Helicopter Training
When it comes to helicopter training, safety and proficiency are not just goals; they are necessities. Whether you’re a seasoned aviator or just beginning to spread your rotor blades, recurrent training and checkrides play a central role in maintaining these standards. These practices aren’t merely about logging flight hours or ticking boxes for compliance. They’re about sharpening skills, reinforcing critical decision-making, and ensuring pilots are always ready to handle the unexpected. Flying helicopters demands precision and quick decision-making—skills that fade without regular reinforcement.
What is Recurrent Training?
Recurrent training refers to the periodic retraining and evaluation that all professional pilots must complete to maintain their certifications and flying privileges. It ensures pilots remain proficient, not just in normal operations, but also in high-stress, emergency situations.
Core Components Include:
- Emergency procedures refreshers (e.g., autorotation, hydraulic failure)
- System reviews (fuel, electrical, flight controls)
- Weather decision-making and airspace updates
- Flight reviews or checkrides with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) or Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)
FAA Requirements for Staying Current
Depending on the type of flying a helicopter pilot does, currency requirements will vary. But here are the key FAA expectations:
- Biennial Flight Review (BFR):
- Required every 24 calendar months
- At least 1 hour of ground instruction + 1 hour of flight time
- Day & Night Passenger Carrying:
- Must have made 3 takeoffs and landings (within 90 days) in the same category/class of aircraft.
- For night flights, those landings must be to a full stop.
- Instrument Currency (if applicable):
- For pilots with an instrument rating, 6 approaches, holding procedures, and navigation tasks every 6 months.
Why Ongoing Training Matters
- Prevents skill fade, especially in emergency maneuvers you hope to never use.
- Keeps pilots informed of regulatory updates, technology changes, and procedural improvements.
- Improves judgment and confidence, reducing risk in high-pressure situations.
- Helps protect passengers, crew, and people on the ground.
Tips to Stay Proficient Beyond the Basics
- Fly regularly, even short local hops help keep your reflexes sharp.
- Practice autorotations and simulated emergencies (with a CFI) often.
- Use simulators to stay sharp on IFR procedures or low-risk scenario training.
- Join safety seminars or pilot groups for knowledge-sharing and continued learning.
In aviation, safety isn’t a one-time achievement—it’s a daily commitment. The best helicopter pilots know that staying current isn’t just an FAA requirement; it’s the foundation of confident, capable flying. Recurrent helicopter training and checkrides aren’t just boxes to check—they’re opportunities to grow, refine, and recommit to excellence every time you lift off.
