What You Need for Helicopter Flight School: A Complete Guide

Hey aspiring pilots! Hope you’re enjoying your journey so far! Today, we’re diving into something every aspiring pilot wonders about—what gear do you really need to buy for your helicopter training?

Talk to Your Flight Instructor First

Before you start spending your hard-earned money, talk to your instructor. They can tell you what’s necessary and what the flight school already provides. For instance, I bought my own headset because I read online that it was essential. Turns out, the flight school always had a pair in the helicopter, so I didn’t need mine after all! Some schools have ‘loaner’ headsets, but students are often encouraged to buy their own.

If you do need to purchase something like a headset, plotter, or E6B, don't just go for the cheapest option. Invest in good quality gear that will last you decades—you’ll never regret it.

Recommended Study Materials

You’ll need a number of books to study from. Here’s a kit that has all the books and materials you’ll need for your private license:

• ASA Private Pilot Helicopter Kit: This kit is comprehensive and includes all the essential study materials. Just Google: ‘ASA Private Pilot Helicopter Kit’ to find it.

  

If your goal is to become a commercial pilot, consider getting the Jeppesen Professional Logbook. Google: ‘Jeppesen Professional Logbook’ for more information.

All FAA books are available for free in digital form. I recommend downloading the Helicopter Flying Handbook and Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge from the FAA website.

Optional Recommended Items

Here are some optional items that can enhance your training experience:

• FlyBoys Reversible Kneeboard FB3316: Great for keeping your notes and checklists organized.

• Headsets: Consider high-quality headsets like the Bose A30 or Lightspeed Delta Zulu.

• Don't forget your GA to Helicopter Adapter

• iPad mini & ForeFlight: This app is available in the Apple store and is a fantastic tool for flight planning and navigation.

• Brightline Bags B7 Flight Pilot Bag: Ideal for carrying all your gear efficiently.

Action Items

• Talk to Your Instructor: Ask them about their book and material recommendations before making any expensive purchases.

And remember, if you’re worried about the cost of flight school, we have a fantastic course called "How to Pay for Flight School" that can help you manage the expenses and make your dream of flying more affordable.

Stay motivated and keep those rotors spinning!

Fly safe,

Ryan

P.S. I know how expensive flight schools and supplies can be. If you need help finding money for flight school, check out my course titled 'How to Pay for Flight School'.