The Finance of Helicopter Flight Training

So you’re thinking of joining an exciting and oftentimes thrilling industry by becoming a professional helicopter pilot.

The first things you’re probably wondering are “how much does it cost to become a helicopter pilot,” “what training is necessary to become a pilot,” and “how much money does a helicopter pilot earn?”

Just like any higher educational institution or trade school, professional helicopter flight training comes with its share of costs. Financing can be challenging to obtain, oftentimes requiring a combination of sources of funding. While it may be expensive, there are a lot of options for funding your training.

Financing offered through flight programs, scholarships, personal loans, aviation student loans, universities, organizations, GI Bill/VA Benefits, or the military can help lower or eliminate the financial barrier to entry. If you’re passionate about becoming a helicopter pilot, you’ll be interested to know that this can be a rewarding career path, both financially and personally.

Helicopter flight training costs and pay scale

The first step to pursuing your pilot dreams is to get the right information about the cost of attending a two-year helicopter flight school. The cost of becoming a helicopter pilot is steep, but your chances of earning an amazing salary increase with more certifications, logging more flight time, and establishing your career. This guide will help you to understand the different types of helicopter pilot licenses and the costs associated with each. You’ll also learn about the potential for professional advancement and salary expectations.

Helicopter pilot license and training cost

Let’s face it, helicopter pilot training costs can be expensive for most of you, but don’t let that intimidate you. The costs are justified, as they cover the cost of renting a helicopter, the instructor's time, safety compliance, and exam costs. Entrance fees can depend on which programs you choose, the license you’re hoping to obtain, and if there are any degree requirements.

Below you will see, clearly laid out, the types of licenses and their associated expenses, to help you make well-informed decisions about your future as a helicopter pilot. Hopefully, this will clear up any of your questions about helicopter training costs. These expenses are estimated as pilot training prices can vary over time, the type of school you attend (either university-associated or direct certification), and/or which part of the country you attend pilot training.

Helicopter private pilot license

This license enables a pilot to fly for leisure, while not accepting payments. These pilots will typically fly around friends and family. Because this is the foundation of all other licenses, all potential commercial pilots must start here. The price of training for this license can range from $20,000 to $60,000; depending on the school, accreditation, and location.

Helicopter instrument license

Although not required to be a commercial pilot; an instrument rating has the added benefit of making you more marketable, once you’ve entered the job market. Being able to fly with limited to zero visibility makes you a safer and more skillful pilot. To gain an instrument rating, you’ll be required to attain a private pilot license, and pay somewhere in the range of $35,000 to $50,000.

Helicopter commercial pilot license

A commercial pilot license enables you to work professionally as a pilot. This is when you can join the workforce, and accept payments from customers. To get this license, you’ll need a private pilot license and pay, on average, around $35,000.

Helicopter CFI and CFII cost

Having a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating means you can become a paid or salaried instructor. This is the typical path forward for a lot of commercial pilots, as it enables you to gain more flight time, propelling your career even faster.

With the Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) rating, you get all the benefits afforded to those pilots holding a CFI rating. You’ll also be able to instruct other pilots seeking the instrument rating. This rating requires you to hold a private license, instrument rating, commercial license, and a certified flight instructor rating.

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and Certified Flight Instructor (CFII) Instrument ratings can cost between $25,000 and $40,000 to obtain.

Flight training total cost

Depending on how far you want to go with your training, the cost can add up rather quickly. It’s important to identify the path you want to take to becoming a helicopter pilot when you enroll. Don’t be afraid to research and reach out to helicopter training organizations to help guide you on your pathway to becoming a pilot. The more information you have, the better you can make decisions about the programs that are best for you.

If we are to map out a direct path towards the highest accreditation, from private pilot license to certified flight instructor instrument rating; you’ll be required to take every training course available. Suppose we found and tallied the best prices available, the cost would be around $115,000. On the other end, you’re likely to spend approximately $185,000. As you can see the cost can vary dramatically based on a variety of factors such as the school, type of accreditation, and location.

Consider that not all licenses and ratings are mandatory to become a commercial pilot, but having them will benefit you and your salary prospects when looking for well-paying employment. Becoming more marketable through experience and acquiring additional certifications will open doors to a lot more opportunities.

For any clarification about the requirements of any of the licenses, courses, or financing; you can check out Lake Superior Helicopter’s student checklist.

Financial outlook

The demand for professional helicopter pilots has never been higher, making way for more entry-level jobs and fast professional mobility. It’s easier than ever to find gainful employment and gain the experience needed to find the more lucrative opportunities out there. While this holds true, you should be aware that in this profession, much like others, salaries depend on many factors. Salary and responsibilities depend on factors such as certifications, education, skills, and seniority within the field.

Some industries where professional pilots are in demand include (but are not limited to) instructors, firefighting, emergency medical services (EMS), offshore/utilities, electronic news gathering, agriculture, law enforcement, and law enforcement. As you can see, there are a variety of industries requiring helicopter pilots. It’s easy to build experience and, within a few years, be able to pay down your loans; while employed in the profession of your dreams.

Entry level pay

As with any career, it’s important to gain experience, and that often requires starting at the bottom, unfortunately. Oftentimes, new pilots will work in entry-level positions as instructors or tour pilots. These kinds of jobs do not offer a lot in the way of salaries, but they do allow pilots to log flight hours and gain experience. Not to fret, helicopter pilots are in such high demand as of late that landing a job should not be an issue for anyone fresh out of training.

According to hired.com, the median salary of a helicopter pilot is approximately $101,192, with average salaries falling in the range of $85,820 to $130,105. Depending on where you live and the cost of living there, salaries can vary widely by city and state. The top three states, when it comes to helicopter pilot salaries include Washington, New York, and California. Exercise caution and do your research when job seeking, especially for jobs that require relocation.

Experienced pilot roles

There are a lot of factors that can affect your salary, including certifications, education, skills, and seniority in the field. Becoming an experienced pilot is the key to having your pick of the litter when it comes to highly sought-after jobs, gaining negotiating power, and earning a six-figure salary.

According to salary.com, as of August 29, 2022, the median income for a Chief Helicopter Pilot was $165,290 a year. The average salaries typically fall in the range of $146,028 and $206,605 per year. This earning potential can greatly justify your initial investment.

The final tally

While it is expensive to become a professional helicopter pilot, the career and earnings potential within the industry can quickly offset your upfront costs. While it is easy to advance within the industry, increase your earning power, and pay off any personal loans, there are ways to subsidize your initial costs. Some or all of the burdens of financing can be mitigated by way of loans and possible past accredited experience.

It’s important to explore all of your options when considering a helicopter flight school. Choosing the licenses and rating pathways that help you gain the most experience and your foot in the door can have a big impact on your ability to progress at the rate that most benefits you.

The demand in the industry is getting greater by the day, as Vietnam veterans are retiring en masse. Right now, more instructors and pilots are leaving the industry than are entering it, creating a void that needs to be filled. This creates a huge demand for instructors, causing prices to go up and making the barrier to entry even greater.

Don’t let that discourage you from entering into an exciting, unique, one-of-a-kind pilot profession with limitless possibilities. With the rise in demand, you’ll be able to gain experience quickly, improving your chances of landing your dream job.

Becoming a pilot is not only an investment in yourself and your career, but for many, it’s a dream come true. It’s an exciting and highly demanding profession to be in, with tons of room for growth and advancement.

Lake Superior Helicopters understands these demands and can offer you all of the guidance necessary to fulfill your dream of becoming a pilot. Along with providing professional services and tours, they can meet all of your training needs. Learn more about Lake Superior Helicopter’s training resources and student checklist by visiting this page.