COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER
PILOT LICENCE
Aviation is a very fulfilling and rewarding career with each day offering new challenges. With such a broad range of industry sectors available and overseas opportunities, there has never been a better time to invest in your future career.
Every journey starts with a first step, so congratulations on making the first move toward your new career!

GETTING STARTED
WHAT ARE YOUR REQUIREMENTS?
Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of your flight test
You must be an Australian citizen; OR
A permanent humanitarian visa holder who will be a resident of Australia for the duration of the unit of study; OR
Are a qualifying New Zealand citizen and met the requirements, which are:
- hold a special visa category, such as the New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV);
- has been usually resident in Australia for at least 10 years;
- was a dependent child when he or she was first usually resident in Australia;
- has been in Australia for periods totalling 8 years during the previous 10 years; and
- has been in Australia for periods totalling 18 months during the previous 2 years.
The Symbiotics ADAPT assessment must be completed and passed prior to commencing your enrolment. The assessment is at a cost to you of $220 and takes approximately two hours to complete. Flight One School of Aviation would need to arrange this for you.
Symbiotics do offer practice tests to familiarise you with the testing process and better prepare you for the ADAPT assessment
You must provide a copy of your Australian Year 12 High School certificate; OR
- Provide evidence of successful completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework Certificate IV or higher qualification (where the language of instruction is English) or at a level in a framework that preceded the AQF that is equivalent to level 4 or above in the AQF; OR
- Displaying competence at Exit Level 3 in the Australian Core Skills Framework in both reading and numeracy through an approved BKSB Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) test which is conducted at Flight One School of Aviation. Flight One must reasonably believe that you show competence in completing the course.
You must hold a CASA Class 1 medical certificate to fly solo.
You must hold an ASIC (Aviation Security Identification Card) during your training.
COURSE STRUCTURE
Training Options
Commercial Pilot Licence - Helicopter
(Self Funded)
Our full-time course is ideal for those who wish to complete the commercial helicopter license self-funded and, therefore, not tied to a HECS debt. We will take you from zero experience right through to industry-ready in 28 weeks. Students will attend theory for three days per week, and flight schedules will vary according to operational requirements.
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28 Weeks Duration
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7 CASA Theory Exams
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85 Hours Robinson R22
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20 Hours Robinson R44
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6 Hours HeliMod Mark III Simulator
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Commercial Flight Test
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Low Level Flight Test
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Theory and Navigation Equipement
Part Time Commercial Pilot Licence - Helicopter
(Self Funded)
If full-time isn't an option, then our CPL course can also be completed part-time. The part-time course has no set schedule, which means that you choose when you want to fly a helicopter, and you dictate your own pace of learning.
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Variable Duration
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7 CASA Theory Exams
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Choice of R22, R44 or Bell206 Hours
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Commercial Flight Test
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Low Level Flight Test
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Theory and Navigation Equipement
AVI50322 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Helicopter)
In partnership with Flight One School of Aviation, RTO 31285, V2 Helicopters delivers AVI50322 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter). This formal qualification is designed to take you from having no experience in flying to becoming a fully qualified and highly employable pilot in 26 weeks. VET Student Loans is available for this qualification to eligible students.
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28 Weeks Duration
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16 Units of Competency
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7 CASA Theory Exams
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85 Hours Robinson R22
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20 Hours Robinson R44
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6 Hours HeliMod Mark III Simulator
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Commercial Flight Test
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Low Level Flight Test
-
Theory and Navigation Equipement
Next Full-Time Course Dates
- 13th January 2025 - Closed
- 7th April 2025 - Open
- 9th June 2025 - Open
- 1st September 2025 - Open
The Dreaded Theory Component
The practical flying is undoubtedly the most fun part of the process and is guaranteed to get you grinning from ear to ear. The theory component can be a little less exciting but is an essential part of becoming a helicopter pilot. Sometime before your helicopter flight test you must have passed 7 multiple choice theory exams covering the following 7 subjects:
- Human Factors (Study of the body’s limitations)
- Aircraft General Knowledge (Engine and Helicopter Systems)
- Aerodynamics (Understanding the various aerodynamic effects involved in flying)
- Meteorology (Study of the weather and how to read aviation forecasts)
- Navigation (How to read maps and plan flights)
- Air Law (Understanding the rules and regulations surrounding aviation)
- Operations Performance and Planning (How to calculate aircraft weight & balance)
Pricing & Plans
PART TIME TRAINING
Flying Hours
R22 Helicopter (Max Weight 105kg)
- Pay-as-you-go
$680 /Hour
- 10-Hour Block
$6600
R44 Helicopter (Max Weight 135kg)
- Pay-as-you-go
$1039 /Hour
- 10-Hour Block
$9990
Bell 206 (Max Weight 135kg)
- Pay-as-you-go
$1599 /Hour
- 10-Hour Block
$14,600
Theory
- Private Theory Course
- Human Factors
- Aircraft General Knowledge
- Aerodynamics
- Meteorology
- Navigation
- Air Law
- Ops, Performance and Planning
$7350
- CASA Exam Booking Fees
$169.34 – $195.45*
- CPL-H Resource Pack
$3259
Other
*Prices may vary depending on personal circumstances
BOOK A TRIAL LESSON
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V2 Helicopters Gift Voucher
$399.00 – $999.00 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Pilot Starter Pack
$289.00 – $799.00 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Helicopter Trial Flight Brisbane
$380.00 – $550.00 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Industry Sectors
- Aerial stock mustering
- Aerial photography and filming
- Scenic joyflights / tourism industry
- Flight instruction
- Bushfire fighting
- Powerline surveys
- Marine pilot transfers
- Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR)
- Police Air Work
- Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS)
- Corporate flights / general charter service
- Agricultural crop spraying and livestock herding
- Media, news and traffic reporting
- Offshore (oil industry) services
- Tuna spotting (Tuna Boats)
EMPLOYMENT
Upon completing your commercial helicopter licence the first thing you should do is research the market to identify which companies are currently employing pilots. Most first helicopter pilot jobs are in the tourism industry so this is a great place to start.
We keep an up to date a list of these tourism operators throughout Australia, complete with contact details exclusively available for V2 Helicopters students. Once you have identified which companies are currently employing, then you need to visit them in person. Always follow up and email with a phone call and, even better a visit in person. Try and set up a meeting beforehand though this is not always possible.
You may have to work on the ground for a period of time before being allocated a flying role. This is normal practice and should be seen as a valuable learning opportunity. We operate a busy charter operation at Archerfield and regularly offer our ex-students the chance to fly a helicopter conducting scenic flights around the Brisbane Area. This is a great opportunity to build your hours required and experience customer interaction.