How old is too old to be a helicopter pilot

They tend to study harder, even if it is a little more slowly, and they have a deeper interest in flying, rather than merely ticking the next box to pass a subject. RA-Aus has worked hard over the last few years to really improve its training. Bunbury-based instructor Will Owen agrees. The study aimed to identify the special learning needs of older student pilots from the reflections and responses of experienced recreational flight instructors.

Participants were 32 RA-Aus senior and chief flying instructors. The study states: Learning to fly is demanding cognitively, physically and emotionally. Recreational pilots must learn to navigate and fly the aircraft, while constantly monitoring weather, terrain, traffic, engine parameters, and radio calls. Does the age of the pilot necessitate special training considerations as opposed to the younger students?

How do members of the aging population of ab initio pilots manage the cognitive, physical and emotional load when learning to fly? The sample consisted of largely male instructors 94 per cent with the mean age of respondents being 57 years. The oldest instructor was 78 and the youngest was The number of years participants had been instructing recreational aviation students ranged from one to 28 years, with a mean of 12 years.

All participants were qualified RA-Aus flying instructors and 27 were chief flying instructors 84 per cent. Additionally, three held an airline transport pilots license and another 15 47 per cent held commercial pilots licences. Aeronautical experience ranged from to 20, hours, with the mean being hours. The results of the Australian study included a model for considering factors when training older pilots.

Flight instructors in this study named behavioural markers in older pilot learning that mirrored the research of Verhaeghen and Hardy and Parasurarman and other studies.

The results of these studies show age affecting the speed of mental processing, which then has a cascade effect on short-term, working and episodic memory, as well as reasoning and spatial ability.

Instructor data commonly highlighted the amount of time older students took to learn their knowledge and master their skills. Seven instructors confirmed that older pilots do take longer to learn to fly. Turning, balancing the airplane, all of those things seem to take longer with the mature-aged persons.

They just think slower. Under circuit conditions, instructors reported that older students experienced difficulty keeping track of the information needed. Older students needed more repetition of procedures and skills and often forgot the procedures and skills they had learnt in previous lessons. At times, the instructors noted that older students became overloaded mentally and could not respond to instructions.

Flying requires timely and correct physical inputs as well as cognitive decisions. Instructors identified some issues with the reflexes of older pilots that hampered their progress in learning to fly.

The participants noted that not only are the reflexes of older pilots slower, they were also slower to realise when they need to make control inputs. Obviously with motor skills, you have to coordinate very quickly, so age is a big issue with recreational pilots. The third theme instructors identified dealt with psychological issues such as fear, anxiety, stress, confidence and personality characteristics.

We have to make sure we come to a spot where we overcome that first. Confidence can be an issue for older students. The study concluded that cognitive decline, including slow processing of information, overloaded short-term and working memory, confusion, slow reflexes and lack of confidence are a few of the characteristics of older ab initio pilots which have to be considered in flight training to ensure success. Future research could lead to the development of strategies for instructors to meet the learning needs of older ab initio pilots.

Hardy, D. Cognition and flight performance in older pilots. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied , Vol. Thomas, M. Unpublished Manuscript. Verhaeghen, P. New York: Oxford University Press. Great article!

This one together with a previous article on assertion in the cockpit should also focus on teaching instructors about these situations, so they can adjust their teaching style, not just focus on informing students.

I had one CFI tell me that he thought people learn to fly more slowly as they get older and I can relate to that , but a 21 yo instructor at the same school had expectations at my performance that I could not deliver. I was assumed to be unable to make decisions at all and put under enormous workload pressure only to then be made to feel like a failure. After discussions and change of instructors I decided to change flying schools, although it took months for the built-up anxiety to subside.

I got my PPL in , after being active for a couple of years, the cost of raising a young family and finding time meant I barely kept my license current. It was only valid for two years back then.

The FAA does not set minimum or maximum height or weight requirements for flying any aircraft. However, you must be tall enough to reach the flight controls and not too tall to fit in the cockpit. To train in the Robinson R 2 place helicopter, your weight should not be significantly over lbs; to train in the Robinson R 4-place helicopter, it should not be significantly over lbs.

You can begin training at any age when you are tall enough reach the flight controls. You must be 16 years old or older to fly the helicopter solo by yourself , 17 to get a Private Pilot's license and 18 years old to get a Commercial Pilot's and Flight Instructor's license. At Midwest Aeronautical, we have trained pilots male and female from 13 years old into their 70's. There are very few medical problems that will keep you from obtaining at least a Private Pilot's license.

Requirements for a Commercial Pilot's license are somewhat more strict than for a Private certificate. Taking certain medications might also affect your ability to get an FAA Medical. We strongly suggest you find a Senior and very experienced AME if you have a serious medical condition.

Many are pilots themselves. The link is shown below. Good luck! Visit the FAA website for more information on pilot medical certification. Charlie Duchek and his staff are the best possible choice I could have made for helicopter flight training.

Safety is emphasized throughout and Charlie has the gift of being able to teach all the skills you need to become a proficient, safe, confident helicopter pilot. There is a certain magical feeling to flying helicopters that Charlie and his group are able to impart to all their students. I am a 55 year old jeweler who was fortunate enough to find Charlie, his skills and his patience.

I would recommend him to all those who care to "share the magic. Charlie and his staff are the best group of instructors I have ever come across. The aircraft are the cleanest and best maintained I have seen. They always take the time to explain a question in clear understandable language.

The process of picking the right flight school is the most important decision you will make regarding your flight training. Midwest's instructors are extremely knowledgeable and professional, and really care about your progress toward your certificate. Whether it is for a career or personal enjoyment, Midwest can help make your dreams of helicopter flying a reality.

I would recommend them to anyone. Midwest offers pilot training in a beautiful Robinson R44 Raven I helicopter. Recently overhauled and equipped with state-of-the-art avionics. Chief Pilot Charlie Duchek is the area's most experienced flight instructor in various makes and models of piston-powered helicopters. Our training rates in the R44 are competitive with what other flight schools charge for training in a two-seat R22 helicopter.

SFAR No. Questions about SFAR 73? Contact Charlie Duchek at or email charlie rhctraining. RHC Training. Frequently Asked Questions Answers to common questions about helicopter pilot training. General Questions. Do I have to be an airplane pilot before I can learn to fly helicopters?

How many hours of flight training does it take to get my helicopter license? How long a period of time will it take to earn my helicopter license? Is a helicopter easier to learn to fly than an airplane? After I earn my helicopter license, what kinds of helicopters can I fly?

Can we train in the winter, too? I've heard I have to take a flight physical. And what does that involve? Do I have to take a written FAA pilot test at some time? Is flying helicopters dangerous? If the engine quits, does the helicopter fall from the sky like a rock?

Can I land the helicopter anywhere I want to? What kind of flying missions do helicopter pilots perform? Flight school is demanding and takes a lot of work. Without the proper motivation, it will be tempting to drop out, especially for students who are older. Know the industry. The world of aviation is big and it can be confusing for someone just entering it. From there, you can work your way up to earning a high salary.

Be prepared to struggle. Flight school is hard. There is a lot to know and remember for your ground labs, flight labs, and exams. Not everyone is a natural pilot. Budget carefully and make sure you get the most for your money. Do your research before committing to a flight school and make sure that whatever school you choose will help you succeed as a pilot and will take your education seriously. To learn more about how to pay for flight school, read this article.

Plan ahead. Flight school is only one part of becoming a pilot.