Helicopter Private Pilot Syllabus and Lesson Plans, Part 141

by Philip Greenspun, Josh Maciejewski, 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


These lesson plans take a student with no flying experience up to the Private certificate level in the Rotorcraft-Helicopter category.

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: The student must be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language and hold at least a current third class medical certificate.

Objectives: The student will obtain the aeronautical skill and experience necessary to meet the requirements of a Private Pilot certificate with a Rotorcraft category rating and a Helicopter class rating.

Grading System: Each flight lesson is graded by the instructor; each stage check is graded by the authorized check instructor. Each stage must be satisfactorily completed before advancing to the next stage. Unsatisfactory grades on any stage check will require additional instruction before a re-check is allowed. Each item will be graded with one of the following: Above Standard, Meets Standard, or Below Standard.

Flight Training: Stage 1

19.5 Hours Dual.

Flight Training: Stage 2

8.5 Hours Dual (1.5 Hours Night); 4.0 Hours Solo.

Flight Training: Stage 3

8.25 Hours Dual (1.5 Hours Night, 5.0 Hours X-C). 6.0 Hours Solo (3.5 Hours X-C).

Completion standards for the flight training course: Please refer to the completion standards within each stage check.

Minimum Course Completion Times

Total Night Cross-Country
Dual 36.25 3.0 5.0
Solo 10.0 0.0 3.5
Total 46.25 3.0 8.5

Ground Training Course

Objective: The student will obtain the necessary aeronautical knowledge and meet the prerequisites specified in FAR part 61 for the Private Pilot - Helicopter knowledge test.

Completion Standards: The student will demonstrate through oral and written tests and records that he/she meets the prerequisites specified in FAR part 61 and has the necessary aeronautical knowledge to pass the Private Pilot - Helicopter knowledge test.

For initial certification students, the 35.5 hours of ground training will be accomplished in 3 stages. Each of these instructional units is described in the succeeding pages. For additional aircraft rating students, Ground Stage I, consisting of 14.5 hours, is the only required stage.

Ground Stage I

During Ground Stage I (Lessons 1-8; 14.5 hours), the student will study helicopter components, systems, instruments, basic aerodynamics, and the principles of helicopter flight. The student will also study radio communications, airport and heliport operations, helicopter performance and limitations, weight and balance calculations, and the Federal Aviation Regulations.

Ground Stage I will be complete when the student has passed the Ground Stage I 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

During Ground Stage II (Lessons 9-14; 10 hours), the student will be introduced to aviation weather, the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), and the services available to pilots.

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 before advancing to Ground Stage II.

Ground Stage III

During Ground Stage III (Lessons 15-21; 11 hours), the student will be introduced to VFR charts, the flight computer, the navigation plotter, radio navigation, cross-country planning, and psychological considerations. The student will also extensively study the Federal Aviation Regulations.

Ground Stage III will be complete when the student has passed the Ground Stage III and Final 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.

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