is 40000 worth getting a helicopter commercial license?

Answer 1

Average salary for a helicopter pilot in the US is 78K.
As a comparrison ... you can get your helicopter license in under two years and make 78k. A teacher goes to school for 5 years, probably spends more to get the education, and makes 40K.

Answer 2

That's a lot of money, but it very well could cost that, or more, to start from scratch and do all your training, time building and ratings strictly in helicopters. A less expensive method, which would give you much more flexibility in the job market, would be to train in fixed wing aircraft through the commercial certificate (still not cheap, but less expensive than renting helicopters), then get a "cross-over" helicopter rating on your commercial pilot certificate. You will still need to spend a fair amount of time and money to attain the rating, but you will save an awful lot, overall.

The next hurdle is more challenging. With the bare minimum of hours for a commercial certificate, you probably won't be able to find any job flying helicopters. You will also find it very difficult to rent a helicopter to build time, even if you can afford it, as most insurance policies on helicopter training specify no solo flight except during the course of training. There are some exceptions, although they are rare, and typically require more than 1,000 hours of pilot in command time in helicopters. So, it is a classic Catch-22 - you just spent $40,000 to obtain a commercial helicopter pilot certificate, but nobody will hire you until you build a lot more helicopter PIC time (usually insurance requirements and a supply of high time military-trained and experienced helicopter pilots in the job pool), and you can't rent a helicopter to build the time. If you could afford to buy, maintain and operate a helicopter in order to build the requisite time, why would you give up what must be an extremely high income to take a much lower-paying job as a helicopter pilot? These machines are among the most expensive things to keep flying you can imagine. Remember, a pilot must "stay ahead" of the aircraft, and one needs to "stay ahead" of his training in order to meet his objectives. It may behoove you to look into the military to pursue your rotary wing training, but be advised, you will need to meet a lot of standards to be accepted into the aviation program.

Answer 3

That depends, are they private lessons? If they are that is a good deal. Second do you have your helicopter license already, and just want to upgrade. If that's the case you will find the 2 a not very similar, with regards to turbines and avionics. The only thing even close is military training. If you where a WO, for example I think you would be paying way to much. At least 3/4 of the stuff you would already know.

Answer 4

It sounds kind of high, right off hand. I'd guess closer to $20K. Check out several flight schools. You might also consider getting your commercial aircraft rating in airplanes and then get your helicopter ratings.