Zero to Hero – how to become a professional helicopter pilot (EASA)

Jonny's guide to becoming a helicopter pilot - Want to become a professional EASA helicopter pilot? Jonny Greenall explains the three routes from zero to CPL(H), including integrated and modular training, theory, hour building, medical requirements and the CPL(H) skills test.

Zero to Hero – how to become a professional helicopter pilot (EASA)

One of the most asked questions by potential students.

There’s basically 3 ways to achieve the exalted status of a professional EASA helicopter pilot: military, integrated training or modular training.

Option 1: Join the military!

If you are the best of the best of the best, and pass the extensive aptitude tests, you might end up being a military helicopter pilot. They will teach you above and beyond all the basics of helicopter flight and throw in some exiting “optional extras” as well.

Once your commission is over you can convert your military helicopter licence into a civilian helicopter licence.

The upside it is free, you get to visit weird and wonderful places all over the world, the downside being you might be shot at!

Option 2: Integrated CPL(H)

There are specialised schools, few and far between, where you can join to complete the entire course in one go. Think of it as a university for aviation. You go there for a couple of years and live like a student. The course is broken down into theoretical lessons and flight training.

It is a highly specialised course, and you will be among a group of other students, undergoing the same training.

As it is so intensive you will find classrooms, homework and flight training every week, and set terms, just like university, with theory exams and flight tests.

The upside is that it is less hours than a Modular CPL(H), but the downside is that you need to move away and live on site for that length of time, as well as paying a considerable sum of money in a very short period of time.

For most people who are already working, have family commitments or simply don't want to spend two years living at a flight school, the modular route is likely to be the more practical option.

Option 3: Modular CPL(H)

This is where the road to success (or should I say flight path?) has been broken down into smaller Modules. There are effectively 4 to complete:

Module 1 – the PPL(H)

This is the basic Private Pilots Licence, which gives you the ability to fly helicopters with friends and family, as we call it – a licence to learn! The full details are available here.

Once you have passed and been issued your shiny new licence you can continue the journey.

EASA PPL(H) with Balearic Helicopters

Module 2 - CPL(H) / ATPL(H) Theory

First question – do you want CPL(H) theory, or ATPL(H) theory?

There is a difference! CPL(H) is less learning and less exams, but it means that, if within a few years of becoming a professional helicopter pilot you want to complete an Instrument Rating (IR(H)), then you’ll need to go back to school to do some more theory exams.

ATPL(H) is all the exams, basically CPL(H) plus a bit, and then this means that, further down the line once you have your CPL(H) you do NOT need to go back to school to do some more theory and theory exams prior to any Instrument Rating. Note however, there is a validity date on the ATPL(H) Theory Exams – if you pass this, then you need to retake the relevant exams.

There are several specialist theory schools that can offer Online Distance Learning and practice exams, but the actual examinations will need to be taken at specific locations (there are many around Europe and the world to choose from!).

Module 3 – Hour Building & Flight Experience

Flight Experience, also known as hour building. If you want to get the best out of your hour building read this article.

You need to fly a minimum of 155 hours total time (including your PPL(H)) which includes 50 hours as Pilot in Command of Helicopters, of which at least 10 must be cross country flying.

If you happen to also fly an Airship (you lucky devil)? There’s some credit in that for the minimum flying requirements

Basically, if you hold a pilot’s licence in another type of flying machine, be it PPL or CPL there is some alleviation on the minimum hours required.

Just a note Modules 2 & 3 they are not an official term; it just makes it slightly easier for me to explain. In fact, Module 2 & 3, could just as well be Module 3 & 2… The one thing to note, however, is that Module 2 & 3 can, and should be taken together. This means that you can do some flying and theory at the same time!

Once you have completed all of the above you can then move onto the final Module

Module 4 – the CPL(H)

A ponit to note - you DO NOT need an EASA PPL(H) to start the CPL(H) flight training, if you meet the requirements above, you can start with an ICAO PPL(H)!

This is the Commercial Flight Training course. It usually consists of 35 hours flight training broken down roughly as follows:

10 hours general handling, emergency procedures, advanced handling
10 hours instrument flying
10 hours navigation
5 hours night flying.

I say usually, as, again holding licences in other flying machines, or instrument ratings etc. can give some alleviation on the requirements. But basically, the above is what you need to accomplish.

All the flying is expected to be to a much higher standard and ability than a PPL(H).

The downside to the Modular CPL(H) is that it generally requires more flight hours, so it can be more expensive to complete than an Integrated course. However, because the training is broken down into individual modules, you can train around your own availability, budget and circumstances, without the upheaval and expense of relocating for a prolonged period.

For many people, that flexibility is worth far more than simply looking at the headline course price.

EASA CPL(H) with Balearic Helicopters

EASA Medical

You need an EASA Class 1 to fly commercially, so my recommendation is always it should be the first thing you obtain, before you start any flight training.

Assuming you are as fit as a fiddle, the medical might show something that needs to be fixed before you can start training. It is better to find out before you launch into any expensive flying.

CPL(H) Skills Test

Once everything is completed it is time to be tested by your appointed CPL Flight Examiner. The test comprises of several areas.

There’s an oral test, based on anything and everything aviation related.

You’ll be expected to complete all the flight planning and preparation to CPL standards and regulations including the pre-flight inspection.

The flight itself comprises of several sections. There’s a navigation section, based on map reading and radio navigation, a general handling section, including such things as instrument flying, confined areas and steep turns, and the emergency procedures section, where you’ll be examined on simulated engine failures, practice forced landings and emergency scenarios.

All are expected to be flown to an extremely high standard.

What’s the difference between PPL and CPL?

Many people miss the difference between a PPL and CPL and think it is just a bit higher degree of flying accuracy, it’s not. A CPL isn't simply a PPL with better flying accuracy. It represents a different level of responsibility.

The big difference is that a CPL is carrying fare paying passengers.

A PPL can carry friends and family, and they will be exposed to a degree of risk in the flight, but a CPL is carrying fare paying passengers, this means that the passengers do not understand, and therefore cannot be exposed to, the same level of risk.

This is why there are much great margins of safety for commercial transport than private flying, the risk is required to be reduced, and the pilot must also have a much higher ability in flying.

The important thing to remember is that becoming a professional helicopter pilot is not simply about collecting licences and ticking boxes. The PPL(H), theory, hour building and CPL(H) are all parts of a journey that should progressively develop your knowledge, skills, judgement and experience.

There is no single “best” route for everyone. Your finances, available time, previous flying experience and ultimate career ambitions will all affect which option makes the most sense for you.

My advice? Don't simply look for the cheapest or fastest way to get the licences.

Think about the pilot you want to become when you reach the end of the journey — because that's ultimately far more important than simply having the right pieces of paper in your logbook.

If you're considering becoming a professional helicopter pilot and want to discuss the different routes, we're happy to have an honest conversation about the options, the costs and what might work best for you.

About Jonny

Jonny Greenall is the Head of Training and founder of Balearic Helicopters. With more than 25 years of helicopter flying and training experience and over 9000 hours, he has extensive experience across private, commercial and instructor training.

The views and advice in this article are based on Jonny's experience of helicopter flying and flight training.

Zero to Hero – how to become a professional helicopter pilot (EASA)

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