The AVI50319 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter)

There are funding options available to eligible students. Get in touch with us to discuss your circumstances.

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.

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:

• Kolby North – Powerline Surveys
• Sean Hedland – Mustering Cattle
• Craig Storno-Bown – Mustering Cattle
• Luke Newman – Tourism/Photography/Charter
• Charlie Rickett – Mustering Cattle
• Dylan Hall – Powerline Surveys
• Judd Pickert – Tourism/Photography/Charter
• Stuart McBean – Powerline Surveys
• Jimmy Cole – Tourism/Photography/Charter
• Jack Poplawski – Mustering Cattle
• Brett Smith – Tourism/Photography/Charter
• Kevin Holden – Mustering Cattle
• Jake Pretorius – Powerline Surveys
• Jack Speed – Mustering Cattle
• Mithun Patel – Tourism/Photography/Charter
• Sam Hughes – Tourism/Photography/Charter
• Rebecca Saunus – Tourism/Photography/Charter
• Ben Nelson – Tourism/Photography/Charter
• Leslie Caldwell – Mustering Cattle
• Courtney Ryan – Tourism/Photography/Charter
• Tom Peacock – Mustering Cattle
• Beau Harrington – Mustering Cattle
• Bill Knight – Mustering Cattle
• David Gordon – Tourism/Photography/Charter
• Kobi Schooley – Tourism/Photography/Charter/Mustering
• This could be you!

Please scroll up to the pricing section above which details every cost involved in getting your Diploma.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.