Helicopter Pilot Courses

An introductory flight provides you, the prospective student with the opportunity to experience what it feels like, to take control and be the pilot of a training helicopter. Before this flight the instructor will guide you through the pre-flight inspection and explain the workings of the aircraft controls and instruments. If you feel comfortable, you will actually do most of the flying yourself. Once you have decided to enrol for a helicopter course at our flight school, the introductory flight time will count towards your Private Pilot Licence.

ATS (Aviation Towards Success is a CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) approved helicopter training and helicopter charter organisation that provides helicopter pilot courses and helicopter hire. We are based at Grand Central Airport in Midrand, offering the ideal training location for pilot courses in a student-friendly airspace environment.

By choosing an ATS helicopter course, you have already taken the first step towards a future in aviation. We would like to take this opportunity to assure you that our approach to training for pilot courses will always be professional and punctual. We will always treat you with respect and operate with integrity. Our motto says it all:

"By combining honesty, integrity and respect, ATS delivers professional yet personal training excellence, building the foundation for lasting relationships"

Our helicopter pilot courses are conducted in one of three different types of helicopters However, if you prefer to do your helicopter course in your own helicopter we will gladly accommodate you.

Robinson R22 – a very agile and manoeuvrable two-seater piston engine helicopter. (Weight limitation for the prospective pilot is 95 kg)
Robinson R44 – more powerful four-seater piston engine helicopter
Alouette II – a turbine engine five-seater helicopter (at a comparable rate to the R44)

The CAA requires a minimum of 50 hours of flight training as part of the helicopter pilot courses to obtain a PPL (Private Pilot’s License). 35 of these hours are flown dual (with an instructor) and a further 15 hours are flown solo, but still under instructor supervision.

There is no age limit for starting your PPL helicopter course. However, you must be 16 years of age before you can go solo. You must also obtain an Aviation Approved Medical Certificate before going solo.

ATS operates 6 days a week, Monday to Saturday from 07h00 to 18h00. The training sessions for the helicopter pilot courses are divided into two-hourly slots. This provides you, as student and the instructor with ample time in which to do a theoretical briefing in order to prepare you for your flight. After this briefing you will fly approximately one hour and then you will be de-briefed on your progress.

Sabrina, our training operations manager, will gladly assist you in booking an instructor and aircraft for time slots most suitable to you.

There are 8 theoretical examinations that must be passed as part of the helicopter pilot courses before your practical PPL flight test. The exams consist of: