Add-On Certificates and Ratings

If you are an airplane pilot and would like a helicopter certificate, you do not need a written test for the Private, Instrument or Commercial add-on. The hour requirements are less, and since you are already a pilot, less ground school is needed.

Most of our add-on pilots complete their certificates/ratings within the FAA minimums, although this varies from student to student. The costs listed are based on FAA minimums.

Private Add-On

You need a minimum of 30 hours in a helicopter to obtain the Private add-on certificate. FAA requires 10 of these to be solo, the remaining twenty dual instruction.

Commercial Add-On

FAA requirements are 150 hours total time. 50 of these hours must be in a helicopter. Of these 50 hours, 35 must be Pilot-in-Command (PIC). We recommend starting with the Private and getting the 10 hours PIC. Any additional time afer that is logged as PIC.

Instrument Add-On

FAA requirements are 15 hours of Instrument training. If you are current and comfortable flying IFR in an airplane, 15 hours is reasonable to complete this program.

ATP Add-On

The FAA minimums for a helicopter ATP add-on are:

1,200 hours total time
500 hours cross country
100 hours at night (15 of those must be in a helicopter)
200 hours in helicopters (75 hours Pilot-in-Command)
75 hours actual or simulated instrument (50 hours must be in an aircraft, of those 25 must be in a helicopter)

The main helicopter requirement is 200 hours, of which 25 must be actual/simulated instrument time, and 15 at night.

The cost of the ATP Add-On will depend on the hours you need in a helicopter to meet the above requirements. Budget your flight time at $320 per hour dual instruction if you need less than 25 hours, $300 dual instruction for 25 or more hours. Add $400 for your checkride.

About Our Rates

We do not require full payment up front for the certificate/rating you choose. You may "pay as you go" if that is your preference. We do, however, offer discounted rates for flight time packages of 25 hours and 50 hours. Pre-payment is required if you wish to purchase a discounted rates package. If you do not use all the hours purchased, a refund will be issued based on flight hours multiplied by full rate.

• $300 per hour Dual Instruction. Payment of $7,500 required up front to purchase this discounted rate for 25 hours.
• $300 per hour Dual Instruction plus All American Helicopters will pay the cost of one written exam.   Payment of $15,000 required in advance to purchase this discounted rate for 50 hours.
• $320 per hour Dual Instruction is the "pay as you go" standard rate.
• $50 per hour Ground Instruction.
• $270 per hour Solo.

Still have questions? Contact us now for more info.

Note: All prices are subject to change without notice. The prices listed above are only estimates - each person's situation will be different. Call or email for a more accurate estimate.