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