Effective May 31st, 2024 the FAA Helicopter Private, Commercial, Instrument & Flight Instructor PTS will be replaced by new FAA Helicopter ACS (Airman Certification Standards) versions. For many helicopter pilots ACS is completely new and many are wondering “What is the ACS?” and “What changes are in the new helicopter ACS?” The ACS is essentially an enhanced PTS but there is so much more to it. To get a detailed overview of all the major changes to ACS, check out the full details in this Heli ACS video series. Also you can read an abbreviated summary on this webpage. If you want to ..read more

Christmas, birthday or just because… [UPDATED 2024] Below are some of the best gifts for a Helicopter Pilot or anyone who loves helicopters. As a helicopter pilot myself, making this list was easy and fun – I either already have many of these items or they are on my own wish list. Full disclosure – the links for some of these items will provide a small commission to Helicopter Training Videos at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting this volunteer project through any purchases you make using these links. You can also check out other ways you to support HTV (financially and otherwise ..read more

I hear this question fairly often when a student (who already has their private pilot certificate earned in an R22) starts training in an R44: “When can I start logging PIC time in the R44?“. The question arises because of SFAR 73 and it’s requirement for time in an R44 before you can act as PIC in the R44. The specifics of the requirements are explained (along with other parts of SFAR 73) in our SFAR 73 Explained article. The Question When can I start logging PIC time in the R44? Confused R22 Private Pilot The confusion often arises because the rated pilot usually* needs at least 5 hours of ..read more

Christmas, birthday or just because… [UPDATED Dec 2023] Below are some of the best gifts for a Helicopter Pilot or anyone who loves helicopters. As a helicopter pilot myself, making this list was easy and fun – I either already have many of these items or I would like them (hint, hint…) Full disclosure – the links for some of these items will provide a small commission to Helicopter Training Videos at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting this volunteer project through any purchases you make using these links. You can also check out other ways you to support HTV (financially and othe ..read more

Becoming a pilot involves many areas of study – aerodynamics, maneuvers, performance, regulations, weather, flight planning, etc. Learning to ‘read the road’ when operating at an airport is one of the key requirements. Although helicopters don’t often move around the airport like an airplane, we need to know the same marking and signage, and will be part of your knowledge test and practical test (checkride) assessment. Luckily the FAA has some flashcards and a quiz to help you learn and test your knowledge: FAA Runway Signs and Markings Flashcards AA Runway Signs and Marking FlashcardsFAA Runw ..read more

Canceled FAA AC 00-24C As of December 22nd, 2022, the old FAA Thunderstorms publication (AC 00-24C) is canceled. The content of that advisory circular (AC) has been absorbed (with 5 other FAA weather publications) and updated into the new FAA Aviation Weather Handbook (free PDF here). See an example of the updated imagery in the new weather handbook (FAA-H-8083-28), versus the line drawings from the earlier AC 00-24B from 1983 (move the slider left and right): Old (left side) and new (right side) thunderstorm images compared FAA-H-8083-28 really is the ultimate FAA aviation weather handbook w ..read more

What is a virtual VOR? In this case it is a fix/waypoint in a GPS that can be made to work like a VOR for instrument training. Overview Why make and use a virtual VOR? Virtual VORs in the Garmin GNS 430 Virtual VORs in the Garmin GTN 650 Pros and cons of virtual VORs Why make and use a virtual VOR? Why would you want to make and use a virtual VOR for instrument training? Well there a variety of reasons: You don’t have a VOR nearby The VOR is down (U/S unserviceable or out of service) The VOR is congested with traffic Whatever the reason, we will go through how to set it up in both the Garm ..read more

Christmas, birthday or just because… [UPDATED Dec 2021] Below are some of the best gifts for a Helicopter Pilot or anyone who loves helicopters. As a helicopter pilot myself, making this list was easy and fun – I either already have many of these items or I would like them (hint, hint…) Full disclosure – the links for some of these items will provide a small commission to Helicopter Training Videos at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting this volunteer project through any purchases you make using these links. You can also check out other ways you to support HTV (financially and othe ..read more