The average cost of a private helicopter license training program is around $30,000 to $40,000. This is due to the high cost of helicopters and the maintenance required to keep them safe and within FAA regulations. The typical helicopter hourly rental rate is between $225 and $350, depending on the model of rotor aircraft you train in. Most training academies use the more cost-effective Robinson R-22 helicopters for the initial license trainings.
As a private helicopter pilot you are required to achieve a minimum of 40 hours of flight training before being allowed to test for your "ticket." Solos, dual solos -- where you fly the routes with your certified flight instructor (CFI) -- night flight hours, hovering, rescues, auto rotations and ground reference maneuvers are all required during the training phase.
The costs begin to soar when going for a commercial helicopter license. This is due to the FAA regulations that you have a minimum of 150 hours before you earn a commercial rating. You train in communications, advanced instrument flying, rescues and auto rotations, and getting endorsed in a variety of different rotor aircraft. Coursework includes ground school, physics, upkeep and incident command.
In addition to the two levels of pilot licenses offered at helicopter flight schools, endorsements may be earned for rescue flying, EMT and emergency medical flight operations, floats, mountain and "sling" loading -- where a cable is run under the helicopter and a cargo net is filled with goods for you to "sling" to a chosen destination. These options are additional costs and have varying levels of required hours for the endorsement.