1. Private Pilot Helicopter
   
   • 30 hours helicopter (with instructor) 7,800.-
   • 10 hours helicopter (solo) 2,250.-
   • Ground instruction incl. books and material 1,000.-
   • FAA written test 100.-
   • FAA practical and oral test inc. helicopter 700.-
   • Aviation medical examination 120.-
   • Total US$ 11,970.-
   
   
2. Commercial Helicopter Pilot (incl. Private Pilot without IFR training)
   
   • 100 hours helicopter (with instructor) 26,000.-
   • 50 hours helicopter (solo) 11,250.-
   • Ground instruction incl. books and material 1,200.-
   • FAA written test 200.-
   • 2x FAA practical and oral test inc. helicopter 1,200.- (Private and Commercial test)
   • Aviation medical examination 120.-
   • Total US$ 39,970.-

These prices are based on the minimum requirement set by the FAA (US Federal Aviation Administration) and are only a guide-line for your financial planning. For a Private License you probably have to do approximately 10 to 20 additional hours with an instructor than the minimum requirement specifies. The 150 hours for the Commercial License is more than adequate and also can be used to prepare you for a flight instructors certificate. Thus the additional cost of becoming a flight instructor straight after your Commercial License is only going to be approximately US$ 1000. If you include a helicopter instrument rating (IFR) during your initial commercial pilot training the additional cost will be approximately US$ 3,000. Should you already have some flying experience I would be quite happy to prepare an individual estimate of your training costs.
Registration with the Transport Security Administration (TSA) may be required. The fees are typically US$ 130.-

Peter Stähli