Helicopter Flight Training in Camarillo California
Take to the skies with confidence through Orbic Helicopters’ personalized flight training program! Learn from experienced instructors, fly a modern fleet (including gyros!), and achieve your aviation goals with hands-on, one-on-one instruction.
Train With Professionals
We offer advanced flight training in all of our helicopters – including full down auto-rotations.
Our high time Certified Flight Instructors will assist you in obtaining your dream of flight!
About Us
Orbic Helicopters offers practical, top-quality, personalized flight instruction in our fleet of Robinson Helicopters for both non-rated and rated helicopter pilots. Our training courses are individually personalized to your specific needs. For over 30 years, we have trained local hobbyists, emergency medical operators, government pilots, and law enforcement agencies. Come and see why people from all over train with us, and make sure to ask us about gyro flight training!
Choose Orbic Helicopters for your flight training and experience one-on-one personalized instruction at your own pace. We offer advanced flight training and specialize in touchdown autorotation and turbine transition training. With over 30 years of experience in helicopter flight instruction, we provide a clean, well-maintained, and always hangared fleet.
Financing
We believe cost shouldn’t stand in the way of your aviation goals. That’s why we offer flexible financing solutions to help you start training sooner and spread payments over time. Whether you’re pursuing flight training for recreation or building a professional aviation career, our team can guide you through available funding options tailored to your needs.
Student Housing
Relocating for flight training is a big step — and having the right place to stay makes all the difference. Our student housing options provide a comfortable, convenient environment so you can stay focused on your training while enjoying a welcoming community of fellow aviation students.
Courses We Provide
Private Pilot License (R44)
To earn a Private Pilot License (Rotorcraft – Helicopter), the FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours of flight time. This includes dual instruction, solo flight, cross-country navigation, night operations, and basic instrument training. While 40 hours is the regulatory minimum, most students require additional time to build proficiency and confidence. For this training plan, we estimate the full 40 hours will be completed in a Robinson R44. In addition, the estimate includes 20 hours of ground instruction to cover essential knowledge areas such as aerodynamics, regulations, weather, and helicopter systems.
Flying Cost: $23,900
Ground Cost: $1,600
Requirements
- To obtain a Private Certificate an individual must be 17 years of age (But you can start training at any age)
- Must read, speak, and understand English
- Student Pilot Certificate
- Pass FAA Written Exam
- Basic Med or FAA 3rd Class Medical
- 40 hours minimum flight training
- Ground training is dependent on the student, we estimate 20 hours.
- Pass oral/practical test conducted by an FAA Examiner
FAA Minimum Requirements (Quick Reference)
- Private Pilot: 40 total (incl. 20 dual, 10 solo, 3 XC, 3 night, 3 instrument). Our plan allocates 30 dual + 10 solo (meets min dual & solo; remaining required sub‑categories will be scheduled within those hours).
Pricing Breakdown - Estimate
Item | Per Hour | Total |
|---|---|---|
30 Hours Dual | $610 | $18,300 |
10 Hours Solo
| $560 | $5,600 |
20 Hours Ground | $80
| $1,600 |
Books and Materials
| $250 | |
FAA Written Exam
| $175 | |
Checkride | $1,500
| |
FAA Medical
| $250 | |
Total | $27,675 |
**NOTE: These costs are based on FAA MINIMUM time required. The national average is approximately 55 hours of flight time for an initial private certificate. Solo rate shown is $490 aircraft + $70 insurance surcharge = $560/hr. All figures are estimates; actual time & cost vary by student proficiency, weather, examiner fees, fuel surcharges, and training efficiency.
Instrument Rating (R44)
The Instrument Rating for helicopters requires at least 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument flight time, including a minimum of 15 hours with a Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII). A critical component of this rating is an IFR cross-country flight, which must include at least three different instrument approaches at three separate airports. For this estimate, we assume the full 40 hours of instrument flight will be conducted in a Robinson R44. Additionally, 20 hours of ground instruction are estimated to included to prepare for the knowledge test and practical application of instrument procedures.
Flying Cost: $24,400
Ground Cost: $1,600
Requirements
- Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate
- Must read, speak, and understand English
- Pass FAA Written Exam
- Basic Med or FAA 3rd Class Medical
- 40 hours minimum flight training
- Ground training is dependent on the student, we estimate 20 hours.
- Pass oral/practical test conducted by an FAA Examiner
FAA Minimum Requirements (Quick Reference)
- Instrument Rating: 40 instrument (15 w/ CFII), 50 PIC XC (10 heli), IFR XC w/ 3 approaches. All 40 hrs scheduled dual in R44; PIC XC credit assumed accumulated across training syllabus.
Pricing Breakdown
Item | Per Hour | Total |
|---|---|---|
40 Hours Dual
| $610 | $24,400 |
20 Hours Ground | $80
| $1,600 |
FAA Written Exam | $175 | |
Checkride | $1,500 | |
Books and Materials
| $175 | |
Total
| $27,850 |
**NOTE: These costs are based on FAA MINIMUM time required. All figures are estimates; actual time & cost vary by student proficiency, weather, examiner fees, fuel surcharges, and training efficiency
Commercial Pilot License (R22)
To qualify for a Commercial Pilot License (Rotorcraft – Helicopter), the FAA mandates a total of 150 flight hours. These hours must include specific training in areas such as cross-country navigation, night flying, solo operations, and flight as Pilot-in-Command (PIC). Assuming the applicant has already completed 80 hours during their Private and Instrument training, this plan allocates the remaining 70 hours to be flown in a Robinson R22 to reduce overall cost. Additionally, the program includes an estimate of 10 hours of ground instruction to support the advanced theoretical knowledge required for commercial operations.
Flying Cost: $29,400
Ground Cost: $800
Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must read, speak, and understand English
- Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate
- Pass FAA Written Exam
- Basic Med or FAA 3rd Class Medical
- 150 hours minimum total time
- Ground training is dependent on the student, we estimate 10 hours.
- Pass oral/practical test conducted by an FAA Examiner
FAA Minimum Requirements (Quick Reference)
- Commercial Pilot: 150 total, 100 PIC (35 heli PIC), 10 PIC XC heli, 5 instrument heli, 5 night PIC w/ 10 T/O & ldgs, commercial maneuvers & solo/XC requirements. With 80 hrs from Private+Instrument plus 70 Commercial Add-On hrs, total = 150. PIC credit is achieved through authorized PIC logging after Private; dual received post‑rating may be logged as PIC when acting PIC..
Pricing Breakdown
Item | Per Hour | Total |
|---|---|---|
70 Hours Dual
| $420 | $29,400 |
10 Hours Ground | $80
| $800 |
FAA Written Exam
| $175 | |
Checkride | $1,500
| |
Total
| $31,875 |
**NOTE: These costs are based on getting your PPL and Instrument. All figures are estimates; actual time & cost vary by student proficiency, weather, examiner fees, fuel surcharges, and training efficiency
Summary of Costs
This sheet summarizes estimated training hours, FAA minimums, and pricing for the Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot sequence at Orbic Helicopters. Flight instruction rates shown include the instructor. Solo flight is billed at the aircraft solo rate plus an insurance surcharge. Ground instruction is billed separately.
Training Hours & Cost Summary
Phase | Aircraft | Total Flight Hrs | Dual Flight Hrs | Solo Flight Hrs | Rate Dual | Rate Solo* | Flight Dual Cost | Flight Solo Cost | Ground Hrs | Ground Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Private Pilot | R44 | 40 | 30 | 10 | $610 | $560 | $18,300 | $5,600 | 20 | $1,600 |
Instrument Rating | R44 | 40 | 40 | – | $610 | – | $24,400 | – | 20 | $1,600 |
Commercial | R22 | 70 | 70 | – | $420 | – | $29,400 | – | 10 | $800 |
TOTAL | 150 | 140 | 10 | – | – | $72,100 | $5,600 | 50 | $4,000 |
Flight Training Total: $77,700
Ground Training Total: $4,000
Grand Total: $81,700
Note: These are estimated minimum costs. Actual training costs may vary based on student proficiency, additional training time required, and examiner fees.
Estimated Total Training Cost Summary
The combined estimated minimum cost for completing Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, and Commercial Pilot training is $81,700. This includes $77,700 in flight training (dual and solo) and $4,000 in ground instruction. Total projected training time is 150 flight hours and 50 ground hours, though actual costs may vary based on individual progress and additional requirements.
Additional Training & Information
- Add a rotorcraft rating to your current certificate
- Accomplish your mandatory Biannual flight review
- Renew your SFAR-73 PIC endorsements for Robinson helicopters
- Meet your insurer’s flight training and experience requirements in either Robinson helicopters or customer-provided aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration requires a minimum of 40 hours flight time, to include 10 hours of solo flight time for your private pilot helicopter rating. Other requirements include passing a written knowledge test, obtaining a FAA Third Class Airman Medical Certificate, passing the FAA oral knowledge test, and passing the FAA practical test (check ride).
While we have the entire range of Robinson helicopters available for training, the vast majority of primary instruction at Orbic Helicopters is performed in the Robinson R44 Cadet. The Cadet is a specialized, two-seat, training variant of the popular R44 helicopter. Designed explicitly with the needs of flight training in mind, the R44 Cadet offers considerable safety, comfort, and ease-of-use advantages over the R22 helicopters used by many flight schools. The R44 Cadet is larger, more stable, and has increased safety margins (both in terms of available engine power and rotor inertia) when compared to the R22. Simply put, the R44 Cadet is easier to fly, has the power and CG envelope to comfortably accommodate larger students, and is safer and more forgiving for low-time pilots. It is also more comfortable to fly, with a significantly larger cabin than an R22, more comfortable seats, and (crucially in the California heat!) the addition of an air conditioning system.
How to get started
Contact Us or Visit the Hangar
Schedule Your Discovery Flight or Consultation
Complete Required Forms
Begin Your Training Journey
Instructors
Our Aircraft
At Orbic Helicopters we have a wide array of low-time, well-equipped, well-maintained aircraft available for training, tours, and charter.
Our location
- 777 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, California 93010
