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Flight Dispatcher Training in Virginia

Cities in Virginia with Aviation Schools:

  • Alexandria
  • Annandale
  • Arlington
  • Ashburn
  • Baileys Crossroads
  • Blacksburg
  • Burke
  • Cave Spring
  • Centreville
  • Chantilly
  • Charlottesville
  • Chesapeake
  • Dale City
  • Danville
  • Fair Oaks
  • Fairfax
  • Fredericksburg
  • Hamn
  • Hampton
  • Harrisonburg
  • Herndon
  • Lake Ridge
  • Leesburg
  • Lincolnia
  • Linton Hall
  • Lynchburg
  • Manassas
  • Marumsco
  • McLean
  • Mechanicsville
  • Newport News
  • Norfolk
  • Oakton
  • Petersburg
  • Portsmouth
  • Reston
  • Richmond
  • Roanoke
  • Salem
  • Short Pump
  • South Riding
  • Springfield
  • Staunton
  • Sterling
  • Suffolk
  • Tuckahoe
  • Tysons
  • Virginia Beach
  • Waynesboro
  • West Falls Church
  • Winchester

Flight Dispatcher Training in Virginia

Flight Dispatcher Training in Virginia

Flight dispatchers also called aircraft dispatchers and airline dispatchers, play a vital role in most large fleet operations, as well as at smaller cargo and flight training operations. In general, flight dispatchers work closely with pilots to plan all aspects of each flight.

Some of the factors a dispatcher must consider include weather (departure, en route, and destination), fuel requirements, aircraft weight & balance, airworthiness of the aircraft, compliance with regulations, alternate destinations, and route and altitude selection.

In general, the flight dispatcher's job is to ensure that a company's aircraft take off on time (weather permitting), are fully loaded to maximize revenues, have adequate fuel, airport, navigation, and weather information on board to complete the flight as planned, burn the least amount of fuel required for the flight, and land at the destination airport on or ahead of schedule. Get info about flight dispatcher training.

Flight Dispatcher Schools

When you attend a college or school offering flight dispatcher training, you'll learn aircraft performance specifications, how air traffic is routed in the National Airspace System by air traffic controllers, how aircraft use navigation and communications systems and facilities, aviation weather analysis, weight, and balance calculations, and of course, federal aviation regulations.

Some schools offer specialized training and accelerated courses that prepare you to take the FAA flight dispatcher certification exams. When you attend a college or school offering flight dispatcher training, you'll learn aircraft performance specifications, how air traffic is routed in the National Airspace System by air traffic controllers, how aircraft use navigation and communications systems and facilities, aviation weather analysis, weight, and balance calculations, and of course, federal aviation regulations.Keep in mind you must already meet the other requirements before enrolling in one of these courses. Learn more about flight dispatcher training.

As a flight dispatcher, you can expect to work for a large airline moving passengers or cargo, for smaller regional airlines as they continue to grow, or in large flight training operation.

Working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, you will probably have a computer workstation specialized for the task of planning flights and following changing weather all across the world. Expect to be indoors most of the time, although you will be interfacing with pilots in and around the airport environment, so you could be on the airport tarmac when required.

Flight Dispatcher Duties

Flight dispatchers share the responsibility for the safety of a given flight with the captain of the aircraft. Typically, the flight dispatcher is responsible for creating a flight plan and works with the captain directly on such issues as takeoff and landing performance, fuel load, route, altitudes, weight and balance, and weather conditions.

The flight dispatcher also "releases" a particular aircraft to make it's flight, and, once airborne, monitors the progress of all his/her current flights and shares that information with other key ground personnel. Aircraft dispatchers usually ride along in the cockpit of company-owned aircraft several times per year (the Federal Aviation Administration requires a minimum of five hours per year in the cockpit) to keep their skills sharp in relation to airline procedures, air traffic control routing, and airport environments.

Flight Dispatcher Training Courses

In order to be eligible to become a flight dispatcher, you'll need to be a high school graduate. Of course, the more education you have, the better, as airlines prefer to hire dispatchers with college degrees, and you'll be competing in a tight job market.

If you want to become a flight dispatcher, the time to start your training is now. However, keep in mind that you must be at least 21 to take the Aircraft Dispatcher Knowledge Test (written) and you must be at least 23 to hold an FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate.

Where to Find Flight Dispatcher Training

You can train to become a flight dispatcher in one of three ways:

1. Graduate from a college or vocational training school's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved flight dispatcher course.
2. Work for at least one year as an apprentice and under the direct supervision of an FAA certified flight dispatcher.
3. Work for two of the last three preceding years as an air traffic controller, either in the military or civilian sectors

Learn more about flight dispatcher certification.

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Facts Rudder

The rudder is the primary control surface that causes an aircraft to yaw or move about the vertical axis. This provides directional control and thus points the nose of the aircraft in the direction desired. Most aircraft have a single rudder hinged to the trailing edge of the vertical stabilizer. It is controlled by a pair of foot-operated rudder pedals in the cockpit.

Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test Prerequisites

To be eligible to take the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test, an applicant must meet the following criteria, as required by 14 CFR part 65: Be at least 21 years of age; Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English Language; Present documentary evidence of passing the required knowledge test prescribed by 14 CFR part 65.55 within the preceding 24 months and Comply with the experience or training requirements of 14CFR part 65.57.

Aircraft Flight Dispatcher Training in Virginia

Some flight dispatcher training schools in Virginia offer specialized training and accelerated courses that prepare flight dispatcher students from Virginia to take the FAA flight dispatcher certification exams. Keep in mind you must already meet the other requirements before enrolling in one of the flight dispatcher training courses in Virginia.

If you attend a college or vocational school in Virginia offering flight dispatcher training, you'll learn all about aircraft performance specifications, how air traffic is routed in the National Airspace System by air traffic controllers, how aircraft use navigation and communications systems and facilities, aviation weather analysis, weight and balance calculations, and of course, federal aviation regulations.

Flight Dispatchers in Virginia serve as one of the most crucial components of the entire airline operation. Flight dispatchers fromVirginia are licensed airmen, certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Flight dispatchers from Virginia must undergo extensive testing and training to earn this highly sought after certificate, and must pass both an extensive oral examination and the comprehensive written Aircraft Dispatcher test.

The Aircraft or Flight Dispatcher tests are equivalent to the Air Transport Pilot (ATP) written and oral examinations that airline pilots take as part of their licensing procedure. They are, in essence, pilots on the ground, and are as legally liable for the aircraft as is the pilot in the cockpit.

In order to be eligible to become a flight dispatcher in Virginia, you'll need to be a high school graduate. Of course, the more education you have, the better, as airlines prefer to hire dispatchers with college degrees, and you'll be competing in a tight job market.

If you want to become a Virginia flight dispatcher, the time to start your training is now. However, keep in mind that you must be at least 21 to take the Aircraft Dispatcher Knowledge Test (written) and you must be at least 23 to hold an FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate.

The role of an aircraft dispatcher in Virginia is important and complex. They are the ground-based eyes and ears for the pilot in the air. Regulations stemming from the FAA hold both the pilot and the dispatcher as being equally responsible for the safety of the flight. Working jointly with the pilot, the dispatcher draws up a flight plan that will allow the aircraft to arrive at its destination safely and as cost-efficiently as possible.

Flight dispatchers from Virginia follow the developing weather along the route as well as at the final destination. They ensure the aircraft has all the provisions (fuel, food, etc.) needed to make the flight safely. They also track the flight to ensure it remains on course per the flight plan, keeping all ground support personnel aware of its progress.

Where to Find Flight Dispatcher Training in Virginia

You can train to become a flight dispatcher in one of three ways:

1. Graduate from a college or vocational training school's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved flight dispatcher course in Virginia.
2. Work for at least one year as an apprentice and under the direct supervision of an FAA certified flight dispatcher.
3. Work for two of the last three preceding years as an air traffic controller, either in the military or civilian sectors

Virginia Flight Dispatchers Job Description

Virginia Flight Dispatchers are licensed airmen certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration and have joint responsibility with the captain for the safety and operational control of flights under his/her guidance.

Flight Dispatchers from Virginia authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government and company regulations to expedite and ensure the safety of flight by performing the following tasks:

  • responsible for economics, passenger service and operational control of day to day flight operations.
  • analyze and evaluate meteorological information to determine potential hazards to the safety of flight and to select the most desirable and economic route of flight.
  • compute the amount of fuel required for the safe completion of flight according to the type of aircraft, the distance of the flight, maintenance limitations, weather conditions and minimum fuel requirements prescribed by federal aviation regulations.
  • prepare flight plans containing information such as maximum allowable takeoff and landing weights, weather reports, field conditions, NOTAMS and many other informational components required for the safe completion of the flight.
  • prepare and signs the dispatch release which is the legal document providing authorization for a flight to depart.
  • delay or cancel flights if unsafe conditions threaten the safety of his/her aircraft or passengers.
  • monitor weather conditions, aircraft position reports, and aeronautical navigation charts to evaluate the progress of the flight.
  • update the pilot in command of significant changes to weather or flight plan and recommends flight plan alternates, such as changing course, altitude and, if required, enroute landings in the interest of safety and economy.
  • originate and disseminate flight information to others in his/her company including stations and reservations. This is the source of information provided to the traveling public.

Flight Dispatchers from Virginia have undergone extensive training to have earned the coveted Flight Dispatcher's certificate having taken and passed both an extensive oral examination and the comprehensive Dispatch ADX test, administered by the Federal Aviation Administration. These tests are equivalent to the same Air Transport Pilot (ATP) written and oral examinations that an airline captain must successfully complete.

Flight Dispatchers from Virginia participate in frequent and detailed recurrent training courses covering aircraft systems, company operations policy, meteorology and Federal Air Regulations as required by the FAA.

Flight Dispatcher Salaries in Virginia

How much do flight dispatchers from Virginia make? PayScale.com reports that flight dispatchers from Virginia with 1-4 years experience make between $31,000 and $46,000, and those with more than five years experience earn between $40,000 and $92,000 per year.

AvJobs.com reports that the highest-paid dispatchers from Virginia can earn $110,000 per year.

According to Careers.StateUniversity.com, flight dispatcher salaries in >Virginia vary depending on the dispatcher's experience, size of the operation, location, and size of the airport. Starting salaries can be as low as $20,000 per year and top out at over $100,000 annually. Learn about flight dispatcher training.

Flight Dispatcher Benefits

Other flight dispatcher benefits in Virginia may include health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, and travel benefits (if airline employed) for you and your immediate family, including free or reduced airfares and discounts at major hotels. Another possible benefit of working for an airline is being able to ride in the cockpit jumpseat. Dispatchers are required to fly in the jumpseat at least five hours per year as part of their recurrent training, but dispatchers are also allowed to fly in the jumpseat on their own airline, and most other airlines, anywhere, anytime the jumpseat is available. Get more information about flight dispatcher jobs.

Aviation History for Alexandria and Fun Facts for Alexandria

Flight Instructor Facts for Alexandria There are flight instructor re-certification courses for airplanes and helicopters, which are typically combined. In many areas, an aerobatic flight instructor re-certification course is also required and commonly requires actual flying as well as classroom periods.

Modern Day Military Pilot Training for Alexandria

The Rotary Wing training at Rucker began in the Department of Rotary Wing Training. The first four weeks in the Basic Instrument Division at Shell AAF (originally designed as a Fixed Wing Field). The student went from there to the Advanced Instrument Training Division at Hanchey AHP. At Hanchey we used the TH-13T helicopters instrument trainer, and later, the Huey (UH-1).

Aviation Training History and Facts for Annandale

Helicopter Training Facts: In helicopter pilot training, there are a series of high stress scenarios that students must work through. The ability to make good decisions under pressure, commitment to the safety of others, dedication, and emotional strength are all requirements of the job.

New Pilot Flight Training in Annandale:

You have to do a night cross-country with your instructor. You might as well make it to an airport that is 50 nautical miles away and make sure to stay up in the air for a total of two hours. That way, you'll be all set for your Commercial aeronautical experience (FAR 61.129(c)).

Aviation History for Arlington and Fun Facts for Arlington

Whirly-Girls History: Jean Ross Howard Phelan, Whirly-Girl #13, founded Whirly-Girls in 1955. In hopes of developing an organization where female pilots could share information and camaraderie, she was one of 13 charter members representing women helicopter pilots from France, Germany and the United States. As of 2011, there are over 1700 registered members representing 44 countries. Whirly-Girls is an official affiliate member of the Helicopter Association International.

Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Arlington

How Long Does it Take to Become a Helicopter Pilot: Keep in mind that you will be required to build up to 1,000 flying hours as well. Once you start instructing it will likely take you 12 - 18 months to build up to 1,000 hours.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Blacksburg

Helicopter Jobs: An advantage to flying for the military is the chance to earn free and advanced training. These jobs can, of course, be dangerous, especially when flying near combat zones. Helicopter pilot jobs with law enforcement agencies typically require pilots to also be fully-trained police officers.

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Blacksburg

Helicopter Jobs: Is it your dream to fly an expensive jet-powered helicopter without paying for the hours? Thank your neighbors for driving SUVs. Every year the oil industry goes farther offshore to get oil. The only way to get to an offshore platform is by helicopter and thus every year there are more jobs for helicopter pilots.

Aviation History for Burke and Fun Facts for Burke

Helicopter Training Facts: Most pilots develop a physical fitness regime during training to help them build the muscle strength required for this role. Maintaining a high degree of personal fitness also reduces the residual physical stress and strain of maintaining a fixed position.

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Burke

Truly superior pilots are those who use their superior judgment to avoid those situations where they might have to use their superior skills. From: Slipping the Surly Bonds

The most important parts of a hover auto are stopping the yaw (pedal) and stopping the drift (cyclic). If a helicopter falls from 2' and the collective isn't touched, there shouldn't be any damage to the aircraft as long as the skids don't have to absorb a big yawing or drifting moment. Remember that the blades still have some pitch on them and are providing some lift.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Centreville

Helicopter Training Facts: In helicopter pilot training, there are a series of high stress scenarios that students must work through. The ability to make good decisions under pressure, commitment to the safety of others, dedication, and emotional strength are all requirements of the job.

Interesting Aviation Facts for Centreville for Centreville

Don't go anywhere at night that you haven't been to a lot of times during the daytime. The only exception to this rule would be when flying from airport to airport, in which case you should stay 2000' AGL until you have visually identified the destination airport. Establish high personal weather minimums for night flying, even with an instructor. I do not like to leave the airport traffic pattern unless the visibility is at least 10 miles.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Chantilly

Helicopter Training Facts: With enough hours and experience, you can look for jobs with charter companies, tourism and sightseeing organizations and other places that use helicopters in their operations. Some employers might also expect their pilots to have some level of college education.

With Helicopters in Chantilly Safety is Everything:

People fly helicopters into friends' backyards, onto highways on rainy nights after car accidents, onto rooftop helipads, and with air conditioners hanging underneath. Helicopters are unstable and very few are equipped with autopilots. You'd expect helicopters to be vastly more dangerous than airplanes. They are and they aren't. Big jet-powered helicopters are safer than small airplanes, but not by the huge factor that big jet-powered airplanes are safer. The jet-powered helicopters suffer 4 accidents per 100,000 hours, 1 of which will be fatal. Piston-powered helicopters, which these days means Robinson suffer 13-20 accidents per year with roughly 2 of those accidents being fatal.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Charlottesville

Heliports: Rural heliports often house helicopters used to spray agricultural fields where a standard crop-dusting airplane may not be able to operate. County sheriff's police as well as search and rescue crews may also base helicopters out of one of these locations.

Instrument Ratings for Airplane Pilots for Charlottesville:

If you get an Instrument Airplane rating, chances are that you will use it regularly; most airplanes are certified for IMC and any time that one takes a trip in an airplane, it seems as though the instrument rating ends up being required. By the time you want to get your CFII-A, the only challenge will be flying those instruments from the other seat.

Aviation History for Chesapeake and Fun Facts for Chesapeake

The Commercial Pilot's License (CPL(H)) This is the standard professional license, and the one a pilot will hold after successful completion of a recognized training course under either the JAA modular or integrated systems.

Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Chesapeake

Becoming a Certified Flight Instructor: Flight instructors typically have about 200 hours of in air flight time before they can become eligible as an instructor. For some helicopter models the FAA enforces a strict 200 hour minimum in order to be an instructor.

Aviation History for Dale City and Fun Facts for Dale City

Flight Instructor Facts for Dale City Often, an established and licensed helicopter pilot will decide to become an instructor. The additional training to become an instructor is given by a certified helicopter flight instructor.

Interesting Aviation Facts for Dale City for Dale City

There is little value in teaching students to raise the collective at the bottom of a hover auto. Concentrate on the pedal and cyclic work, which do not come naturally for most pilots. Nobody who is in a helicopter that is falling toward the ground needs a CFI to tell them to pull up on the collective. Remember that pavement is not as forgiving of small problems with hover autos compared to grass, but big yaw or drift when hitting grass is more likely to result in a dynamic rollover than the same sloppiness on pavement.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Danville

Heliports: Many heliports also play host to a number of flight schools and repair colleges. Those wishing to learn to fly a helicopter or to repair one can take courses at these schools.

Instrument Ratings for New Helicopter Pilots in Danville

A lot of commercial helicopter jobs require instrument ratings, even some where the helicopters that you will be flying are not certified for instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). When is a good time to get instrument-certified? My personal theory is that you should get your instrument rating right after you finish the CFI-H and then take instrument rating and CFII-H checkrides back to back.

Aviation History for Hampton and Fun Facts for Hampton

Helicopter Training Facts: The pass rate on many helicopter pilot examinations is between 75 percent and 80 percent, due to the level of responsibility and risk associated with this career. As a result, there is a significant amount of repetition involved in the training program.

Modern Day Military Pilot Training for Hampton:

Initially, the training objective was to provide enough instrument experience to get out of trouble in case a pilot encountered what we called inadvertent IFR. We called that qualification a “Tactical Instrument Card”. As soon as we could however we extended training to provide a full-up Instrument qualification and issued a Standard Instrument Card.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Harrisonburg

Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Harrisonburg Specialized training, based on the kind of aircraft the pilot flies, is another requirement. Helicopter pilots are also required to have and maintain excellent physical and mental health.

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Harrisonburg

Any landing you can walk away from is a good one. Gerald Massie (photographer and plane crash surviver).

With Helicopters in Harrisonburg Safety is Everything: The good news about helicopter safety is that it is largely under your control as the pilot. If you want to cruise along for 25 miles skimming the ground 100' above obstacles and then land in your friend's backyard, which is surrounded by powerlines and trees, you are asking for trouble.

Aviation History for Lynchburg and Fun Facts for Lynchburg

The Airline Transport Pilot's License (ATPL(H)) This is the senior license to which many professional pilots will aspire, and requires 1000 hours total flight experience of which 250 hours must be as a pilot in command. Additionally, for an ATPL(H) to be issued the candidate must possess a valid Instrument Rating (IR) and have completed at least 70 hours of instrument flight time together with 350 hours of multi crew and multi engined helicopter experience! Integrated Training

New Helicopter Training Lessons:

For 180-degree autorotations, the typical problem is that the student lets the nose drop in the right turn. Now the airspeed builds up and the descent rate correspondingly increases, which increase the rotor RPM. A low-time instructor is going to have his hands full recovering an R22 from this mournful situation. Best to start at 3000' again. Have the student enter straight-ahead and establish a 65-knot 100 percent RPM autorotation, with a slightly raised collective to hold the RPMs at 100 percent

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Manassas

Helicopter Jobs: Some helicopter pilots land high-flying careers by working with television programs or motion picture production companies. Others spend most of their work day with their feet on the ground by working as flight instructors.

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Manassas

If you're quasi-rich the best helicopter is a fuel-injected Robinson R44 Raven II with air conditioning. If you're poor you probably don't want a kit helicopter. What you want is a 4- or 5-way partnership in a Robinson R22. A small helicopter isn't like an airplane. You usually take it out only for an hour or two on a local trip which makes it very easy to share and scheduling conflicts among partners are unlikely. Splitting insurance and hangar costs 4 or 5 ways brings down the total cost of ownership and flying to perhaps $10000 per year.

Aviation Training History and Facts for McLean

Helicopter Jobs: Helicopter pilots must successfully complete a flight training program and log a certain number of hours flying before beginning any job.

Helicopter Jobs: helicopter pilot jobs may entail lifting heavy equipment to work sites. For example, pilots that work with off-shore oil rigs are used to transport workers and equipment. These workers may be required to stay on-site for several days so they are readily available for transporting.

Advice in Buying Helicopters for McLean:

If you don't want to buy a mechanic to go with your helicopter and constantly stuff grease into various joints, your only option in the land of the certified is Robinson. I own an R22 and an R44. The R44 was 50 percent more expensive, but it is 200 percent more useful. The R22 feels cramped even when you're by yourself and, against a headwind, you watch cars on the Interstate passing you.

Aviation History for Newport News and Fun Facts for Newport News

Helicopter Training Facts: Most pilots develop a physical fitness regime during training to help them build the muscle strength required for this role. Maintaining a high degree of personal fitness also reduces the residual physical stress and strain of maintaining a fixed position.

Post World War Military Pilot Training for Newport News:

In July 1958, all Air Force helicopter pilot training moved to Stead. A total of 255 officers and airmen transferred. The students received 40 hours transition and instrument training and 30 hours operational tactics in the H-19 and 35 hours transition in the H-21.

Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Norfolk

Important Safety Issues to consider when choosing a helicopter school: Even with the meticulous inspections and maintenance that helicopters regularly undergo, they are still subject to mechanical problems. You have to keep in mind that the people who fly the helicopters are still learning and more subject to making mistakes which can easily result in an accident.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Norfolk

A pilot who doesn't have any fear probably isn't flying his plane to its maximum. - by Jon McBride astronaut

Vietnam Era Military Pilot Training: Back to the Army - 1970. This was the end of what we had known as the USAF Helicopter School where we took the students from beginning to end. In October 1970, Air Force student helicopter pilots began to receive training from Army and Civil Service instructor pilots at Fort Wolters, Texas. After graduation from the Army training qualified as first pilots in the UH-1, they would proceed to Sheppard AFB for Phase III combat crew training in UH-1F and CH-3C helicopters.

Aviation History for Portsmouth and Fun Facts for Portsmouth

How to fund helicopter school: Most schools have staff to help you obtain the necessary financing to cover your schooling. The school should be willing and able to assist you through the entire process which is very similar to other arenas of academic funding.

Helicopter Pilot Training Tidbits for Portsmouth

The autorotation consists of four parts: entry, glide, flare, collective pull to a touch-down or power recovery. The typical flight school introduces all four parts simultaneously. You learn autorotations by going up to 500' or 700' AGL, entering, gliding, flaring, and power recovering. It all happens way too fast for most students and doing the flare and power recovery near the ground is frightening at first.

Aviation History for Reston and Fun Facts for Reston

Helicopter Training Facts: The pass rate on many helicopter pilot examinations is between 75 percent and 80 percent, due to the level of responsibility and risk associated with this career. As a result, there is a significant amount of repetition involved in the training program.

Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Reston

Start out with the helicopter just 6\ to 1' off the ground. Ignore the collective. Work on using the pedals and cyclic so that the helicopter is neither yawing nor drifting when it hits the pavement. When you've mastered these controls start doing hover autos from higher up and add some collective input towards the bottom.

Aviation History for Richmond and Fun Facts for Richmond

The Airline Transport Pilot's License (ATPL(H)) This is the senior license to which many professional pilots will aspire, and requires 1000 hours total flight experience of which 250 hours must be as a pilot in command. Additionally, for an ATPL(H) to be issued the candidate must possess a valid Instrument Rating (IR) and have completed at least 70 hours of instrument flight time together with 350 hours of multi crew and multi engined helicopter experience! Integrated Training

Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Richmond

How Long Does it Take To Become a Helicopter Pilot: That all depends on how frequently you fly the helicopter. If you are pursuing your licensing on a full-time basis it may only take you 6 - 8 months to earn your license. Compared to many training and educational programs this is a drop in the bucket!

Aviation History for Roanoke and Fun Facts for Roanoke

The Commercial Pilot's License (CPL(H)) This is the standard professional license, and the one a pilot will hold after successful completion of a recognized training course under either the JAA modular or integrated systems.

Helicopter Pilot Training Tidbits for Roanoke

I like to take a student up to 3000' AGL and have him or her glide down to 500' AGL before adding power and climbing back up to 3000' again. In other words, the student practices the entry and glide repeatedly without being close to the ground and without worrying about the flare or power recovery. After perfecting these parts of an autorotation, the student comes back for another lesson and starts doing flares and power recoveries.

Aviation History for Suffolk and Fun Facts for Suffolk

Whirly-Girls History: Jean Ross Howard Phelan, Whirly-Girl #13, founded Whirly-Girls in 1955. In hopes of developing an organization where female pilots could share information and camaraderie, she was one of 13 charter members representing women helicopter pilots from France, Germany and the United States. As of 2011, there are over 1700 registered members representing 44 countries. Whirly-Girls is an official affiliate member of the Helicopter Association International.

New Helicopter Pilot Training Facts:

When the engine quits during a hover, the pilot needs to make three control inputs. The right pedal is pressed forward to reduce tail rotor thrust. Now that the engine isn't running, you don't need all of that anti-torque. The cyclic is pressed slightly right to return it to a neutral position. An American helicopter has a tendency to drift right in a hover, which means that a pilot has to hold a slight left cyclic input to keep the helicopter stationary. (The cause of the drift is tail rotor thrust.) When the engine power is removed, leaving this input in will result in a left drift. Thus the need to pull the cyclic slightly right. The final required input is an upward pull of the collective, starting at about 1' from the ground. This cushions the impact.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Tuckahoe

Helicopter Training Facts: Commercial uses for helicopters include flying passengers on sightseeing trips, assisting in search-and-rescue operations and patrolling oil pipelines, to name just a few examples. If you want to become a commercial helicopter pilot, first you typically must earn your private pilot's license, then fly additional hours to become a commercial helicopter pilot.

Instrument Ratings for Helicopter Pilots for Tuckahoe:

Helicopters, by contrast, are seldom equipped and almost never certified for IMC. If you get your instrument rating at 120 hours, for example, and then try to get the CFII at 250 hours, you'll probably find that your instrument proficiency has deteriorated dramatically. If, on the other hand, you get your helicopter instrument rating at 249 hours and your CFII-H at 250 hours, you only need to get sharp once.

Aviation History for Virginia Beach and Fun Facts for Virginia Beach

Should You Choose a Part 141 or Part 61 School: Do some research and you will find that some schools operate under certification requirements for both Part 141 and Part 61 which can open up more future opportunity for you. Check with each of the helicopter training schools you are considering and find out under which requirements they operate under.

Aviation Training History and Facts for Virginia Beach

Entry-level helicopter pilots can earn anything between USD 25,000 to USD 35,000 per year if you become a flight instructor. If you are a pilot in the police department or in the law enforcement agency, then you may draw anything between USD 40,000 to USD 50,000 per year. This can grow very fast after you complete your training and probation period in your company.