What is the minimum requirement for the helicopter cpl?

Question

Im about to spend my savings to get helicopter cpl (commercial pilot license). But i couldnt find out what is the age limit to start to learn that. Is there anybody out there, who could help me with information namely:

What is the age limit(if is there any)

Is it problem if im wearing glasses, (-1.75)

Which country is the cheapest to get it. (im living in australia)

here is about 52.000 AUD with the night fly)

I hope i hear lots of good news from you.

cheers

ian

Answer 1

I'm a pilot in the U.S., so I'll cover it from that aspect:

The certificate is the same for rotary or fixed wing.  There is a rating for rotary (See FAR 61.5).

Getting a Private Pilot Certificate with rotary wing rating is going to be more expensive, due to cost of the aircraft (renting it).  I'd say close to twice as much for rotary as fixed.

The requirements (I think) for flight time, medical, age, etc., are the same for both.  There is a different practical test for the rotary rating.

Minimum age is 16 for student pilot, 17 for private pilot certificate.  Your medical serves as your student certificate.

Answer 2

Many of your questions can be answered on the website of the Australian aviation authority:

http://www.casa.gov.au/

For age limits I am assuming that it is the same for both airplanes and helicopters. If that is the case, you can get your private at 17, commercial at 18, and airline transport at 21. Look here:

http://www.casa.gov.au/fcl/licenrat.htm

You can read in detail about the vision requirements. Note that they do permit your vision to be corrected by glasses. Take a look here (PDF file):

http://www.casa.gov.au/manuals/regulate/...

I am not sure which country is the cheapest. I do know that Europe is very expensive, and many Europeans come to the US for training. In the US, completing helicopter training will usually cost about $60,000 USD if you want to fly for a career. I think that is about the same, or even a little more, than you gave. Even if the US were cheaper, the living and travel expense, and the hassles of visas would make it more efficient to train at home. If that 52,000 figure is accurate, and you plan to fly in Australia, then I would recommend training there. Don't forget that cost estimates given by flight schools often do not include extra expenses like books, supplies, or exam fees. Double check the figures before you start.

Please also be careful when people advise you to fly airplanes first to save money. There is nothing wrong with flying both and many people do, but if you really want to fly helicopters, I recommend going straight for helicopters as the most efficient path. This is based on the US requirements for additional ratings, so check the requirements yourself to see which way is most efficient.

Here are several useful pages from your aviation authority's website. Spend some time browsing them.

Medical Certification

http://www.casa.gov.au/avmed/faq_med.htm

http://www.casa.gov.au/avmed/medreq.htm

http://www.casa.gov.au/manuals/regulate/...

Learning to Fly

http://www.casa.gov.au/fcl/learntofly.ht...

http://www.casa.gov.au/pilots/pilot.htm

http://www.casa.gov.au/pilots/guides.htm

http://www.casa.gov.au/fcl/stages.htm

Training Syllabus

http://www.casa.gov.au/fcl/vfrday.htm

If you choose to train abroad:

http://www.casa.gov.au/fcl/overbr.htm

For more information about the helicopter industry in general, visit the following sites:

http://www.verticalreference.com/

http://www.justhelicopters.com/home/defa...

http://www.helicopterflight.net/

You can read one of my other answers about training in general here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Good luck and have fun!