Kestrel Aviation - Combined Helicopter and Aeroplane Courses

Commercial Helicopter and Private Aeroplane Pilots Licence

Some students elect to do a private aeroplane pilots licence prior to undertaking the helicopter commercial training in order to reduce their overall cost of obtaining a CPL helicopter licence and in some cases to provide the 2 licences for less than the price of 1.

There are however many issues to be considered prior to embarking on the combined course and should be discussed with an instructor or appropriate person.

Helicopter and aeroplane combined courses

Some of the issues for discussion are:

Will you ever use the private aeroplane licence in the future? (i.e. is it worth spending nearly $10,000 on a qualification that you may never use, to save yourself $4000?)
If you do use your aeroplane licence, will you be able to remain current and safe on both aircraft types?
Are you prepared to complete your CPL helicopter licence with only 70 hours instead of the 105 hours minimum for the straight helicopter course.
Students are more likely to exceed the minimum times for the combined course than for the straight helicopter course.

There are however many instances where students can benefit from doing the combined course, for example:

Students from the 'outback' for whom an aeroplane licence may be an asset.
Students who are unsure as to whether to fly aeroplanes or helicopters are able to delay their decision until they have finished their aeroplane PPL and will not be financially penalised for going either way.
Students may wish to save some money, which could then go towards an advanced rating such as a Night VFR rating or turbine engine endorsement.
Students who would otherwise be unable to afford a CPL helicopter licence.

Course information is as follows:

Aim
To achieve the standard necessary for operations in a commercial capacity in a helicopter. This is the standard which must be achieved in order to gain employment as a professional helicopter pilot.

Privileges & Limitations
The Helicopter Commercial Pilot Licence will enable you to fly anywhere in Australia with passengers during daylight hours, in any helicopter for which an endorsement is held. Commercial pilots may be remunerated for flying done, however any commercial activities must be conducted under an organisation, which holds an Air Operators Certificates.

In addition the pilot is able to fly any aeroplane in which they are endorsed with passengers during daylight hours, but may not be remunerated for their aeroplane flight time.

Pre-requisites
Before a CPL can be issued the candidate must:

Hold a Student Pilot's Licence.(see above)
Be a minimum of 18 years old prior to the helicopter CPL flight test, and 17 years of age prior to the aeroplane PPL test.
Hold a class 1 aviation medical (or class 2 for the PPL aeroplane component of the course).
Have passed the CASA PPL aeroplane exam and CPL helicopter exam.
Have completed the minimum flight time requirements for the PPL aeroplane (40 hours of which a minimum of 10 hours must be flown as pilot in command) and the CPL helicopter (70 hours of which a minimum of 20 hours must be flown as pilot in command).
Have passed the PPL aeroplane flight test and CPL helicopter flight test.

Night training in an R22

For more information on courses or to express your interest,
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