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Is Flight Training Right For You?

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Helicopter Pilot Add-Ons

IS HELICOPTER FLIGHT TRAINING RIGHT FOR YOU?

TAKE THE TAMPA BAY AVIATION “FLIGHT TRAINING READINESS QUIZ”

PRIVATE PILOT ADD ON

A fixed-wing private pilot seeking to add on a private helicopter rating is required to obtain a minimum of 30 hours rotorcraft flight training; 20 hours dual and 10 hours solo. Not an FAA part 141 approved course.

ROBINSON R22 BETA

$ 10,300
  • Aircraft Rental* (30 hours)
  • Instruction (30 hours)
  • FAA Check Ride (paid to examiner)

ROBINSON R22 BETA II

$ 11,050
  • Aircraft Rental* (30 hours)
  • Instruction (30 hours)
  • FAA Check Ride (paid to examiner)

ROBINSON R44 RAVEN II

$ 18,250
  • Aircraft Rental* (30 hours)
  • Instruction (30 hours)
  • FAA Check Ride (paid to examiner)

INSTRUMENT PILOT ADD ON

Requirements to obtain an instrument add on include: a private pilot certificate of the same category/class (rotorcraft/helicopter) and instrument certificate of a separate category (fixed wing). Minimum hours required are 40 hours actual/simulated instrument time, 50 hours PIC cross country time 10 of which must be helicopter. With these requirements met, a pilot will need an additional 15 hours of dual instruction. Not an FAA part 141 approved course.

ROBINSON R44

$ 9,475
  • Aircraft Rental* (15 hours)
  • Instruction (15 hours)
  • FAA Check Ride (paid to examiner)

COMMERCIAL PILOT ADD ON

Using our FAA approved part 141 Commercial Helicopter Add-on Syllabus, commercial rated fixed-wing pilots who wish to add a commercial pilot certificate helicopter to their CPL certificate can do it in as little as 30 hours of flight time and 20 hours of ground.

A helicopter instrument rating is not required, however 5 hours of instrument training in a helicopter is required as part of our part 141 Commercial Helicopter Add-on Syllabus. 

ROBINSON R22

$ 11,600
  • Aircraft Rental* (30 hours)
  • Dual Flight Instruction (30 hours)
  • 20 Hours Ground Instruction
  • FAA Check Ride (paid to examiner)

ROBINSON R44 RAVEN II

$ 19,550
  • Aircraft Rental* (30 hours)
  • Dual Flight Instruction (30 hours)
  • 20 Hours Ground Instruction
  • FAA Check Ride (paid to examiner)

What Others Are Saying

“I absolutely CANNOT say enough good things about this operation! Just got my CFI from them, and had fun doing it (which I’m told is not a common phenomenon). It took minimal time, and the cost was about what you’d expect to pay at American Flyers, or ATP for CFI. However, the quality of training you will receive here will far exceed the standard of the “pilot mills”. Larry was my primary instructor but I also flew with Josh, Durant and Mike, all of whom were very knowledgeable and professional (in addition being “down to earth”, and cool). Look no further than these guys for all of your flight training needs! They’re awesome!!!” - Damian W.
“Known to be one of the best Part 61 Flight Schools for a reason! Tampa Bay Aviation, headquartered at Clearwater Airpark boasts an amazing fleet of fixed wing and rotor craft aircraft, that are always kept in excellent condition and ready to fly at a moments notice. This flight school has the best team of Certified Flight Instructor’s I have ever trained with. Taking into account the excellent rental rates for quality aircraft, with highly experienced staff, it is truly safe to say Tampa Bay Aviation is one of the top Flight Schools in the nation!” ~ Jose A.
“Tampa Bay Aviation is an excellent operation. My son did his flight training here last summer and earned his Private Pilot License, and it inspired me to learn to fly as well. The instructors are excellent, the aircraft are up to date and the staff is friendly and helpful. We have recommended them to several friends and they have had excellent experiences as well. Overall, it is a great place to fly. i HIGHLY recommend it!” - Eric M.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Private Pilot Add On/Instrument Pilot Add On

  • Be at least 17 years old.
  • Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language.
  • Pass a required oral and practical flight test administered by a FAA designated examiner.
  • Hold at least a private pilot ASEL certificate.
  • Hold at least a Third Class Medical Certificate.

 

Commercial Pilot Add On

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language.
  • Pass a required knowledge test.
  • Pass a required oral and practical flight test administered by a FAA designated examiner.
  • Hold at least a commercial pilot ASEL certificate.
  • Hold at least a second class medical.

Private Pilot Add On
IN THE AIR- A minimum of 20 hours of dual and 10 hours solo.

Instrument Pilot Add On
IN THE AIR- A minimum of 15 hours of flight instruction.

Commercial Pilot Add On
IN THE AIR – Our 141 commercial transition program is designed to get you from airplane commercial to helicopter commercial in a minimum of 30 hours.

TIMELINE- The more frequently you fly, the faster you will complete your training. Our schedule is flexible and is one on one with an instructor. This means that you are able to build your own schedule and go at your own pace. We suggest flying 2-3 times per week.

The price will vary greatly on what you fly and how long it takes you to complete each rating. Our aircraft range from $130/hour to $335/hour depending on the model and avionics. There is no set price for training since it all depends on how long it takes each individual person. The above price breakdowns are based on the minimum number of hours, so it will most likely not reflect the actual price.

We suggest flying a minimum of 2-3 times a week in order to progress through your training efficiently. Our schedule allows for a customize-able schedule which allows you to choose your own class times and pace! 

We have a couple of different payment options available!

PAY AS YOU GO- This option allows you to pay after each lesson. The lesson prices will vary depending on what you work on each day and how long you are in the plane/with your instructor.

BLOCK RATES- Our block rates allow you to put money down on your account via cash or check to receive a discount on the hourly rate of the aircraft. We will draw from your deposit each time you fly and let you know when you are running low.

FINANCING- We work with Flight Training Finance, We Florida Financial, and Stratus Financial to help finance your training. Get more information on these companies here.

To be an airline pilot you will need to hold an Airline Transport Pilot rating, however there are a few steps to take before you get there! 
Below we have outlined the most common way that we see people reach their airline pilot goals!

PRIVATE- First you will need to get your private pilot license. This allows you to rent an aircraft and go fly when the weather is looking good! 

INSTRUMENT- After your private pilot rating you will get your instrument rating. This adds on an extra level of safety by teaching you how to fly in in-climate weather  and through clouds with no reference to the ground. During your instrument rating you will also learn how to fly on a flight plan and shoot approaches to an airport in low visibility situations! 

COMMERCIAL- The next step is to get your commercial rating. This rating allows you to fly for hire, however you will not have enough time or experience to be able to go fly for the airlines yet. At this point you will have about 250 hours worth of flight time.

CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR- Your flight instructor rating allows you to teach others how to fly while building your hours toward the airline minimums (1500 hours). 

AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT- After building up your time as a flight instructor, you can get hired on by an airline that will then pay for your airline transport pilot ratings and give you a type rating in the aircraft that they fly. You will need 25 hours of multi engine time prior to being hired on at the airlines which most people acquire either after their commercial as an add on rating or as a flight instructor in a multi engine aircraft. 

Questions About Flight Training?

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