Our complete helicopter pilot training program takes you from zero flight experience to five FAA certificates: Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, CFI, and CFII. Graduate ready to work — with CPT and OPT work authorization for international students.
Train at a FAA Part 141 and ACCSC accredited helicopter flight school in Miami, Florida. Fly 365 days a year on the Schweizer 300C.
Becoming a helicopter pilot requires earning a series of FAA certificates and ratings. The typical path from zero experience to a professional, employable pilot is:
Pelican's Professional Helicopter Pilot Program bundles all five certificates into a single, structured training track — saving time and money compared to completing each course separately.
The Professional Helicopter Pilot Program is a FAA Part 141 approved, ACCSC accredited training track that awards five FAA certificates and ratings:
By completing the program as a bundle, you benefit from a structured curriculum with seamless progression between stages, priority scheduling, and a lower total cost compared to enrolling in each course separately.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the complete helicopter pilot training program — each stage, its duration, flight hours, and individual cost:
| Stage | Duration | Ground | Flight / Sim | Individual Cost | Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPL-H | 3–4 months | 35 hrs | 35 hrs flight + 6 hrs sim | $18,950 | Yes |
| IR-H | 6–8 weeks | 30 hrs | 20.5 hrs flight + 18.5 hrs sim | $16,300 | Yes |
| CPL-H | 2–3 months | 20 hrs | 66.5 hrs flight + 11 hrs sim | $26,359 | Yes |
| CFI-H | 4–6 weeks | 20 hrs | 15 hrs flight | $9,233 | Yes |
| CFII-H | 2–4 weeks | 10 hrs | 10 hrs flight | ~$5,500 | Yes |
| TOTAL | ~18 months | 115 hrs | 147 hrs flight + 35.5 hrs sim | ~$76,342 separate | $75,380 bundle |
Bundle savings: Enrolling in the full program costs $75,380 — less than the sum of individual courses. You also save time with seamless transitions between stages and priority scheduling.
The total cost of the Professional Helicopter Pilot Program at Pelican:
We are not asking for payments upfront. You will start paying for training when your visa is approved and you arrived in USA.
| Program Type | Typical Cost (Zero to CFI) |
|---|---|
| University helicopter program (4-year degree) | $100,000 – $150,000+ |
| Part 141 flight school (average) | $75,000 – $95,000 |
| Part 61 independent training | $70,000 – $110,000 |
| Pelican Flight Training (Part 141) | $75,380 |
Payment structure: 30% first payment upon arrival, remainder paid in 3–4 stages as you progress. International students do not pay upfront. View payment options.
At Pelican, the complete Professional Helicopter Pilot Program takes approximately 18 months full-time (based on FAA Part 141 minimum time requirements).
| Training Pace | Total Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (5–6 days/week) | 14–18 months | International students, career-track pilots |
| Part-time (3 days/week) | 24–30 months | Working professionals |
Why Florida is faster: South Florida's year-round VFR weather means virtually zero weather cancellations. Students at northern flight schools routinely lose 4–6 months of training per year due to weather — that does not happen in Miami.
All helicopter flight training at Pelican is conducted on the Schweizer 300C — one of the most widely used training helicopters in the United States.
| Specification | Schweizer 300C |
|---|---|
| Engine | Lycoming HIO-360-D1A, 190 hp |
| Rotor system | Fully articulated, 3-blade main rotor |
| Seating | 3 seats (1 instructor + 2 students) |
| IFR equipped | Yes — Garmin navigation panel for instrument training |
| Why this helicopter? | Forgiving handling, rugged construction, industry-standard trainer used by civilian and military programs worldwide |
In addition to the Schweizer 300C, Pelican uses the FLYIT helicopter simulator (FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Device) for instrument approach practice, emergency procedures, and cost-effective skill building. View our complete aircraft fleet.
Graduates of the Professional Helicopter Pilot Program are qualified to work as flight instructors immediately — and Pelican regularly hires its own graduates. From there, you build hours toward higher-paying positions:
| Career Stage | Min. Hours | Salary (USD/year) | Time After Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFI / CFII (first job) | 200–300 | $30,000 – $55,000 | Immediately |
| Tour Pilot | 500–1,000 | $40,000 – $55,000 | 6–12 months |
| Utility / Agriculture | 500–1,500 | $50,000 – $75,000 | 1–2 years |
| Law Enforcement | 1,000–2,000 | $60,000 – $85,000 | 1–3 years |
| EMS / HEMS | 2,000–3,000 | $70,000 – $100,000 | 2–4 years |
| Offshore / Oil & Gas | 2,000+ | $80,000 – $120,000 | 3–5 years |
| Corporate / VIP | 2,500+ | $90,000 – $130,000+ | 3–5 years |
Boeing's Pilot and Technician Outlook projects over 600,000 new pilots needed globally by 2042, with North America requiring 130,000+. Helicopter pilots make up less than 10% of all licensed pilots — demand far exceeds supply. Read more on our pilot demand page.
Pelican Flight Training has been training helicopter and airplane pilots at North Perry Airport (KHWO) since 1985. Here is why students from over 50 countries choose our helicopter pilot school in Florida:
See what our graduates have achieved and read student reviews.
Pelican welcomes students from over 50 countries. Our Professional Pilot Program is specifically designed to provide international students with the best path to a helicopter career in the USA.
| Visa Type | Training | Work Authorization After Training |
|---|---|---|
| F-1 Visa | Full Professional Pilot Program | CPT (up to 6 months) + OPT (up to 12 months) = 18 months total of paid instructor work |
| M-1 Visa | Individual courses or full program | Practical training (1 month per 4 months of study) |
Pelican issues I-20 forms directly — no university enrollment required. All non-US citizens must complete TSA AFSP registration. See our complete international student guide.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | At least 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Language | Read, speak, write, and understand English |
| Medical Certificate | FAA second-class medical (arranged after arrival) |
| Prior experience | None required — program starts from zero |
| International students | Valid passport + visa (F-1 or M-1) + TSA clearance |
See full admission requirements or contact our admissions team with questions.
Pelican's complete program (PPL through CFII) costs $75,380. This includes all ground school, flight time, simulator, briefings, and checkride aircraft fees. Additional costs: FAA exams (~$875 total), DPE fees (~$3,500–$5,000), medical (~$200), and living expenses. The industry average for zero-to-CFI is $75,000–$110,000. View payment options.
Full-time students complete the program in 14–18 months. Part-time takes 24–30 months. Florida's year-round weather eliminates the seasonal delays that add 4–6 months at northern schools. After graduation, you can start working as a flight instructor immediately.
Five FAA certificates/ratings: (1) Private Pilot — Helicopter, (2) Instrument Rating — Helicopter, (3) Commercial Pilot — Helicopter, (4) Certified Flight Instructor — Helicopter, (5) Certified Flight Instructor Instrument — Helicopter.
No. The program starts from zero. You will begin with basic helicopter flight in the Private Pilot course and progress through each certificate. All you need is a high school diploma, English proficiency, and an FAA medical certificate (arranged after enrollment).
Helicopter training is demanding but achievable with dedication. The hover is considered the hardest part for most students — it typically takes 5–10 hours of practice. After that, progress accelerates. A structured Part 141 program like Pelican's makes the process more manageable with milestone-based training and regular instructor feedback.
Yes. F-1 visa students qualify for CPT (6 months) and OPT (12 months) — up to 18 months of paid work as a flight instructor in the USA. M-1 visa students receive practical training proportional to study duration. Pelican regularly hires its own graduates. See our international student guide.
All training is conducted on the Schweizer 300C — one of the most widely used training helicopters in the USA. It features a fully articulated 3-blade rotor system, IFR instrumentation with Garmin navigation, and forgiving handling characteristics. We also use the FLYIT simulator (FAA-approved AATD) for instrument training. View our fleet.
Yes. Entry-level CFI positions pay $30,000–$55,000. After building hours: EMS pilots earn $70,000–$100,000, offshore pilots $80,000–$120,000, and corporate pilots $90,000–$130,000+. The investment in training typically pays for itself within 2–3 years of professional flying. See our pilot demand data.
Yes. Boeing projects 600,000+ new pilots needed globally by 2042. Helicopter pilots make up less than 10% of all licensed pilots, and demand is especially acute in EMS, firefighting, law enforcement, and offshore sectors. The pilot shortage means faster career progression and higher starting salaries. Read more.
Part 141 follows FAA-approved structured curricula with lower minimum hours and mandatory stage checks. Part 61 is more flexible but often requires more total hours. Pelican's Professional Program uses Part 141 for maximum efficiency. The school is FAA Part 141 approved and ACCSC accredited.
Pelican is an ACCSC accredited institution approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Veterans should contact our admissions team to discuss VA benefit eligibility for specific programs.
If you hold a PPL-H, you can enroll in the remaining stages individually: Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, CFI, and CFII. Contact admissions to discuss a customized training plan and pricing.
No. Payment is structured: 30% first payment upon arrival, remainder in 3–4 stages as you progress through training. International students do not pay anything until their visa is approved and they arrive in the USA. View payment details.
Helicopter pilots access unique career sectors unavailable to airplane pilots: EMS, offshore, firefighting, law enforcement, and SAR. The helicopter community is smaller (less than 10% of pilots), which means less competition and faster career advancement. Many helicopter jobs offer better lifestyle balance than airline flying. Pelican also offers airplane programs for pilots who want both.
Most graduates start as CFIs at Pelican or another flight school, earning $30,000–$55,000 while building 500–1,000 hours per year. After 2–4 years, you qualify for EMS, offshore, corporate, and law enforcement positions paying $70,000–$130,000+. See what our alumni have achieved.
Join pilots from over 50 countries who have launched their careers at Pelican Flight Training since 1985. From your first hover to your CFI certificate — we are with you every step.
FROM ZERO TO AIRLINE PILOT Commercial Pilot License in 10-15 months / Price $83,950 – Pay after visa approval
Get Commercial Pilot License based on 2 types of training visas M1/F1:
Foreign Pilot Conversion build 1500 hours of flight experience
Convert your ICAO / EASA license to FAA and take CFIs courses.
Become a CFI and build your flight expirience
Build 1500 hours airline hiring minimums.
Visa option: F1 – train, work, and gain experience in the USA
Learn more Start Flying
FROM PPL HOLDERS Commercial Pilot License in 10-15 months / Price $58,207 – pay after visa approval
Get Commercial Pilot License based on F1 Visa
All Programs airlane and helicopter programs
Need help?
Get free consultation with our school officer about your aviation career and find the best path to your goals.
Welcome to Pelican Flight Training, Florida's premier flight school offering one of the best training programs for pilots from around the world. We offer a structured program that will take you all the way from private pilot rank to ATP and airline readiness.
In this video, you'll learn what makes our flight school so special — the passion, the professionalism, and the world-class fleet of aircraft used for training. From your first flight to becoming a professional pilot, we will be with you every step of the way.
Take a look right now and see why training at Pelican isn't just about learning — it's about transformation.
Start Flying
Want to become a pilot? Get a free consultation today!
Fill out the form and get a free PDF guide: ‘Your First Steps to an Airline Career’!
We will be happy to personally assist you in making decision for your future airline career by providing you with all the information you might need and providing answers to all of your questions. Please complete the form, and we will be in touch with you soon.
