Professional Pilot Program

Educational Objective: 
Alyeska Helicopters Professional Pilot Program is for individuals interested in pursuing a career as a professional helicopter pilot. This program is designed to maximize employment opportunities for the graduate. It brings the student from Private to Commercial Pilot to Certified Flight Instructor. The Flight Instructor Certificate gives the pilot the chance to build the necessary flight time most major helicopter operators require.
Admission Requirements: 
A student must be 17 years of age and be able to read, speak, write and understand English. Before solo flight, the student must hold a valid third-class medical certificate from a Federal Aviation Administration approved physician. The student must be at least 18 years of age prior to the Commercial helicopter practical test.
Length of Program: 
This program runs approximately nine months.
Program Content: 
Robinson R-22: 190 hours total Robinson R-44: 10 hours total (optional) Ground Instruction: 60 hours total
Subject Areas: 

Ground Instruction               60 Hours

40h Private/Commercial: helicopter components, systems, instruments, basic aerodynamics, aviation weather, flight computer, weight-and balance, cross-country planning, Aeronautical Information Manual, VFR Charts, navigational plotter, radio navigation, cross-country planning, human factors, FAA regulations, Airports, heliports.

10h Instrument: instrument navigation, approaches, clearance procedures, emergency procedures.

10h CFI: fundamentals of instruction, learning process, teaching process, student evaluation and testing, course development, lesson planning and classroom, training techniques, review technical subject areas.

Flight Instruction                  200 Hours

30h Private Dual: basic procedures and flight maneuvers, pre-solo instruction, night and cross country flying, night solo, test preparation, Class B, C and D airspace flying.

10h Private Solo: 7h solo local, 3h solo cross-country

20h Commercial Dual: instrument flying, advanced maneuvers, night and cross-country flying.

80h Commercial Solo/PIC: 5h night and cross-country flying.

10h Instrument: victor airways, tracking and intercepting, holding, departure and approach procedures.

20h Flight Instructor: familiarize flying in the instructor's seat; review all flight maneuvers, advanced emergency procedures.

30h advanced flight training further preparing the student for a career in the aviation industry. 

Program Cost: 
  • Dual Instruction  110h @ $280                 $30,800.00 
  • Solo    90h @ $240.00                              $21,600.00
  • Ground Instruction  60h @ $40.00            $2,400.00 
  • Written Test   4 @ $95.00                         $380.00 
  • Flight Test   3 @ $400.00                          $1,200.00 
  • Books & Supplies                                      $300.00 
  • PROGRAM TOTAL                                    $56,680.00*
Additional Notes: 
  • Program cost estimated, based on a minimum amount of hours required for this rating by the FAA.
  • The flight test fees are not paid from funds deposited with Alyeska Helicopters.  Therefore, funds in reserve for the flight test should not be deposited with Alyeska Helicopters.