Helicopter flying away towards snowy mountains.

Add-On Ratings for Current Pilots

For the student who has a Private Pilot Certificate with Airplane Rating and wishes to add a Rotorcraft Rating to that Certificate. A Private Pilot Certificate allows the pilot to fly for recreation with or without passengers and to share operating expenses with them, but does not allow the pilot to conduct flights for compensation or hire.

Admission Requirements

A student must have a FAA Private Pilot Certificate and hold a valid second-class medical certificate from a Federal Aviation Administration approved physician. A student must be 17 years of age and be able to read, speak, write and understand English.

Length of Program:

This program runs approximately two months. Lengths of programs are based on a four-day-a-week schedule.

Program Minimums

Varies per student based on frequency of flying.

Private Pilot Add-On / Part 61 Minimum

  • 40 hours total flight time, including:
    • 20 hours dual
    • 10 hours solo

Private Pilot Add-On / Part 141 AH Curriculum Minimum

  • 31 hours ground instruction
  • 48.2 hours dual

As an already rated pilot with aviation experience, in order to achieve this add-on you will study and fly to gain an understanding of the principles of helicopter flight. Airport knowledge will expand to include operating a helicopter and the new aspect of your interaction with ATC. As proficiency using the flight controls is built, you will master the hover and learn to understand how crosswinds affect a helicopter. You will review helicopter components, manuals as well as helicopter performance and experience the joy of learning another part from the FAR/AIM. Basic and advanced maneuvers will be covered followed by off-airport operations. When the check ride is passed, you will be a dual rated pilot!

For the student who is already instrument rated and wishes to add an instrument rating to their helicopter certificate. Corporate flight departments often prefer dual rated pilots, making this a very popular program.

Admission Requirements

A student must have a FAA Private Pilot Helicopter Certificate, along with an instrument rating on their airplane certificate. They must also hold a valid third-class medical certificate from a Federal Aviation Administration approved physician.

Length of Program

This program runs approximately three months for full time students. Lengths of programs are based on a four day a week schedule.

Program Minimums

Varies per student based on frequency of flying.

Instrument Add-On / Part 61 Minimum

  • 50 hours XC PIC (Pilot in Command), including:
    • 10 hours XC in a helicopter
  • 40 hours actual or simulated instrument training, including:
    • 15 hours dual instruction with Alyeska Helicopters CFII

The purpose of this instruction is to expand your knowledge to be able to competently utilize a helicopter instrument panel. While you will already have experience using IFR and VFR charts, you will need to understand how they are used in a helicopter. Attention will be focused on interpreting previous approach and navigation experience into smooth helicopter maneuvers. You will learn to recognize the factors related to effective decision making to plan a successful IFR flight. You will plan and then conduct a cross country IFR flight. Weather will also play a large role in obtaining this add-on. Understanding how various weather patterns interact with a helicopter will be vital to successful IFR flights. When sufficient knowledge and skills are demonstrated to the instructor, you will take the check ride to attain your Instrument Rating Add-On.

Designed for the student seeking a career as a commercial pilot. The student holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Airplane Rating and wishes to add a Rotorcraft Rating to that Certificate. Corporate flight departments often prefer dual rated pilots, making this a very popular program.

Admission Requirements

A student must have a FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate and hold a valid second-class medical certificate from a Federal Aviation Administration approved physician. The student must be at least 18 years of age and be able to read, speak, write and understand English.

Length of Program

This program runs approximately three months for full time students. Lengths of programs are based on a four day a week schedule.

Program Minimums

Varies per student based on frequency of flying.

Commercial Pilot Certificate Add-On / Part 61 Minimum

  • 150 hours as a pilot, including: 
    • 100 hours in a powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in a helicopter 
  • 100 hours as PIC (Pilot in Command), including: 
    • 35 hours in helicopter 

Commercial Pilot Certificate Add-On / Part 141 AH Curriculum Minimum

  • 25 hours ground instruction
  • 40 hours total flight time, including: 
    • 5 hours dual in R-44
    • 35 hours in R22

The Commercial Add-On is very similar to the Commercial Helicopter Certificate, minus the required flight hours that need to be built. Subjects that were touched on during the private add-on will be expanded upon. You will review airspaces, advanced helicopter operations and go over pinnacles and confined area operations to increase competency on maneuvers that were previously taught. Various commercial pilot elements will be introduced and you will need to demonstrate response capabilities in simulated emergencies. Running commercial operations in a helicopter is very different from fixed wing operations, thus their individual characteristics will be emphasized prior to taking the check ride to receive your Commercial Add-On.

For the student who holds a fixed-wing CFI Rating and wishes to add a Rotorcraft Rating to that Certificate. A Flight Instructor Certificate allows a pilot to give flight instruction and endorse the logbook of pilots in training. This syllabus will allow the experienced instructor to teach students/pilots in helicopters.

Admission Requirements

A student must have both a FAA Certificated Flight Instructor and Commercial Helicopter Certificate. They must also hold a valid second-class medical certificate from a Federal Aviation Administration approved physician. The student must be at least 18 years of age prior to the practical test.

Length of Program

This program runs approximately three months for full time students. Lengths of programs are based on a four day a week schedule.

Program Minimums

Varies per student based on frequency of flying.

CFI Add-On / Part 61 Minimum

  • 15 hours in a helicopter as Pilot in Command 

Now that the necessary helicopter experience is there, you get to be the instructor again. You will occupy to the instructor’s position and demonstrate the capabilities of instructional flight for all maneuvers and the ability to evaluate a student’s flight skills. Majority of your time spent in the helicopter will be giving mock lessons to your instructor. You will need to demonstrate your teaching proficiency in specific tasks as outlined in the FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS). Basic and advanced flight maneuvers, autorotations and touch-downs are just some of the things that you will need to be able to demonstrate that you can instruct to another. Cohesive lesson plans and competent execution of said plans are to be presented to the instructor. Once your instructor feels you are ready, you’ll take a practical exam in order to receive your CFII certificate.

To teach in the Robinson R-22/44, applicant must have at least 50 hours in the R-22/44 helicopter (in the R-44, 1/2 could come from the R-22) with a total of 200 total hours in helicopters.

This program is designed for the student who already holds a CFII (fixed-wing) Certificate and wishes to add a Rotorcraft Rating to that Certificate. The syllabus will teach rotorcraft instruction with instrumentation. The more discerning employer will pick the potential employee with this rating, as it allows them to teach both VFR and IFR courses. The student will expand their situational awareness and ability to compensate for lack of ideal meteorological conditions. It is a very lucrative program to pursue as many employers require this rating.

Admission Requirements

A student must have both a FAA Certificated Flight Instructor Instrument and Commercial Helicopter Certificate as well as hold a valid third-class medical certificate from a Federal Aviation Administration approved physician.

Length of Program

This program runs approximately three months for full time students. Lengths of programs are based on a four day a week schedule.

Program Minimums

Varies per student based on frequency of flying.

CFII Add-On / Part 61 Minimum

  • 15 hours in a helicopter as Pilot in Command 

A deeper understanding of IFR flight will be imparted along with the various navigation techniques and maneuvers. Demonstration of a substantial understanding of the airport environment and situational awareness while performing approaches and orientation exercises will be required. You will need to indicate that you are capable of instructing how to interpret the numerous reports and forecasts as well as any weather publications necessary when IFR is involved. Review of instrument maneuvers and planning cross-country IFR flights with students is one of the last things that needs to be accomplished. Cohesive lesson plans and competent execution of said plans are to be presented to the instructor. You will need to demonstrate your teaching proficiency in specific tasks as outlined in the FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS). Once your instructor feels you are ready, you’ll take a practical exam in order to receive your CFII certificate.

To teach in the Robinson R-44, applicant must have at least 50 hours in the R-44 (1/2 of which could come from R-22) and 200 total helicopter hours.