Sign up for helicopter flight school in your area. Call local airports to find a local flight school. Choose a flight school that has multiple helicopters and multiple trainers to increase your chance for air time. The right flight school will also help you prepare for certification testing and facilitate the helicopter pilot license tests at its location. Meet with each trainer and choose one that has a lot of experience. You should also have a good rapport with your trainer as helicopter training can be stressful.
Start your helicopter training on the ground. Learn about energy management using altitude and forward speed before you ever lift off the ground. Your ground training will also include learning about the helicopter blade velocity and the tactics you take at different altitudes, according to Greenspun. Learn how to read the various gauges and dials on the helicopter dashboard during ground training as well.
Take helicopter flight lessons in the air once you have finished your ground training. Fly alongside your instructor as he guides you through how to maneuver the helicopter in low and high altitudes. Practice flying the helicopter both slowly and quickly during your air training, as the speed of this aircraft is variable. In-air helicopter flight training will also teach you how to hover in midair, which is one of the most difficult techniques according to Greenspun.
Take the written test portion of the helicopter pilot license process. Your flight school will set you up with this test. Bring photo identification and proof that you have attended flight training school, such as a certificate of graduation or a written statement from your flight instructor. The written test will evaluate your knowledge of helicopter flight in such areas as accident reporting, aircraft safety, preflight actions and the principles of aerodynamics. Your flight instructor should have covered all of these aspects during the ground portion of your training.
Schedule the practical portion of your helicopter pilot test. This portion takes place in the sky. The flight school will allow you to use one of their helicopters for the test. Bring your pilot application FAA Form 8710-1, the grade for your written test, your pilot logbook and your graduation certificate, according to the FAA. The test will focus on the Pilot Practical Test Standards covered by your flight instructor. Show your proficiency in hovering, low- and high-altitude helicopter maneuvers and speed tests. Once you have passed your practical test and sent in your application, you'll be able to get your helicopter license.