Helicopter Time Building & Hour Building

What you'll get with our helicopter ground school

Program snapshot — helicopter time building & hour building

• Built for licensed rotorcraft pilots needing helicopter time for ratings and low hour pilot jobs.
• Time building in helicopters such as the R22 rotorcraft).
• Blocks of 25, 50, or 100+ hours available for hour building.
• Combination of local flights and cross-country missions to maximize XC helicopter time.
• Support with logbook structure so PIC and dual time are documented clearly.

Specifically for low hour helicopter pilots

• Pilots who just finished private or commercial helicopter training and need rotorcraft time quickly.
• Low hour pilots working toward CFI / CFII helicopter requirements.
• Pilots planning a transition from airplane to helicopter and needing rotorcraft hour building.
• International helicopter pilots building FAA-compliant time in the United States.

Also valuable for helicopter flight instructors

• CFIs and CFII candidates who want to add cross-country rotorcraft time between teaching assignments.
• Instructors who want structured missions to build hours toward turbine helicopter jobs.

How our helicopter time building works

1. Consultation: We review your current helicopter hours, certificate level, and job goals.
2. Custom hour building plan: We outline how many hours to build, which rotorcraft you’ll fly, and how much cross-country time to target.
3. Fly structured missions: Time building flights may include aerial photography, training scenarios, and cross-country work that build real experience.
4. Track progress: You’ll see your PIC and cross-country helicopter time grow with each flight block.
5. Prepare for low hour pilot jobs: We help you understand how to present your new helicopter time when you apply for entry-level positions.

From hour building to low hour helicopter pilot jobs

No one can promise a job, but we can help you build the helicopter experience employers expect to see. Our time building and hour building flights are structured around the skills and flight time that support entry-level rotorcraft positions:

• CFI and CFII helicopter instructor roles.
• Scenic flights and tour operations.
• Aerial photography, patrol, and utility support work.

By the time you finish a dedicated helicopter time building block, your logbook will show more than just hours—it will tell a story about how you used those hours to become a safer, more capable rotorcraft pilot.

Start your helicopter time building application    |   Call or Text: 561-346-2816

Helicopter Time Building & Hour Building — FAQ

What is helicopter time building and hour building?

Time building and hour building is the phase after initial helicopter training where you deliberately increase your rotorcraft hours—especially PIC and cross-country—so you can qualify for advanced ratings and low hour pilot jobs.

Who is this time building program designed for?

The program is designed for low hour helicopter pilots who already hold at least a private rotorcraft-helicopter certificate, as well as commercial students and CFIs in training who need more helicopter time to be competitive.

Can this help me get low hour helicopter pilot jobs?

Yes, in the sense that time building gives you the flight time employers require. We focus on building the kinds of rotorcraft hours that matter for hiring, but the actual job offer will always depend on your overall profile and timing.

What helicopters will I fly during hour building?

Most flights are conducted in training helicopters such as the Robinson R22 and R44 or similar rotorcraft. These aircraft are widely used for training and entry-level commercial work, so the time you build is directly relevant.

How fast can I build helicopter hours?

Some pilots choose intensive week-long blocks for rapid hour building, while others fly a few times per week over several months. We’ll help you design a schedule that fits your goals, budget, and availability.

How much does helicopter time building cost?

Pricing depends on the rotorcraft type and the number of hours you plan to build. Contact us for current time building and hour building rates and package options.

Pilot testimonial:

“Have you recently graduated flight school with a CFI or just finished your private license and are wondering if your flight school is right for you? Helicopter Academy/Boatpix can provide some options no other helicopter school can offer. I was just such an individual just two years ago. I had graduated with my CFII from a good school that provided all of the basics for my advancement into the helicopter world. However, the only thing they could not provide was a job. As most of you already know, this presents a very big obstacle. After searching for far too long for a job I finally found Boatpix. It is a non-traditional way of building helicopter hours but provides wonderful real-world experience. It is not free, but has been the best investment I have made in my helicopter training. After completing the 100 hours of photo flight training necessary to be safe and competent at the job, Tom turned me loose with an R22 Mariner and my first student. Since then, I have flown over 1200 hours and completed my ATP. None of this would have been possible without Boatpix. Tom McDermott provided me with free housing while I was training and provided me with students in the busy season. He also found me a job at the local airport during the winter months. This coincidentally led to a job flying tours in an R44. Also one of Tom's connections. I now have a full-time salaried position in the South Florida area that was given to me by a former Helicopter Academy/Boatpix graduate and instructor. South Florida is a hot bed of helicopter action and is a great place to live, learn, and work. Do yourself a favor and call Tom to learn more about Boatpix/Helicopter Academy today. I still work for Boatpix on my off days flying the R44 because it is probably the most fun you will ever have flying a helicopter.” — Brian Treptow