Helicopter Instrument, Instrument 'Add-On' and
Instrument Flight Instructor (CFII) Requirements

Helicopter Instrument Rating Requirements

The Helicopter Instrument Rating is intended for those who intend to go on to advanced helicopter ratings or who plan to become professional helicopter pilots. Many professional helicopter jobs now REQUIRE a helicopter instrument rating. You can begin your instrument flight training in one of our two Schweizer 300 Instrument Training helicopters (one shown here, below) TODAY!

Your Instrument Instructor Rating (CFII) will allow you to teach other helicopter pilots to fly by reference to instruments, making you more employable as both an instructor and pilot (see below).
  • Must Posses at Least a Private Pilot Rating
  • Must Read, Write, Understand, and Speak English
  • Must have Logged at Least 50 hours of Cross-Country Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Flight Time
  • Must Pass an FAA Written Instrument "Knowledge Test" (Prior to Taking FAA Practical Flight Test)
  • Complete 40 hours Minimum Instrument Flight Time, 15 hours of which must be in a helicopter
  • Complete one (1) 100-nautical-mile instrument cross-country instructional flight which includes
    at least 3 different instrument approaches at 3 different airports
  • Must Pass an FAA Instrument Oral and Practical Flight Test (Checkride)
Estimated Training Costs: Helicopter Instrument Rating
(For those with no prior instrument training. Minimum of 40 Flight hrs)

Helicopter Instrument 'Add-On' Rating Requirements

The Helicopter Instrument 'Add-On' Rating is for those who already hold an Airplane Instrument Rating. You can begin your helicopter Instrument Flight Training in one of our two Schweizer 300 Instrument Training helicopters TODAY!

Your Instrument Instructor Rating (CFII) will allow you to teach other helicopter pilots to fly by reference to instruments, making you more employable as both an instructor and pilot (see below).
  • Must Hold at Least a Private Helicopter Pilot Rating
  • Must Hold an Airplane Instrument Rating
  • Must Have at Least 50 hours of Cross-Country Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Flight Time (can be in Airplanes or Helicopters)
  • NO ADDITIONAL FAA Written Instrument "Knowledge Test" is Required
  • Must Complete 15 hours Minimum Instrument Flight Training in a Helicopter
  • Must Complete one (1) 100-nautical-mile instrument cross-country instructional flight which includes
    at least 3 different instrument approaches (2 non-precision and one precision) at different airports
  • Must Pass an FAA Instrument Oral and Practical Flight Test (Checkride)
Estimated Training Costs: Helicopter Instrument 'Add-On' Rating
(For those with an Airplane Instrument Rating. Minimum of 15 Helicopter Flight hrs)

Helicopter Instrument Instructor (CFII) Rating Requirements

The Helicopter Instrument Instructor (CFII) Rating will allow you to teach other helicopter pilots to fly by reference to instruments, making you more employable as both an instructor and pilot.
  • Must Hold a Helicopter Instrument Rating
  • Must Complete the FAA's Helicopter Instrument Instructor Written "Knowledge Test"
  • Must Complete 3 hours Minimum Instrument Flight Training in a Helicopter in the 60 days Prior to the CFII Checkride
  • Must Pass an FAA CFII Instrument Oral and Practical Flight Test (Checkride)

Typical Instrument Panel
The Instrument Panel (shown below) on Midwest's Schweizer 300CBi Instrument Trainer (one of our two Schweizer Instrument Trainers) is fully-equipped to perform precision and non-precision instrument approaches and is equipped with the latest Garmin 430 IFR-Certified Global Positioning System (GPS) with built-in NAV-COM receivers. You will be training in a state-of-the-art Schweizer Instrument Trainer.
NOTE: Hourly rates shown are based on the advance purchase of 10-hour "blocks" of instrument flight training time. Add $10 per hour if training is purchased hour-by-hour. Rates are subject to change without notice. Students may elect to take an outside ground school or study on their own with Midwest's guidance for written exams. Supplemental individual personalized ground instruction (if requested) will be charged at current ground school instructor rates.

* Cost estimates are based on the FAA MINIMUM training requirements. The number of hours any individual may require depends on that person's abilities, personal initiative, desire to learn, outside study, and frequency of training.

Please call or E-Mail us with your specific questions.

Required Instrument Pilot Flight Training Experience
Ref FAR 61.65