The following hours are a minimum hours required by CASA to obtain each stage of a licence. The actual hours that it will take for a student to reach the acceptable standard depends on their ability at the time of training. Student should not be disillusioned if some stages of their training take longer, as it is the final result that we aim to achieve, not to push the student through their training only to be deficient in their ability to operate a helicopter in certain circumstances.

General Flying Phase - GFPT

35 Hours Training Covering:

Minimum 20 Hours Dual General Flying &

Minimum 10 Hours Solo General Flying

Theory exams during this stage of training are conducted in house.
These exams include:

• Pre-First Solo Air Legislation Exam
• Pre- Area Solo Air Legislation Exam
• Flight Radio Exam
• Basic Aeronautical Knowledge Exam
• Engineering Paper Relevent to aircraft type

Private Flying Phase - PPL (H)

50 Hours Total

(GFPT Training above) plus:

Minimum 9 Hours Dual Navigation &

Minimum 6 Hours Solo Navigation

In this area of your training you will learn more on Navigation preparation, Flight Planning, Airspace Rules and Regulations, Human Performance, Performance & Operations and Meteorology. There are generally several briefs prior to the first navigational exercise, to prepare you for the increased workload during the flight.
The private theory exam for the Unrestricted Licence is a CASA exam, which can be conducted in house. It is approx a 3.5 hour cyber exam comprising of all theoretical areas of your training. The private theory exam has to be completed prior to your first solo cross-country. There is no requirement to book ahead for the private exam.

The private exam will be superseded if you undertake and pass the seven commercial exams prior to this stage of your training.

Commercial Flying Phase

125 Hours Total (105 – Special Training Course*)

(Including PPL Training)

*Special Training Course is a CASA approved course that requires the student complete the final 30 hours of the course within a period of 3 consecutive calendar months, they will be eligible to be covered under CAR 5.127 (6).

This Commercial phase of  training expands upon previous training, as well as covering some additional areas of training.

• Low Level
• Pinnacle/Ridgeline Operations
• Sling Load Operations
• Photography Flying

The training time must include:

• At least 40 hours of flight time in dual flying; and
• At least 25 hours of general flight time as pilot in command; and
• At least 25 hours of cross-country flight time that includes at least 10 hours of flight time as pilot in command.

The seven theory exams during this stage of training are conducted by Assessment Services PTY limited (ASL) at one of their theory exam centres. Each exam will need to be individually booked on their website and they will then tell the student the documents required for the particular exam. Each exam will need to be passed before the issue of a CPL.

Assessment Services Pty Limited (ASL) - www.aslexam.com

Aerowasp recommends Advanced Flight Theory in Queensland as they provide Distance Learning Courses and full time ground school. The study guide included in the theory kit will recommend the best approach for you to take to get the best from your theory training.

Advanced Flight Theory – www.aft.com.au

The Commercial exams include:

• Meteorology (CMET)
• Navigation (CNAV)
• Human Factors (CHUF)
• Flight Rules & Air Law (CLWH)
• Operations, Performance & Flight Planning (CFPH)
• Aerodynamics (CADH)
• Aircraft General Knowledge (CSYH)

Fixed Wing to Helicopter Conversions Course

A Pilot that already holds a private or commercial fixed wing licence may obtain either a Private or Commercial Helicopter Licence using the course hours specified below.

• Private Helicopter Licence

PPL (A) / CPL (A) Conversion

38 Hours Total (GFPT Training) plus:

Minimum 3 Hours Dual Navigation

• Commercial Helicopter licence

PPL (A) Conversion

80 Hours Total (70 Hours – *Special Training Course) (Including PPL Training)

CPL (A) Conversion

70 Hours Total (60 Hours – *Special Training Course) (Including PPL Training)

*Special Training Course is a CASA approved course that states; if the student completes the final 30 hours of the course within a period of 3 consecutive calendar months, they will be eligible to be covered under CAR 5.127 (6).

Each of the 7 theory exams will need to be passed before the issue of a CPL. Commercial fixed wing pilot will already have passes in the following exams:

• Meteorology (CMET)
• Navigation (CNAV)
• Human Factors (CHUF)