You already know how to fly. You understand airspace, weather, navigation, and radio communication. A helicopter add-on rating lets you apply that knowledge to rotorcraft — with fewer hours and lower cost than starting from scratch. At Pelican Flight Training, airplane pilots add a PPL-H, CPL-H, or CFI-H to their existing certificates in as little as 4-8 weeks.
Train on the Schweizer 300C at a flight school with 40+ years of experience and 365 days of flying weather in Miami, Florida.
A helicopter add-on rating is an FAA certificate that adds the Rotorcraft-Helicopter category and class to your existing pilot certificate. Under 14 CFR §61.63, pilots who already hold an airplane certificate can earn the equivalent helicopter certificate at a reduced hour requirement — because many of the aeronautical knowledge and experience requirements have already been met.
In simple terms: the FAA does not make you start over. Your existing knowledge of airspace, navigation, weather theory, regulations, and radio communication carries over. What you need to learn is helicopter-specific: hovering, autorotations, confined-area operations, and the unique aerodynamics of rotorcraft.
This is different from earning a helicopter certificate from scratch. A student with zero experience needs a minimum of 40 flight hours for the PPL-H. An airplane pilot adding a PPL-H can qualify with significantly fewer hours because their prior aeronautical experience is credited.
Pelican Flight Training offers add-on training for every helicopter certificate level: Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI, and CFII.
Any pilot who holds a valid FAA airplane certificate can add a helicopter rating at the same or lower certificate level. Here are the most common paths:
| You Currently Hold | You Can Add | Result |
|---|---|---|
| PPL (Airplane) | PPL-H add-on | Private Pilot — Airplane & Helicopter |
| IR (Airplane) | IR-H add-on | Instrument Rating in both categories |
| CPL (Airplane) | CPL-H add-on | Commercial privileges in helicopters |
| CFI (Airplane) | CFI-H add-on | Authorized to teach helicopter students |
| ATP (Airplane) | Any helicopter level | Rotorcraft added to your ATP record |
You can also combine add-ons. Many airplane CPL holders complete the PPL-H first, then continue to CPL-H and CFI-H in a single training block at Pelican. This is the most efficient path for career-minded pilots who want to fly both categories.
International pilots with FAA certificates (including those obtained through ICAO/EASA conversion) are also eligible. F1 and M1 visa holders can pursue helicopter add-on training at Pelican.
Airplane pilots have a significant head start in helicopter training. Here is what carries over and what is new:
Most airplane pilots find that the transition is both challenging and rewarding. Hovering — keeping a helicopter stationary in the air — is the single biggest new skill. Your instructor at Pelican will dedicate focused time to mastering the hover before moving to maneuvers and cross-country flight. Most students achieve a stable hover within 5-10 hours of dual instruction.
The FAA governs add-on ratings under 14 CFR §61.63. Requirements differ depending on your current certificate level and whether you train under Part 61 or Part 141:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Medical Certificate | Your current FAA medical certificate (at least Third Class) is valid for helicopters — no new exam needed |
| Knowledge Test | For PPL-H add-on: not required if you already hold a PPL. For CPL-H add-on: the helicopter-specific knowledge test is required |
| Practical Test | A checkride with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) is always required for each add-on |
| Flight Hours | Reduced minimums apply — see the track table below for specific hours by certificate level |
| TSA Clearance | Required for international students. U.S. citizens are exempt. See our requirements page for details |
| English Proficiency | Already demonstrated through your existing certificate |
The key advantage: you do not repeat the knowledge test for a PPL-H add-on if you already hold a PPL in airplanes. You go straight to flight training and the practical test. For commercial add-ons, a helicopter-specific written test is required, but your existing ground knowledge significantly reduces study time.
Pelican Flight Training offers helicopter add-on training at every certificate level. Here is what each track looks like:
Hours shown are typical averages. Your actual training time depends on how quickly you adapt to rotorcraft flying. Airplane pilots with high total time (500+ hours) often complete add-ons faster because their overall airmanship is strong.
Pelican offers full-time and part-time scheduling. Full-time students fly 4-5 days per week and finish in the minimum timeframe. Part-time students fly 2-3 days per week — ideal if you are working or commuting to Miami for training. Contact our admissions team to build a custom schedule.
Helicopter add-on training is more affordable than starting from zero because you need fewer hours. Here is the estimated cost for each track at Pelican Flight Training:
| Add-On Track | Estimated Hours | Estimated Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PPL-H add-on | 30-40 hours | $18,950 | Aircraft, fuel, instructor, checkride |
| IR-H add-on | 15-20 hours | Contact for quote | Aircraft, fuel, instructor |
| CPL-H add-on | 40-50 hours | Contact for quote | Aircraft, fuel, instructor, checkride |
| CFI-H add-on | 20-30 hours | Contact for quote | Aircraft, fuel, instructor |
All prices include aircraft rental (Schweizer 300C), fuel, instructor time, and ground briefings. The checkride aircraft fee is included where noted. Training materials may be additional.
Compare this to training from zero: the full PPL-H program for beginners starts at $18,950, and a complete Helicopter Professional Pilot Program (PPL through CFII) runs significantly more. As an add-on student, you benefit from reduced hours at every level. See our payment options for financing and installment plans.
Holding both airplane and helicopter certificates makes you one of the most versatile pilots in the job market. Here is why it matters:
Many of our graduates who started as airplane pilots and added helicopter ratings now work in EMS, law enforcement aviation, and corporate transport — roles they could not have accessed with only an airplane certificate.
Pelican Flight Training has been training helicopter pilots since 1983. Here is why airplane pilots choose us for their add-on training:
Not sure if helicopter training is right for you? Start with a helicopter discovery flight ($299) to experience rotorcraft flying before committing to a full add-on program.
Adding a helicopter rating at Pelican Flight Training is straightforward:
Most add-on students begin training within 1-2 weeks of application. Call (305) 877-9069 or message us on WhatsApp to discuss your specific situation.
It depends on your current certificate level. A PPL-H add-on for airplane PPL holders typically requires 30-40 hours of helicopter flight time. A CPL-H add-on requires approximately 40-50 hours. CFI-H add-ons average 20-30 hours. Your actual hours may be less if you have high total airplane time. See the add-on tracks table for all paths.
For a PPL-H add-on, no written test is required if you already hold an airplane PPL. For a CPL-H add-on, a helicopter-specific knowledge test is required. Your existing ground knowledge covers most of the material, so preparation time is significantly reduced. Check our requirements page for the full breakdown.
No. Your current FAA medical certificate is valid for helicopter flying. You do not need a new exam or a different class of medical. Just make sure your existing medical is not expired. Visit our requirements page for details on medical certificate validity.
Yes. Your airplane certificate remains valid throughout helicopter training. Many add-on students continue flying airplanes on weekends while training helicopters during the week. Pelican also has Cessna 152, Cessna 172, and Piper aircraft if you want to stay current at the same school.
The biggest difference is hovering — keeping a helicopter stationary in the air requires simultaneous coordination of cyclic, collective, and pedals. Airplanes do not hover. Helicopters also have unique emergency procedures (autorotations instead of glides), different aerodynamics (retreating blade stall, translational lift), and can operate in confined areas. Read about our helicopter PPL program for a detailed curriculum overview.
Absolutely. Pelican offers flexible scheduling for add-on students. You can train 2-3 days per week (part-time) or 4-5 days per week (full-time). Some students fly to Miami for intensive 2-3 week training blocks, then return home and come back for additional blocks. Contact our admissions team to build a schedule that works for you.
Your instrument flying skills transfer, but the FAA requires a separate helicopter instrument rating (IR-H) checkride. The good news: you already understand approaches, holds, and instrument scan — so training time is significantly reduced (typically 15-20 hours). You may also be eligible for a knowledge test waiver.
All helicopter training at Pelican Flight Training uses the Schweizer 300C — a light piston helicopter with dual controls, excellent visibility, and a proven safety record. It is one of the most cost-efficient training helicopters available, which means more flight hours for your budget. See our complete fleet.
Yes. If you hold a valid FAA pilot certificate (whether earned in the US or through ICAO/EASA conversion), you are eligible for a helicopter add-on at Pelican. International students on F1 or M1 visas can also pursue add-on training. TSA clearance is required for non-US citizens.
It is a great idea. A helicopter discovery flight lets you experience rotorcraft flying for $299 (30 minutes) before committing to a full add-on program. The flight time counts toward your PPL-H if you decide to continue. Many of our add-on students started with a discovery flight.
You already know how to fly. Now learn to hover. Contact Pelican Flight Training to discuss your add-on pathway and start date.
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