HAL ROTARY WING ACADEMY

In its endeavor towards promoting aviation activities, HAL started the helicopter pilots training institute named HAL Rotary Wing Academy in Feb 2000. Being a versatile aerial vehicle, the helicopter’s role in various fields is being realised more and more. Helicopter aviation in India may be poised for a growth of 10% to 15% per year with a corresponding increase in the demand for helicopter pilots. There having been no civil helicopter pilot’s training institute in India hitherto, there was an imminent need for such an institute and it was at this juncture that HAL started the Rotary Wing Academy fulfilling the long felt need of the Country. At present, this is the only Civil Helicopter Pilot’s Training Institute in India approved by the DGCA. Subsequently, in the year 2004, the Academy was also approved by the DGCA for Non Scheduled Operation (Charter Service)

The Academy is housed in one of the HAL hangars in close proximity of the HAL Airport. It has the necessary infrastructure required to impart ground and flying training under a very conducive environment.

Highly qualified and experienced flying and ground instructors from ex defence and civil fields form the faculty of the Academy.

The basic flying training is carried out on Schweizer Helicopter Model 300C (piston engine type). Option is available to train on Schweizer 330SP (gas turbine type) at extra cost. In addition, the Academy has Chetak and Dhruv (ALH) helicopters which would be available for conversion training / skill test of licensed pilots and charter service.

The Academy will invite applications from candidates for flying training 3 to 4 months in advance of the completion of flying training of the previous batch of trainee pilots. Registration for the next batch can be done six months in advance by payment of the registration fee. The course duration will be approx. 20 months for Commercial Helicopter Pilot’s Licence (CHPL) and 9 months for Private Helicopter Pilot’s Licence (PHPL). The duration may extend depending on various factors.

Qualification: Both girls and boys are admitted for the course. The requisite qualifications for Commercial Helicopter Pilot's Licence (CHPL) are as follows:

i) Age: Not less than 18 years on the date of application to the DGCA for licence after completion of flying training. Allowing for the course duration, the student may not be less than 17 years on the date of joining the course.

ii) Educational Qualification: should have passed in Class 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics or its equivalent from any recognised Board / University.

iii) Medical Fitness: Medically fit class II status as certified by a DGCA empanelled doctor or Medical Establishment for issue of Student Pilot's Licence prior to commencement of the flying training. He/She should preferably obtain class I status prior to commencement of flying training

Qualifications for Private Helicopter Pilot's Licence (PHPL) are as follows:

Age: Not less than 17 years on the date of application for DGCA licence. Allowing for the course duration, the student may not be less than 16 1/2 years on the date of joining the course.

Educational Qualification: should have passed Class 10 or its equivalent from any recognised Board.

Medical Fitness: Medically fit as certified by a DGCA empanelled doctor or Medical Establishment for issue of Student Pilot Licence prior to commencement of the flying training.

CHPL will entitle a candidate for employment with Scheduled and Non Scheduled Operators (Commercial).

PHPL will entitle a candidate for flying helicopters owned for Private Purposes (non-commercial).and without receiving any remuneration as a pilot.

As a prerequisite for CHPL or PHPL, the students should pass written examinations in Air Regulations, Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Technical (aircraft and engines) and Signals subjects as per the syllabus prescribed by the DGCA. The Academy will coach the students on these subjects. Passing of the ground subjects is necessary before one qualifies for issue of Pilot’s Licence by the DGCA besides completion of the flying training.

As per the existing regulations, a student for CHPL shall satisfactorily complete not less than 150 hrs of flight time. Provided that a holder of Commercial Pilot’s Licence on Aeroplane (CPL) or higher licence and who has satisfactorily completed not less than 500 hrs of flight time as Pilot in Command (PIC) on aeroplane, shall require to complete not less than 30 hrs of flight time on helicopter.

A student for PHPL shall satisfactorily complete not less than 40 hrs of flight time. Provided that a holder of CPL who has satisfactorily completed not less than 300 hrs of flight time as PIC on Aeroplane shall require to complete not less than 20 hrs of flight time on helicopter.

The flying hour requirement is subject to change with change if any, in the Aircraft Rules.

Activity	Rs. Per hour on Helicopter Type
Activity	Sch 300C	Sch 330SP	Chetak
(1) Fee for Proficiency Check/ Skill Test/ Conversion etc. (normal rate)	30,000/-	35,000/-	70,000/-
(2) Registration Fee for Pilot’s Training Course	20,000/-	20,000/-	N/A
Training Kit	7,500/-	7,500/-	N/A

The above charges are subject to revision from time to time based on increase in operational costs if any. The total course fee would change based on revision, if any, of flight time requirement for the licence by the DGCA and also if any additional flying training is warranted in specific cases.

Registration fee is not refundable but adjustable towards the flying fee. The flying training fee is payable in installments, the first installment at the time of admission and the subsequent installments progressively with every 25 hrs of flying. The charges for charter service are payable in advance and draft form only.

1. The payment schedule for flying training, proficiency / skill test, endorsement etc will be advised on admission.

2. Subsidized rate is applicable only to those who do the min 40 hrs required for PHPL and the min 150 hrs for CHPL. In case of discontinuance of the course before completing these min hrs, the students are liable to pay the flying fee at normal rates.

3. In the event that a pilot trainee is unable to come upto the required performance level and needs additional hours of flying to reach the standard, he/she will be accordingly charged extra for the additional flying.

4. In case of ‘drop outs’ either during the ground training stage or flying stage, the quantum

of amount liable to be paid by the student shall be decided by the Academy after taking

5. All payments should be in the form of DD in favour of HAL Helicopter Division

The Application Form may be down loaded from this website. The Application Form duly filled in legible hand with all the details shall be sent to the address given hereunder. The application should be accompanied by the following documents:

NOTE: Only Xerox copies to be sent. Originals should he produced at the time of interview:
Passport size digital color photographs of the candidate with

· A DD for Rs.20,000/- in favour of HAL Helicopter Division payable at Bangalore towards the Registration Fee.

· In case of existing licence holders, copies of license, medical assessment, flight experience data.

On satisfying the application requirement, the candidate will be intimated about the date of selection test and an interview. Selected candidates will be directed to any of the DGCA empanelled doctors for medical examination. The doctor’s fee and the clinical lab test charges for medical evaluation are to be met by the candidate. For the purpose of medical examination, the candidate should come prepared to stay in Bangalore for at least 2 days. Candidates are to bring with them all the originals of the certificates mentioned in the application for verification and return.

The Chief Instructor of the Academy is the sole authority to decide about the selection or otherwise of a candidate and this cannot be questioned in any court of law.

After successful completion of the interview and medical examination, Academy will issue admission letter to the candidate. Admission is subject to payment of the first installment of the flying fee by the due date of joining.

The admitted candidates and their parents/guardians together will have to sign an agreement on Rs. 50/- stamp paper accepting the ‘terms & conditions’ of the Academy.

The admitted candidates are subject to Aircraft Act 1934, Rules 1937, DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements and HAL Security / Admin regulations, procedures and norms.