In partnership with Australian Wings Academy RTO 31285, V2 Helicopters delivers Australia’s leading helicopter training program:
A course designed to take you from no experience to fully qualified and highly employable. An ideal pathway into the industry.
Upon successful completion of the 29 Units of Competency and 105 hours of aeronautical experience, you will receive:
There are several different career paths to choose from within the helicopter industry:
Corporate flights / general charter service
Agricultural crop spraying and livestock herding
Media, news and traffic reporting
Offshore (oil industry) services
Tuna spotting (Tuna Boats)
Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of your flight test
Previous Education Requirements
You will be required to sit and pass a pre-entry aptitude test administered by Australian Wings Academy
Prior top commencement you must aquire a class 1 medical certificate
You must be eligable to apply for an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC)
You must be eligible to obtain English language proficiency to meet the minimum requirements set by CASA.
29 Units of Competency shared across 6 Units of Study
Units Of Competency
Units of Competency
Approaching the end of your training, your instructor will conduct one or more mock flight tests to make sure you are at the required level before putting you forward for your final flight test. The test usually runs for around 4 hours and consists of verbal questioning in the classroom followed by a flight of about 2 hours. You will have practised everything in your test many times with your instructor, and you will not be put forward for your test until we feel you are ready, so there’s no need to stress. Upon completing the flight test, you will become part of that exclusive helicopter pilot club – a fantastic life achievement of which you will be proud! This is the moment of truth, your chance to shine and impress the examiner with your new skills!
Funding options are available to eligible students. Contact us to find out more.
*In Australian Dollars. Course Fees may be subject to change with prior notice to enrolled students.
***ASL Exam fees included for first exam attempt only
** *Flight Test for single attempt only
*****May vary depending on individual circumstances
Click here for Terms and Conditions
Upon completing your commercial helicopter licence, you should first research the market to identify which companies are currently employing pilots. Most first helicopter pilot jobs are in the tourism industry, so this is a great start.
We keep an up to date list of these tourism operators throughout Australia, complete with contact details exclusively available for V2 Helicopters students. Once you have identified which companies are currently employing, you need to visit them in person. Always follow up and email with a phone call and, even better, a visit in person. Try and set up a meeting beforehand though this is not always possible.
Always arrive early, well dressed, professional, and have a positive, friendly attitude. You may have to work on the ground for some time before being allocated a flying role. This is standard practice and should be seen as a valuable learning opportunity. We operate a busy charter operation at Archerfield and regularly offer our ex-students the chance to conduct scenic flights around the Brisbane Area. This is an excellent opportunity to build your hours and experience customer interaction.
Always arrive early, well dressed, with a professional appearance and positive friendly attitude.
Need to know
Please be aware that additional costs may be incurred for any unsuccessful examinations undertaken with The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Human Factors $155.90
Aerodynamics $155.90
Aircraft General Knowledge $155.90
Meteorology $155.90
Navigation $168.20
Flight Rules and Air Law $168.20
Operations, Performance and Flight Planning $178.60
Any additional flying hours required to achieve the standard Commercial Pilot Licence, then additional fees may apply.
Weight restrictions
There are weight restrictions on the below aircraft. You will not train in an aircraft type if you are above the maximum weight.
R22: 109 kg
R44: 134 kg
Assessment Methods
The units of competency will be assessed in a variety of formats. You will; be observed, conduct written assessment, written and computerised examination, oral examination, peer assessment and of course, participate in in-flight testing.
All information was accurate at the time of publication; however, tuition fees and course content are subject to change without notice. Course commencement is dependent on sufficient enrolment numbers. Timetable information is subject to change before the beginning of the program.
Can I get finance for my training?
There are funding options available to eligible students. Get in touch with us to discuss your circumstances.
Why choose V2 Helicopters?
Experience is the key, backed up by professional personalised training. Our instructors have 1000’s of hours in the field making us highly qualified to teach the next generation of helicopter pilots. Ken Amess has over 13 years mustering experience and over 22,000 hours flying making him one of the most experienced instructors in the world. We go the extra mile for our students making sure we create the best pilots possible. Our location is perfect for training, we have the beautiful views of Moreton Bay on our doorstep and Archerfield’s controlled airspace ensures that students are exposed to controlled airspace radio calls. Airfields like Redcliffe and Caboolture do not have this privilege and students often struggle with controlled airspace having not been exposed to it from the beginning.
Is it hard to find employment?
This is our most commonly asked question. The opportunities for initial employment vary from time to time and from region to region. Generally, if you are prepared to look for work and relocate if necessary, then there will be a position available for you. The key to securing a position is persistence, do not give up at the first hurdle and always ask for guidance from our experienced team of instructors. Occasionally, you may have to accept part-time or casual employment to begin with; this is normal and should be seen as an opportunity to “learn the ropes” of the industry – it will certainly be worth it in the end. Many new pilots become instructors to build experience and flying hours. There is nothing wrong with this as long as the task is approached with dedication and enthusiasm. Some people are natural teachers and remain instructors throughout their career. We offer every one of our commercial pilots the opportunity to fly scenic flights for us on weekends as a helping hand to build your hours at no cost to you. We also have some fantastic contacts in the helicopter industry meaning that many of our commercial pilots are placed into a job straight after their training. Here is a list of just some of our students who are now in flying jobs after training with V Squared:
How much does it cost to learn?
Please scroll up to the pricing section above which details every cost involved in getting your Diploma.
How often should I fly?
We recommend that you fly at least once a week to avoid losing time recapping on previously learned material. On the other extreme, flying more than 3 lessons a day is not recommended as concentration levels will be reduced.
Is the theory difficult?
The theory requires some commitment from you and motivation which is best found in the classroom environment. There are no pre-requisites like superior maths or science skills required. We use simplified diagrams and charts to explain concepts but some application is required from you – at the end of the day you will be in command of a helicopter and we expect you to know your stuff. Many students have not been to school for years and pass with flying colours.
Is there accommodation nearby while I train?
Yes, we have teamed up with a local accommodation provider offering a private room and 3 meals a day for just $250 per week. The property is a 5 minute walk to Archerfield with plenty of amenities close by. If you require accommodation please call Diane on 0410 334 158.
Can I hire the helicopter afterwards?
Yes absolutely! We only hire our helicopters to students who have conducted training with us. That way we know our aircraft are in good hands.
Where can I fly once I have my CPL?
We have partnered with many awesome places all within an hour flight of Archerfield where you can land the helicopter for lunch or weekend getaway. These spectacular facilities include Spicers Peak Lodge, Sirromet Winery, Spicers Gold Coast, Eagle Heights Hotel, Sanctuary Cove, Couran Cove, Jupiters Casino, Noosa AFL club, Tangalooma Resort and many more.
Can you land anywhere in a helicopter?
Pretty much. All we need is the land owners permission and the area must be large enough to accommodate the helicopter safely. This gives us great flexibility in landing where we like – this is the beauty of helicopters!
How fast is the helicopter and what is the range?
The R22, 2 seat helicopter cruises at approximately 80 knots which is around 150kmh! This gives it a range of around 350km in nil wind; not bad for a little helicopter! The R44, 4 seat helicopter cruises around 120 knots which is around 220 kmh giving it a range of around 500km in nil wind.
How do I keep my licence current?
When you have your CPL in order to fly you must keep your medical current. You must also complete a Flight Review with an instructor once every 2 years. It is your responsibility to keep these up to date and strict penalties apply if you are found flying without a valid medial or flight review. There are no minimum hours to complete each year.
Is the medical tough to pass?
To become a commercial pilot a standard class 1 medical is required which includes eye, ear, blood and urine tests. You may also require an ECG on your initial medial. CASA have created a great medical help guide which can be found by clicking here.
Phone
(07) 3274 6666
Address
Hanger 219, Qantas Ave
Brisbane, Queensland
