| While deciding on a helicopter flight school | | | | For a helicopter flight school to insure the |
| you will probably hear people talk about | | | | quality of training and to retain FAA |
| flight schools operating under part 141 or | | | | Approval, they must maintain at least an 80% |
| part 61. Which one is best and how do I | | | | first time pass rate for all graduates on FAA |
| decide which one to choose? | | | | Flight Tests and the examining authority must |
| | | | have a pass rate of 90%. |
| A flight school operating under part 141 | | | | |
| designation means that the school must follow | | | | If you are coming to the USA from overseas |
| a syllabus approved by the FAA. The Chief | | | | you will need to find a helicopter flight |
| Flight Instructor and Assistant Chief Flight | | | | school which can offer training under part |
| Instructor must take annual check rides with | | | | 141 as these are the only schools that can |
| the local FAA Examiner. It also means that | | | | offer you a visa. One of the requirements to |
| the performance of students is measured | | | | enroll in a part 141 school is, you need to |
| through progressive flight exams through out | | | | provide evidence of your highest level of |
| their training. Regular and random FAA | | | | education. |
| inspections of school facilities, aircraft, | | | | |
| simulators and training devices, as well as | | | | Part 61 is simply being trained to the |
| student training records, and instructor | | | | standards outlined in the Federal Aviation |
| records. Also, if you decide you want to move | | | | Regulations. It states what areas of |
| to another school operating under the part | | | | operation and topics to be covered, including |
| 141 during your training you can transfer | | | | the minimum number of hours required for each |
| your records to the new school. I would | | | | area. All flight schools can offer training |
| strongly recommend you choose a part 141 | | | | under Part 61 without obtaining special FAA |
| School as you will be trained to the highest | | | | approval. However, they must comply with the |
| possible standards in well maintained | | | | statutory requirements under the CFR (code of |
| aircraft. | | | | Federal regulations) and train pilots to the |
| | | | standards of Part 61. Overall the 141 program |
| You will be required to complete a minimum | | | | is a better choice for the student helicopter |
| number of ground school hours. | | | | pilot. |
| | | | |
| You will have a phase check before you go | | | | If you can afford it, I would recommend a |
| solo, before private check ride, Commercial | | | | full time helicopter training course. This |
| check ride and any other check ride that you | | | | ensures that you do not have to re-learn |
| have been trained for under the schools part | | | | skills lost during the intervals between your |
| 141 syllabus. A phase check is a simulated | | | | lessons. If you intend to become a commercial |
| check ride with a senior instructor and | | | | helicopter pilot you will have to give up |
| consists of an oral examination and a flight | | | | your day job to spend about eight months to a |
| test. This will ensure that you are ready for | | | | year in school. It is possible to complete |
| your check ride. | | | | part time but it will take you a lot longer. |
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