Helicopter Commercial Pilot Syllabus and Lesson Plans, Part 141

by Philip Greenspun and Kasim Te; updated August 2010

Site Home : Flying : Helicopter Instruction (Part 141) : One Course

Developed for students at East Coast Aero Club which operated under FAR Part 141 from July 2008 through July 2010.

Want to start training in Boston with East Coast Aero Club? Call 781-274-6322 to enroll, or email philg@mit.edu


Flight Training Course

The flight training syllabus is divided into three sequential stages. To provide a degree of flexibility for adapting to individual student needs and the training environment, the sequence may be altered within the individual stage at the discretion of the flight instructor. These deviations shall not disturb the course continuity or objective. In addition, these deviations should be noted in the student's flight training record.

Enrollment Prerequisites: Prior to enrolling in this course a student must hold at least a private pilot rotorcraft helicopter certificate.

Objective: The student will obtain the aeronautical skill and experience necessary to meet the requirements for a commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating. This training program consists of 30 hours of dual flight training (minimum) and 10 hours of solo flight training (minimum). A total of 115 flight hours are required to complete this program.

Completion Standards: The student will demonstrate through practical tests and school records that he/she has the necessary aeronautical skill and experience to obtain a commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating.

CPL-H 141 FAR Requirements

Flight Stage I

10 hours dual (including 0.75 hours simulated IMC) and 5 hours solo

Objective: Stage one reviews helicopter maneuvers expected of a privately-rated helicopter pilot, with an eye towards sharpening precision in all areas. Stage one also introduces commercial pilot elements, such as precision hovering, precision autorotations, simulated emergencies, and instrument flying. The student will also complete at least three hours of day VFR solo work.

Completion Standards: At the end of stage one, the student should fly all helicopter maneuvers consistently with at least private-level precision. The student should display awareness of and development towards commercial level standards.

Flight Stage II

11.0 hours dual (including 5.5 hours simulated IMC) and 4 hours solo (including 2 hours night)

Objective: During stage two, the student will continue work on instrument flight, fulfill all cross-country requirements, and begin solo night work.

Completion Standards: The student should demonstrate the complete and accurate planning of VFR cross-country flights and safe conduct of those flights using pilotage, dead reckoning and navigation systems. The student will also have completed all the required instrument work and at least 60% of night solo time for the commercial license.

Flight Stage III

9.0 hours dual; 3.0 hours solo night

Objective: Stage three will train the student to fly consistently to commercial PTS standards.

Completion Standards: This stage will be completed when the student has demonstrated all PTS maneuvers to the commercial pilot standards on the stage three check. The student must also have at least 115 hours total time in aircraft in order to complete stage three.

Ground Training Course

30.0 hours ground

Objective: The student will obtain the necessary aeronautical knowledge for a commercial pilot certificate in helicopters.

Completion Standards: The student will demonstrate through practical tests, written tests, and records that he/she meets the prerequisites specific in CFR part 61, and has knowledge necessary to pass the commercial pilot knowledge test.

Ground Stage I

15.0 hours ground

Objective: During ground stage one, the student will study helicopter components, systems, instruments, aerodynamics, helicopter flight, radio communications, airport and heliport operations, helicopter performance and limitations, weight and balance calculations, FARs, aeronautical decision making, and crew resource management.

Completion standards: Ground stage one will be complete when the student has passed the ground stage one written examination written examination with a minimum score of 70%. The instructor will review each incorrect response with the student to assure complete understanding before advancing to Ground Stage II.

Ground Stage II

15.0 hours ground.

Objective: Ground stage two covers an introduction to instrument flying, weather, VFR charts, cross-country planning, night flying, aeromedical factors, Part 135 and Part 121 operations, and turbine helicopters.

Completion Standards: Ground Stage II will be complete when the student has passed the Ground Stage II written examination with a minimum score of 70%. The instructor will review each incorrect response with the student to assure complete understanding.

Additional Documents

If you would like to adapt these plans for your own use, please feel free as long as it is within the terms of my online copyright statement.


Text Copyright 2006-8 Philip Greenspun.
philg@mit.edu