Tailored to meet your needs
Centennial Helicopters is owned and run by people who love aviation and who have extensive experience. Our environment is casual and friendly, and we tailor your training to meet your needs. Learning to fly should be a fun and memorable experience. All the instruction at Centennial Helicopters, Inc. is given on a personal basis, affording you the best training possible.
While there are no special requirements to start, there are a few things that must be met to accomplish all phases of your training. To solo an aircraft you must be at least 16 years old, pass a physical from a FAA approved doctor and be able to read, speak and understand English. That's it! FAA regulations require you to have a minimum of 40 hours of flight time to become a private pilot. However, the average for most people is between 60 - 70 hours. Flight training will include time with the instructor (dual) and without the instructor (solo). It will also include night training and flights to other airports in the surrounding area. How long it take to complete the required training is up to you. We recommend that you schedule two lessons a week to complete the training
in eight to ten months.
We recommend that you schedule two lessons a week to complete the training in ten to twelve months. Each lesson will have costs associated with them, flight lessons average 1.0 to 1.2 hours, plus flight and ground instruction if applicable. The dollar cost depends on the helicopter flown. Other cost that you will encounter will be a FAA physical, approximately $175, a written test, approximately $160, and the flight check, approximately $450. Miscellaneous expense may include books, charts and other pilot supplies.
Not sure if it's for you, schedule an introductory flight!
You will receive approximately thirty minutes of ground instruction and forty-five minutes of hands on flight instruction in the R44 helicopter. The cost is $430.00. Call today to schedule, 203.798.9632.
Flight Training - Private
Initial
Prerequisite: Be at least 17 years of age
- 40 Hours of flight time (60-70 Hour average instruction
& solo)
- Meet the flight requirements of FAR 61
- Written test
- FAA Physical
- Practical flight test
Flight Training - Private
Add On
Prerequisite: Private Pilot Airplane
- 40 Hours of flight time (50-60 Hour average instruction
& solo)
- Meet the flight requirements of FAR 61
- Practical flight test
Flight Training - Instrument
Getting your Instrument rating you will become a better pilot
You will learn to precisely control the helicopter by reference to the Instruments, a skill that will carry over to your VFR flights too. You will gain a much better understanding of the ATC system for both IFR and VFR services.
All of your instrument time will count toward your commercial pilot requirements, which doubles the bang for your training buck. You will find, too, that as you complete your commercial training and seek employment as a helicopter pilot, in many fields the instrument rating is a requirement.
Initial
Prerequisite: Private Pilot Helicopter
- 50 Hours of cross country time as PIC
- 40 Hours of actual or simulated instrument time in area of operation under 61.65 C
- 15 Hours of which are with a authorized instructor
- Meet the flight requirements of FAR 61
- Written test
- FAA Physical
- Practical flight test
Flight Training - Instrument
Add On
Prerequisite: Instrument Airplane
- 10 Hours of cross country flight time as PIC in a helicopter
- 15 Hours of actual or simulated flight time in a helicopter in areas of operation in 61.65 (C) with a authorized instructor
- Meet the flight requirements of FAR 61
- Practical flight test
Flight Training - Commercial
Advance your career!
Now that you have your Commercial Helicopter rating, you are able to advance your professional flying career!
Initial
Prerequisite: Private Pilot Helicopter, at least 18 years
- 150 Hours of flight time
- 50 Hours in helicopter
- Meet the flight requirements of FAR 61
- Written test
- FAA Physical
- Practical flight test
Flight Training - Commercial
Add On
Prerequisite: Private/Commercial Pilot Airplane
- 150 Hours of flight time - 50 Hours in a helicopter
- 100 Hours of PIC - 35 Hours in a helicopter
Flight Training - Certified Flight Instructor
Share your knowledge and enthusiasm
As a CFI you will be able to share your knowledge and enthusiasm of aviation with your students. You will be required to remain current on regulations, procedures and flight proficiency.
Initial
Prerequisite: Commercial Pilot Helicopter
- Appropriate ground instruction of 61.185 (a)
- Appropriate flight instruction of 61.187 (b)(3)
- FOI written test
- CFI written test
- Practical flight test
Flight Training - Certified Flight Instructor
Add On
Prerequisite: Airplane CFI
- Appropriate flight instruction of 61.187 (b)(3)
- CFI written test
- Practical flight test
Flight Training - Certified Flight Instructor Instrument
Certified Flight Instructor Instrument
Once you have your CFII you will be able to instruct pilots on the art of flying IFR.
Initial
Prerequisite: Commercial Pilot Helicopter
- Appropriate ground instruction of 61.185 (a)
- Appropriate flight instruction of 61.187 (b)(3)
- FOI written test
- CFI written test
- Practical flight test
Flight Training - Certified Flight Instructor Instrument
Add On
Prerequisite: Airplane CFI
- Appropriate flight instruction of 61.187 (b)(3)
- CFI written test
- Practical flight test
Flight Training - Robinson R66 Turbine Transition
This program is designed for experienced R44 pilots transitioning into the R66. The flight portion is conducted in your aircraft. All training is conducted by a Factory Authorized Instructor.
The course consist of 3 hours of ground instruction to include systems, powerplant theory and operations, performance and limitations, pre and post flight, normal and emergency procedures.
The flight portion will include 2 to 3 hours of training on basic and advanced maneuvers, emergency procedures, to include low G and inadvertent IMC.
Prerequisite: Minimum Private Pilot Certificate, 100 hours total time in helicopters and 50 hours in a R44.
Initial: $495.00
Recurrent: $395.00
Aviation Medical Examiner
Before you solo, and to exercise the privileges of your pilot certificate, you are going to need a valid FAA Medical Certificate.
For your convenience, Dr Jerzy Chachaj is located here with us in the Executive Air Terminal. He is authorized to issue class II and III Medical Certificates.
Office hours are Tuesday and Wednesday evening from 5:00pm to 7:00pm by appointment. Please call (203) 778-1150 to schedule.
Click here to start the on line process to complete your application.
Information for Foreign Students
Before continuing, foreign students should use this link. Centennial Helicopters is prohibited from training any non-US citizen flight training candidates or students unless they have submitted certain information to TSA
Click here to go to the TSA site.
