Here’s a punchy, step‑by‑step recap of “8 Helicopter Pilot Licenses in 8 Minutes (Don’t Get the Wrong One!)”:
Student Pilot Certificate
Who & When: Any aspiring rotorcraft pilot (minimum age 16 to solo).
What It Gets You: Solo flight under your instructor’s endorsement—but nothing beyond a practice solo.
Recreational Pilot Certificate
Prereqs: 30 hours of training (including 15 hrs dual, 3 hrs solo); age 17.
Limitations: Day‑VFR only, max 50 NM from home base, one passenger, no airways or complex ops.
Private Pilot Certificate (Helicopter)
Prereqs: 40 hours total time (20 dual, 10 solo), written & practical tests; age 17.
Privileges: Fly anywhere in VFR, carry passengers (but no compensation), share operating costs.
Instrument Rating (Helicopter)
Prereqs: Hold a private (or commercial) helicopter license, 40 hrs of instrument training.
Privileges: Legal flight in IMC—fly IFR in clouds, on published approaches, in controlled airspace.
Commercial Pilot Certificate (Helicopter)
Prereqs: 150 hours total (including 100 PIC), written & practical exams; age 18.
Privileges: Act as PIC for hire or reward—air tours, charters, aerial work and other paid ops.
Certified Flight Instructor – Helicopter (CFI‑H)
Prereqs: Commercial pilot certificate + instructor training course.
Privileges: Provide dual instruction & endorsements, log instructional time toward your own ratings.
Certified Flight Instructor Instrument – Helicopter (CFII‑H)
Prereqs: CFI‑H + helicopter instrument rating.
Privileges: Teach helicopter pilots to fly IFR and sign them off for their instrument checkride.
Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (Helicopter)
Prereqs: 1 500 hours total time (with specified cross‑country, night & instrument minima), written & ATP checkride; age 23.
Privileges: Serve as PIC of multi‑crew turbine helicopters and in Part 135/121 airline‑style operations.
Bottom line: choose the exact certificate or rating you need—not the one that sounds coolest—and you’ll avoid wasted training time (and money!) chasing the wrong “license.”
