The commercial pilot license is the prerequisite for being able to carry out commercial flights on behalf of a helicopter company - i.e. to be able to gain a professional foothold in aviation. There are two options available for training to become a professional pilot: modular or integrated training.

Modular professional pilot training
With this variant, you first complete private pilot training, then have a phase of building up your experience and then complete commercial pilot training, which you complete with 185 hours of total experience.

This time to build up your experience can be filled with private charter flights (you rent the helicopter privately) and possible further training such as type conversion training (type rating), the extension for mountain landings over 1100 m above sea level (MOU) and night flight (NIT). Theoretical training to become a commercial pilot can also begin in this intermediate phase. The subjects are identical to those of private pilot training but are discussed in much more depth at the professional pilot level.

The prerequisite for starting practical commercial pilot training is a total of at least 50 hours of solo flight experience and a minimum of 155 hours of total experience. Training to become a commercial pilot requires at least 30 hours of training flights, with which you reach the required minimum experience of 185 hours for the exam.

When taking the exam, 10 hours of simulated instrument flight and 5 hours of night flight must be demonstrated. If the hours of night flying have already been completed, they can be credited towards the training. The hours already spent in simulated instrument flight cannot be taken into account and are completed separately as part of the professional pilot training.

You can complete the entire training on a piston engine helicopter. However, in order to increase your chances of being employed later, it is recommended that you complete and complete at least certain parts of your training on a helicopter with a turbine engine.

The modular training can be completed part-time.

Integrated commercial pilot training
With the integrated course, you work directly towards the commercial pilot license; the intermediate step of the private pilot license is omitted.

In addition to the theoretical training, you need at least 135 hours of total flight experience. This training includes 50 hours of solo flight, 10 hours of simulated instrument flight and 5 hours of night flight.

The minimum duration of an integrated course is 9 months, the maximum duration is 24 months. The integrated course is completed full-time. You do not have the opportunity to complete this course part-time.

We would be happy to advise you on the various modules and options.

CPL(H) und ATPL(H) / IR theory
The Air Transport Pilot License (ATPL) or airline pilot license is the highest theoretical license that can be acquired as a helicopter pilot. This is required if you plan to fly as a crew member in a multi-pilot helicopter - i.e. in a helicopter with more than one pilot.

Swiss Helicopter offers three theory courses as part of the theory training for professional pilots:

• CPL(H) VFR: Commercial pilot license according to Visual Flight Rules
• ATPL(H) VFR: Airline pilot license according to Visual Flight Rules
• ATPL(H) IR: Airline pilot license with Instrument Flight Rules (Instrument Rating)

The course content of the theory courses is thematically analogous to a PPL training. Essentially, the course differs in the depth in which the topics are covered. The majority of the training takes place through self-study by the candidate. Always with the support of a responsible flight instructor. 10% of the course must take place on-site. The course content is divided into three face-to-face modules. Each of these modules contains a seminar which are covered twice a year in class room teaching. The lessons take place from Thursday to Sunday at one of the flight school bases. The acquired knowledge is then tested with a theory examination at FOCA.

You can find out more information about our theory offerings in the flight school calendar.

Info Sheet CPL(H)

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