Requirements for the Grant of Trinidad and Tobago Private
Pilot's License (PPL) Helicopter
 

1) Minimum Age - Seventeen (17) years

2) Medical Examination
a) An applicant for the grant of a PPL is required to pass a medical examination conducted by a Civil Aviation Approved Medical Examiner.

b) The validity of the medical certificate is dependent upon the age of the applicant at the time of issue. If he / she is

 
less than forty (40) years on the date of issue, the validiy will be for twenty-four (24) months. If he / she is forty years and over on that date, it will be valid for twelve (12) months.
 
3) Examinations - Written / Oral
The applicant would be required to sit and pass the following examinations (with a pass mark of at least seveny percent (70%).
 
  1. Aviation Law
  2. Meterology
  3. Air Navigation
  4. Theory of Flight
  5. Telecommunications - (written and oral)
  6. Flight Rules and Procedures (oral). To be passed before first solo flight.
  7. Airframe and Engines (oral examination) - $138.00
 
 

4) Flying Experience / Skills
The applicant must produce evidence of having satisfactorily completed a total of at least forty (40) hours as pilot of helicopter which shall include:

a) Adequate training under a qualified instructor in helicopter fitted with dual controls (20 hours are normally accepted) which shall include four (4) hours appreciation of instrument flying.
 

b) Not less than ten (10) hours as pilot in command, which shall include not less than four (4) hours on cross-country flights within the nine months immediately preceding the date of application for a license.

c) The four (4) hours of cross-country flying shall include at least one flight during which the applicant made an immediate stop which shall be at least fifty (50) nautical miles from the aerodome of departure. (A flight from Piarco to Crown Point and return is normally accepted).
 

5) Flight Test
The applicant must satisfactorily complete a flight test which wil be conducted by an authorized examiner assigned by the Director of Civil Aviation.

Application for the Grant
On succesful completion of all of the above requirements, the following should be submitted to the Civil Aviation Division, Flight Safety Centre, Piarco.

  
 
  1. Completed application form
  2. Pilot's Log Book (Duty Totalled and Certified)
  3. Medical Certificate (from authorised Medical Examiner)
  4. The required fee ($300.00)
  5. Two (2) identification card size photographs (2cm x 2.5cm)
 

6) Duration
The average length of time to complete the program is twelve (12) - sixteen (16) weeks.
 
Private Pilot's License (H)
Aeronautical Knowledge for Helicopter
(Assuming the applicant holds a PPL (A) and wishes to obtain a PPL (H)
 

1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a helicopter.

2) 3 hours of night flight training in a helicopter that includes:
a) One cross-country flight of over 50 NM total distance
b) 10 take offs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.

3) 3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical

 
test, which must have been performed within the 60 day period preceding the date of the test.
 

4) 10 hours of solo flight time in a helicopter consisting of at least:

a) 3 hours of cross-country time

b) One solo cross country flight of over 75 NM total distance with landing at a minimum of two points, and one segment of the flight being a straight line distance of at least 25 NM between the take off and landing locations and

c) Three take off and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.

Note: An applicant for a PPL (H) who holds a PPL (A) may have to do approximately 19 hours of helicopter flying.

 
 
©Copyright 2004 Hummingbird Aviation Training Ltd.