Helicopter Flight Training
Training at Aeropower Flight School
Aeropower Flight School is a fully accredited Registered Training Organisation & CASA Part 141 Flight Training Organisation approved to deliver to overseas students (CRICOS) and to administer Government study loans via the VET Student Loans scheme.
Since 1998 our flight school has provided high quality, professional flight training programmes supporting not only the greater business’ skilling needs, but also those of the South-East Asian rotary-wing industry. Our flight school is experienced not only in the retail and wholesale sectors, but also in delivering bespoke ab-initio and advanced training programmes for utilities, multinationals, government agencies, and military/para- military forces.
What we offer:
Commercial Pilot Licence
Aeropower proudly delivers one of Australia’s most sophisticated commercial pilot courses as a Diploma of Aviation (course code AVI50319). This programme establishes graduates as highly professional and career-ready commercial Helicopter pilots. Training in modern aircraft, with working line pilots as instructors and integrated virtual reality systems.
The CASA minimums for a CPL(H) are as follows:
At least 105 hours of flight time as a pilot of an aircraft; and
At least 70 hours of flight time as a pilot of a helicopter; and
At least 35 hours of flight time as pilot in command of a helicopter; and
At least 10 hours of solo cross-country flight time in a helicopter including a flight of at least 150 nautical miles which includes at least two landings at locations other than where the flight departed from; and
You may fly no more than 2 types of helicopter in the 105 hours; and
You must complete the last 30 hours of your training within 90 days.
It is Aeropower’s experience that some students will require more hours than the minimum CASA requirements to achieve competency. Additional time may therefore be required by some students over and above the programme outlined in this product guide. Aeropower staff can explain this aspect in more detail if required.
VET Student Loans available on both full-time and part-time courses
Course Outcomes
Upon completion of Aeropower's CPL course, you will be a qualified commercial helicopter pilot, eligible to work in multiple capacities across the world.
Private Pilot Licence
Aeropower proudly delivers one of Australia’s most sophisticated private pilot courses. This programme provides its participants with the skills, knowledge, and experience to be the safest private pilots in the Australian skies.
The CASA minimums for a PPL(H) are as follows:
At least 40 hours of flight time as a pilot of an aircraft; and
At least 35 hours of flight time as a pilot of a helicopter; and
At least 10 hours of flight time as pilot in command of a helicopter; and
At least 5 hours of solo cross-country flight time in a helicopter including a flight of at least 100 nautical miles which includes at least two landings at locations other than where the flight departed from.
Aeropower provides a recommended syllabus for all flight training programmes. The design of each syllabus is based on several factors including compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements, safe practice, suitable student learning approach and years of pilot training experience.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, you will be qualified as a helicopter pilot ready to take to the skies in private aircraft.
Night Visual Flight Rules Rating
A night rating allows a pilot to fly a helicopter between last light and first light under night visual meteorological conditions. Aeropower is a long time provider of Night VFR training to the helicopter industry.
The Night VFR rating is a significant step up in skill and accuracy of flying and planning from basic day VFR. It is also a good stepping stone to an instrument rating as a lot of the skills learned transfer.
Course Outcomes
Once endorsed pilots are permitted to fly at night.
What We Offer
Aeropower offers a number of ratings and endorsements for the pilot looking up upskill:
We offer training and flight reviews on all helicopters in our fleet. Typically allow 3-4 hours for training on a new type.
First turbine? We offer gas turbine endorsements in our MD500 and AS350. Typically allow 5-6 hours for a first turbine endorsement.
We offer low level ratings and sling endorsements. A low level rating is 5 hours minimum plus flight test and a sling endorsement is typically 3-5 hours plus flight test.
Aeropower offers training at our Redcliffe facility or we can come to you.
BYO aircraft training is also available in some circumstances. Ask us for details.
Click Let's Fly below to enquire today.
Ready to begin your journey
Flight Reviews
Most pilots in Australia will require a flight review every two years to continue exercising the privileges of their license.
CASA requires that pilots wishing to operate an R22 or R44 must carry out a flight review in either of those helicopters every two years. For this reason we recommend pilots carry out their HFR in our R44.
However we can complete an HFR in any of our fleet or, in some cases, your own aircraft.
Click Let's Fly below to arrange a flight review.
Our fleet
Cabri G2
The flagship of our flight school is the Cabri G2. After a comprehensive, global review process we chose the G2 as our basic training platform, replacing the Robinson R22 and Schweizer 300. The G2 is the world’s most advanced 2 seat piston engine helicopter, cutting edge technology provides safety levels previously only available on large helicopters or military types and a 3-bladed rotor system ensures stability in all conditions.
Robinson R44
The Robinson R44 has been the world’s best-selling general aviation (GA) helicopter every year since 1999. It is the most produced GA aircraft of the 21st century, with 5,805 deliveries from 2000–2017. We utilise the R44 predominately in our charter operations but also include it as an advanced trainer in our Commercial Pilot Licence programmes to furnish graduates with valuable, industry experience on this very popular operating platform.
MD500
One of the world’s most successful and useful light turbine helicopters, the Hughes/McDonnell Douglas/MD500 series Helicopters began life in response to a US Army requirement for a light observation helicopter. This machine type is the workhorse of our fleet, tasked with the majority of our airborne electrical services work and also configurable as an ab-initio or lead-in trainer.
AS350 B2
The multipurpose, single-engine AS350 has an outstanding proven track record. Its flexibility and low acquisition cost have made it a very sought-after helicopter capable of performing
a wide range of taskings. It is well suited for all missions requiring various types of equipment, especially for police, newsgathering, medical transportation, and utility operations. Our AS350 fleet is configurable for firefighting, sling work, powerline operations, and flight training.
Virtual Reality Simulator
Aeropower was the first CPL(H) training organisation in Australia to include Virtual Reality (VR) simulation in the syllabus. This provides a high degree of realism, without incurring aircraft costs, giving students increased value and hands-on practice.