10 differences between Private Helicopter Pilot (PPLH) and Commercial Helicopter Pilot (CPLH)

10 differences between Private Helicopter Pilot (PPLH) and Commercial Helicopter Pilot (CPLH)

1. WHAT CAN YOU DO?

   If you're Private Pilot helicopter, you can fly whenever you feel like it but only by doing a private use of the helicopter, you will never be able to do paid work.
   Being a private pilot involves acting without remuneration as pilot or co-pilot of any helicopter used on unpaid flights. In this case you will not be able to work as a pilot for any company or earn money for it. To do this you must take the course Private helicopter pilot or PPL(H).

   If you're Commercial pilot, you can work as a pilot in any company.
   The course of Commercial Helicopter Pilot or CPL(H) grants the pilot the ability to practice the profession of professional helicopter pilot on a paid basis, while also being qualified to transport passengers.

2. WHAT'S THE PRICE?

   There is a big price difference between the license Private helicopter pilot PPL(H) and the license Commercial Helicopter Pilot CPL(H). But, as we have already explained before, the functions of each one are also very different, in the first you cannot work as a pilot, however, in the second you can.

   – If you choose to be private pilot, the price of the course Private helicopter pilot PPL(H) round of the €18,000 to €25,000, depending on the company that offers it.

   – If, on the other hand, you want to work as commercial pilot, the course of Commercial Helicopter Pilot CPL(H) goes from the 55,000 to 70,000€.

3. MINIMUM AGE

   The minimum age at which you can start taking the helicopter pilot license also varies depending on whether it is Private or Commercial.
   To start studying the course private pilot, you must have at least 17 years. Instead, to be commercial pilot, you must have already reached the age of majority, that is, 18 years.

4. THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

   In the pilot license, both private and commercial, specific exams must be passed to obtain the corresponding medical certificate.

   – In the case of the license Private helicopter pilot, it is necessary Class II medical certificate. This certificate is mandatory only for General Aviation pilots (those who fly as a hobby). Since the holder is not engaged in commercial activities, the certificate is not as restrictive, however, the holder of the medical certificate must be able both mentally and physically to safely exercise the privileges of the relevant license.

   – For the license Commercial Helicopter Pilot it is necessary the Class I medical certificate . This certificate is a requirement for all pilots involved in Commercial Aviation. This certificate has the most restrictive medical standards. The holder of a medical certificate must be physically and mentally fit to safely exercise the privileges of the relevant license.

5. THE COURSE (differences 5, 6, 7 and 8)

   As we have already seen, the two licenses are different in almost everything, so the course is also different.
   At this point we have put together differences 5, 6, 7 and 8 to summarize the course in a single block and be able to better see what each one is about.

    

   Course to obtain the license Private helicopter pilot
   Theoretical hours: 350 hours
   Flight hours: 185 hours
   Course duration: 6 to 12 months
   Expiration: The pilot's license does not expire. What does expire are the licenses (1 year) and the medical certificate (if you are under 40 years old you must renew it every 5 years; if you are over 40 years old, every 2 years).

   Course to obtain the license Commercial Helicopter Pilot
   Theoretical hours: 106 hours
   Flight hours: 45 hours
   Course duration: from 18 to 24 months
   Expiration: The pilot's license does not expire. What does expire are the licenses (1 year) and the Medical Certificate (if you are under 40 years old you must renew it every year; if you are over 40 years old, every 6 months).

6. WHAT OUTPUTS DOES IT HAVE? (9)

   This is the big question that everyone who wants to be a helicopter pilot asks. As you can already guess, after everything we have told you about the differences in licenses and courses, the private pilot cannot work as such, can only use the helicopter with recreational or hobby purposes. On the other hand the commercial pilot, can work for pay in a variety of jobs. For example: police pilot, firefighter pilot, rescue pilot, rescue pilot, passenger transport pilot, surveillance helicopter pilot, helicopter flight instructor...

7. WHEN WILL YOU FLY IN A HELICOPTER? (10)

   We already know that it is not the same to be private pilot that commercialTherefore, it is not the same fly when you can as a hobby, that make flying your job and spend the day in the air.

We leave you an infographic to summarize all the information that we have described in this post:

Now you can be a pilot! For more information call us at 937 304 911 or send us an email to [email protected].