Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

The following hours of training are required to meet the outcomes for this course, and will be provided by PCC's contracted flight training provider under PCC supervision. Outcomes will be assessed by written, oral and practical (flight) tests. Flight training fees for this class are based on these hours. If the outcomes for this course are met in fewer hours then listed here, unused flight training fees will be returned to the student or funding provider, as appropriate.

The checkride/written test estimate includes funding for one FAA knowledge test ($165), a designated examiner fee ($600), and two hours of aircraft rental at the R22 solo rate.

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:
a. Qualify to take the FAA Helicopter Private Pilot knowledge and practical tests;
b. Take responsibility as Pilot In Command to competently perform pre-flight duties and all other procedures necessary for the safe conduct of a flight as a Private Pilot;
c. Draw from a broad base of experience gained from training scenarios to exercise safe judgment in all flight related decisions.

Evaluation methods will include written, oral, and practical testing. Evaluation levels will meet or exceed those defined by FAA-S-8081-15A (or subsequent edition) Private Pilot Rotorcraft Helicopter Practical Test Standards, and required under 14 CFR 141," FAA Approved Training Course.

The following lists the required areas of training for the Private Pilot certificate under CFR Title 14 Part 141:

(1) Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations for private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;

(2) Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;

(3) Applicable subjects of the “Aeronautical Information Manual” and the appropriate FAA advisory circulars;

(4) Aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems;

(5) Radio communication procedures;

(6) Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;

(7) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence;

(8) Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance;

(9) Weight and balance computations;

(10) Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems;

(11) If the course of training is for an airplane category or glider category rating, stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques;

(12) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and

(13) Preflight action that includes—

(i) How to obtain information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements; and

(ii) How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered. 

(3) For a rotorcraft helicopter course:

(i) Preflight preparation;

(ii) Preflight procedures;

(iii) Airport and heliport operations;

(iv) Hovering maneuvers;

(v) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;

(vi) Performance maneuvers;

(vii) Navigation;

(viii) Emergency operations;

(ix) Night operations; and

(x) Postflight procedures.