2. Aside from his professional career, financial advisor
Hans Overturf maintains an active interest in flying
helicopters.
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
data, more than 4,000 people in the U.S. possess a
private helicopter license, which is required to fly
recreationally. Obtaining the license requires time, a
considerable amount of money, and commitment, but
piloting a helicopter can be a rewarding experience.
Below is a summary of the process.
3. 1. First, identify a helicopter flight school. Research
options online and talk to current helicopter pilots and
those training in your area. Arrange a visit to schools
you’re interested in, in order to speak with the owners
and instructors in person and, if possible, ride along
with them in flight. Be sure to ask questions about
their methods, work history, FAA certifications, the
helicopters used and their maintenance schedule, and
safety record.
4. 2. Prior to taking your licensing exam, you’ll need at
least 20 hours of flight time with a certified flight
instructor and 20 hours of solo flight time. Most people
complete more than the minimum.
5. 3. You must pass an FAA medical clearance exam
prior to taking the licensing test. The exam includes
an overview of your medical history as well as hearing
and vision tests, and it must be administered by a
certified FAA medical examiner.
6. 4. The private helicopter licensing test consists of two
parts: a written test completed at an FAA-approved
computer testing center, and a practical test
assessing your skills in flight. You must pass the
written component before becoming eligible to take
the practical test.
