Fixed Wing Transition

Pacific Air Academy has a specialized program for helicopter pilots, particularly former military pilots, particularly former military, transitioning to fixed wing private pilot. No written exam is required and the hours required are reduced as compared to those students who are flying for the first time.

Minimum Flight Hours for the Transition from Helicopter to Fixed Wing Private Pilot Certificate (as per FAR 61.109):

Private Pilot Requirements

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires a minimum of forty flight hours to obtain a private pilot's license. However, in reality the national average flight time as a student pilot is approximately 71 hours. Your actual flight time required, and the resulting cost of training, are dependent on your abilities, frequency of flight lessons, and the weather. Our experience shows that the average student needs about four months and 55 to 65 flight hours to complete training and earn their private pilot certificate.

Once you have taken a medical examination and received an FAA medical certificate you are ready to begin your training and preparation for solo flight. All flight instruction is on an individual basis and can be scheduled at your convenience. Ground training does not necessarily have to be completed before your first flight lesson. The ground training is in conjunction with your flight training and will prepare you to pass a national standardized written test.

Flight training is structured to teach you those skills that will allow you to operate an aircraft safely as a private pilot. The final phase of your training is a practical flight test in an aircraft that includes an oral exam on the knowledge you have gained during training. This exam is done with the FAA or a FAA designated examiner.

General aviation is a fun, exciting, and safe avocation.
We hope to see you in the air soon!

Minimum Course Requirements:

1. Obtain an FAA Third Class Medical Certificate
2. Hold a Private Pilot Helicopter Certificate
3. Pass an FAA Commercial Pilot Helicopter Knowledge Test
4. Pass an FAA Commercial Pilot Helicopter Practical Test
5. Obtain a minimum of 150 hours of flight time including the flight time in this course and 30 hours of ground instruction

Note: The average pilot could require additional dual instruction and additional ground instruciton in order to achieve the required proficiency to obtain the Commercial Pilot Certificate.It should be pointed out that Private Helicopter Pilots with more than 40 hours of logged flight time will be able to complete this course in less than the 110 hours listed in the Course Outline. The term "Solo" used above in the Course Outline indicates that the student is the sole occupant of the aircraft, and the term "Solo/PIC" indicates that the student is either the sole occupant of the aircraft or will act as the Pilot-In-Command (PIC) with an instructor or passenger on board. The rate for dual instruction applies on Solo/PIC flights when an instructor is on board.