearances; takeoff, departure, enroute and terminal operations; weather and weather hazards; cross-country operations; precision and non-precision instrument approaches and procedures; diversion to unplanned alternate; emergency procedures, and preparation for the written. Pre-requisite: TA103.

Informations
Duration (may be concurrent with TA105)			7 weeks
Tuition			$300
Other Expenses
Books/Materials: Jeppesen Private Pilot Kit			$166
Written Examination Fee			$50

Commercial Pilot Ground School (TA106)

Lecture in preparation for Commercial Pilot Flight Training (TA108 and TA208) and the FAA Commercial Pilot-Airplane or Helicopter Airman Written Examination. Aircraft performance; aeronautical charts; pilotage, dead reckoning and radio navigation; aviation physiology; aeronautical decision-making; Federal Aviation Regulations as they apply to commercial operations; advanced meteorology; advanced aircraft systems; high-altitude aerodynamics; aircraft pressurization systems; commercial flight maneuvers; and preparation for the Written Examination. Pre-requisite: TA105 for airplane commercial only.

Informations
Duration (may be concurrent with TA108 or TA208)			7 weeks
Tuition			$300
Other Expenses
Books/Materials: Jeppesen Private Pilot Kit			$160
Written Examination Fee			$60

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