Helicopter Pilot Schools in the U.S.

Editor’s note: The following article is not intended to be a ranking, but is only to serve as a list of possible options. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary.

Throughout the country, there are hundreds of flight schools preparing pilots for rewarding careers. But only a small percentage of these are helicopter pilot schools. If you’re looking to become a rotary-wing pilot, this is a list of 5 helicopter pilot training programs that are a great place to start.

Quicklook: Helicopter Pilot Schools in the U.S.

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Hillsboro Aero Academy
• Corporate Helicopters Flight Training Academy
• Heli Aviation
• University of North Dakota

5 Helicopter Pilot Schools

The flight school you attend to prepare for your helicopter career could make or break your job prospects. Some schools offer job placement resources, while others leave you to find employment on your own. Review these key facts and figures about the top helicopter pilot training schools to learn more.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is one of the oldest and most robust pilot schools in the country. The school has locations in both Florida and Arizona and has been providing high-quality pilot training and bachelor’s degrees since 1926. You’ll find excellent, modern aircraft to help you prepare for your career ahead. You can pursue a fixed-wing or rotary-wing pilot license. 

Location: 3700 Willow Creek Rd, Prescott, AZ 86301 or 1 Aerospace Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Tuition & Fees: Regular tuition and fees without aid cost $39,216. Plan for an additional  $23,000-$33,000 in-flight fees for the first two years and $10,000-$15,000 for the third year. 

Financial Assistance: On average, students receive between $7,000 and $10,000 annually in aid for regular tuition. Students can manage the added fees for flight training with a pay-as-you-go plan.

Accreditation: Yes

Program Length: Because the pilot training goes along with undergraduate education, these are 4-year programs.

Endorsements: Endorsements vary based on the flight school you attend in conjunction with your undergraduate studies.

School Size: 6,400

Job Placement: Yes

Virtual Learning: Yes

Hillsboro Aero Academy

For more than 40 years, Hillsboro Aero Academy has been training airline and helicopter pilots. The school trains pilots from more than 75 countries to achieve their career goals. With career pathway programs, the school is prepared to help students get the job they want.

Location: 3565 NE Cornell Rd., Hillsboro, OR 97124

Tuition & Fees: Commercial pilot certificates average $63,000 but can vary based on the flight hours you need to succeed

Financial Assistance: Pay your balance at the conclusion of each lesson or work with the third-party financing companies that Hillsboro collaborates with.

Accreditation: Yes

Program Length: On average, it takes students 18 months to complete training, though it will vary based on how quickly you accomplish your flight hours

Endorsements: Helicopter

School Size: Hillsboro Aero Academy is a private school that does not disclose its school or class sizes.

Job Placement: Yes

Virtual Learning: No

Corporate Helicopters Flight Training Academy

Corporate Helicopters Flight Training Academy focuses solely on preparing helicopter pilots for flight. You can earn your private or commercial license. Or if you already have a valid commercial airline license, you can study for the helicopter add-on to expand your skills.

Location: 3753 John J. Montgomery Dr., San Diego, CA 92123

Tuition & Fees: Earning your private pilot license costs approximately $14,560. The commercial pilot license costs approximately $29,840. Or, if you already have a valid commercial airline pilot certificate, the add-on for a helicopter license costs $17,080.

Financial Assistance: Finance your education through financial partners.

Accreditation: No

Program Length: On average, it takes students 6-8 months to earn their private pilot license. Becoming a commercial pilot generally takes a minimum of 18 months. 

Endorsements: Helicopter

School Size: Most of the training is done one-on-one in the helicopter with your instructor to provide valuable preparation for your career. The school is smaller as it’s a part of the company’s corporate helicopter management business.

Job Placement: Yes

Virtual Learning: No

Heli Aviation

With locations in Florida and Colorado, you can choose where to earn your helicopter pilot license to best serve your needs and provide the greatest convenience for you. The school focuses on preparing commercial pilots for careers and does so promptly. That way, you make it to a paying job quicker to start making your education valuable to you.

Location: 825 Severn Ave., Tampa, FL 33606 or 11705 Airport Way, Broomfield, CO 80021

Tuition & Fees: Starts at $44,100

Financial Assistance: Save by prepaying the full course

Accreditation: No

Program Length: Graduate in as little as 8-10 weeks

Endorsements: Helicopter

School Size: Heli Aviation is a smaller helicopter pilot school, meaning you’ll get plenty of attention from your instructors throughout your training.

Job Placement: No

Virtual Learning: No

University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota offers a premier helicopter pilot training program. You can earn your commercial, instrument and flight instructor certificates while earning a bachelor’s degree in aviation. During your studies, you’ll fly state-of-the-art aircraft and engage in maintenance training for some of the best helicopters in the country. The school’s instructors are highly experienced to provide a rich learning environment.

Location: 3980 Campus Rd., Stop 9007, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9007

Tuition & Fees: Tuition varies based on whether you live in North Dakota or not. Residents pay $12,153.84 per year while non-residents can expect a tuition of $30,422.88

Financial Assistance: Yes, the average student receives $12,900 per year in financial assistance

Accreditation: Yes

Program Length: Since this is an undergraduate course, it takes 4 years to complete

Endorsements: Helicopter

School Size: Total undergraduate enrollment is 9,796 students

Job Placement: Yes

Virtual Learning: Yes

How Does Helicopter Pilot School Training in the US Work?

There are two kinds of helicopter pilot licenses: private and commercial. To earn money as a helicopter pilot, you’ll need to pursue your commercial pilot license. Once you have it, you can serve in a wide variety of industries from emergency medical services to sightseeing. 

To get started, you’ll need to complete a medical exam with a Federal Aviation Administration-approved physician. This will ensure you’re physically capable of safely operating an aircraft.

Next, you need to choose the right flight school based on your needs and career interests. Setting your career goals now will help you ensure you earn your license from a school recognized in that field, which will make it easier to find a job in that area.

Once you’ve chosen your school, it’s a good idea to discuss financial aid opportunities or look for independent financing outside of what the school provides.

After completing the program, you’ll have your commercial license to begin pursuing work opportunities. 

Working with career services or the job placement team, you can update your resume to prepare for discussing opportunities with potential employers.

Helicopter Pilot School Facts & Figures

Before you start your search for the best helicopter pilot school, learn about what to expect and some key metrics that will help in evaluating each option.

Number of Schools

There are 153 helicopter pilot schools in the US.

Number of Students Per Class

Helicopter pilot schools will have different classroom formats. Some use classroom training sparingly and prefer to complete ground school in small groups in and around the equipment. Others have larger groups for ground school. Inquire about how the ground school portion of the training works with each school.

Tuition Rates

Tuition rates vary based on whether you choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in conjunction with your commercial pilot’s license. The average cost of earning a private license is $13,800 and then an additional $28,500 for a commercial license for a total cost of $42,300.

Average Loan Amount

The average student borrows $29,927 for undergraduate programs. Keep that in mind as you consider whether to pursue a bachelor’s degree in conjunction with your pilot license.

Scholarship

The average scholarship you’ll receive will vary based on the school you attend. Be sure to ask about this before enrolling to ensure the program is affordable for you.

Job Placement

With more than 4,000 jobs for commercial helicopter pilots in the US, your job opportunities should be plentiful after graduation. Ask your chosen school about their job placement resources before enrolling to discover how helpful they’ll be in helping you land your first pilot job.

Helicopter Pilot Employment Facts & Figures

As you consider a helicopter pilot career, learn about these key facts and figures to make an informed decision.

Employment 

Once you graduate with your commercial pilot license, you should have no trouble finding a job. Here’s a look at some of the largest employers for helicopter pilots.

Biggest Employer	Average Salary	Full- or Part-Time Pilots
US Army	$100,299	Full-Time
Air Methods	$76,859	Full-Time
Air Evac Lifeteam	$72,329	Full-Time
United States Federal Government	$72,224	Full-Time
Bristow Group	$88,077	Full-Time

Salary

The average salary for helicopter pilots in the US is $64,708. That’s a monthly salary of $5,392, weekly $1,294, and $32 an hour.

Start Your Pilot Training Today

The sooner you begin your training with one of the best helicopter pilot schools, the sooner you can start your career as a pilot. Review the top options listed above and reach out to a few schools to further evaluate them based on your requirements. Sign up for a FLYING Magazine print and digital subscription today to stay up to date on industry news.

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