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Northwest Arkansas flight school · Springdale, AR

Helicopter Flight Training

Five FAA certificates and ratings, from your first hover to teaching others to fly, all trained out of our Springdale base.

Your path, step by step

Most students start with a Private Pilot License and add ratings in this order. Jump in wherever you are.

1

Private Pilot

40 hrs · FAA minimum

2

Instrument

40 hrs · Instrument time

3

Commercial

150 hrs · FAA minimum

4

CFI

No min. · Hours required

5

CFII

No min. · Hours required

Helicopter student pilot flying over the city with an instructor

Private Pilot License

Start here. Learn to hover, navigate, and fly a helicopter across Northwest Arkansas on your own authority — for personal flying, not for hire.

40 hrs

FAA minimum

~55 hrs

Typical total

17

Minimum age

$580/hr

R44 with instructor · Ground $65/hr

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R44 helicopter instrument panel in flight over a town at dusk

Instrument Rating

Fly helicopters when the weather closes in — instrument skills for the low ceilings and haze that ground VFR-only pilots across Northwest Arkansas.

40 hrs

Instrument time

50 hrs

Cross-country (PIC)

15 hrs

With a CFII

$580/hr

R44 with instructor · Ground $65/hr

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Student watching an R44 helicopter hover over a grass field during training

Commercial Pilot License

Get paid to fly helicopters — the advanced maneuvers, precision, and regulations required to work tours, EMS, utility, or charter across the region.

150 hrs

FAA minimum

100 hrs

Pilot in command

18

Minimum age

$580/hr

R44 with instructor · Ground $65/hr

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Instructor and students in an R44 helicopter on a rooftop helipad

Certified Flight Instructor

Master the skills unique to rotorcraft flight — hovering, autorotations, and confined-area work — and open doors with tour operators, EMS programs, and flight schools.

No min.

Hours required

2

Written exams

1

Checkride

$580/hr

R44 with instructor · Ground $65/hr

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Robinson R44 helicopter seen from directly below in flight

Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument

Add helicopter instrument instruction to your credentials — a specialized skill that sets you apart for EMS, utility, and charter instructor roles.

No min.

Hours required

1–2

Written exams

1

Checkride

$580/hr

R44 with instructor · Ground $65/hr

View course
Ask a question

New to flying?

Take the controls on a discovery flight with an instructor before you commit to a course.

Paying for training

Stratus Financial finances helicopter training. See our financing page for how to apply.

Talk to an instructor

Questions about a course, scheduling or cost? Call 479-365-3640

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