Helicopter Training Prices & Cost Guide
One of the first questions most people ask is:
How much does helicopter training cost?
This page explains aircraft hourly rates, typical lesson costs and the overall investment required to become a helicopter pilot in Australia.
Our goal is to provide clear, transparent pricing so you can plan your training at Bankstown Airport in Sydney with confidence
New to helicopter training? Start with our Helicopter Training in Sydney: Complete Guide.
1
Aircraft hourly rates
Flight training is charged based on engine running time, calculated in decimal flight time (6-minute increments).
Example: 0.6 hours flown = 0.6 × hourly aircraft rate.
All rates are all-inclusive with no hidden charges.
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Aircraft Hourly Rate ($AUD)
Guimbal Cabri G2 $690 / hour
Robinson R44 $1,050 / hour
Bell 206 $1,500 / hour
Airbus EC120 $2,000 / hour
GST applies to recreational, private and advanced flight training.
CPL training activities are GST-exempt.
2
Typical lesson cost
All flight lessons include:
• Pre-flight briefing
• Aircraft flight time (usually 1 - 1.5h)
• Post-flight debrief
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Aircraft Typical lesson cost
Cabri G2 ~$700 – $1,050 per lesson
R44 ~$1,050 – $1,575 per lesson
3
How often do students train?
Most students fly once per week while working, but you can train faster or slower depending on your goals and budget.
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Training pace Typical monthly spend
Part-time $2,500 – $4,500 / month
Accelerated Higher depending on schedule
4
Typical total training investment
Putting this together, many students want to understand the overall investment required to reach their licence goal.
Training goal Typical total investment
Trial Introductory Flight $650 special price
Private Pilot Licence (PPL) $35,000 – $55,000
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) $85,000 – $120,000+
Training is competency-based and varies between students.
5
What affects total training cost?
Training cost varies based on:
• Training frequency
• Study and preparation
• Individual learning pace
• Aircraft type used
• Weather and scheduling
Flying regularly helps reduce total training time and cost.
6
Pay-as-you-go training (no large deposits)
Many flight schools require large upfront deposits and offer discounts for bulk payments. At The Main Rotor Hub, every student receives our best rate whether paying lesson-by-lesson or in advance.
For your peace of mind:
• Advance payments are held in a separate trust account
• Funds are only used as training occurs
• Unused funds are refunded immediately on request
You are never locked into a fixed program.
Train at a pace that suits your lifestyle and budget.
7
What our hourly rate includes
Our advertised hourly rate is the full rate you pay us. There are no hidden charges such as landing charges, fuel levies, movement charges or additional operational fees. Some schools advertise lower hourly rates but add fees later — we believe in clear upfront pricing.
8
Third-party training costs
Some additional training associated costs are charged by external providers.
Item Typical Cost
Aviation headset $1,000 – $2,000
ASIC Security Card $250 – $300 every 2 years
CASA medical ~$300 per year
CASA theory exams* ~$250 per exam sitting
Study materials & navigation equipment Varies
*Number of theory exams required:
• PPL: 1 CASA exam
• CPL: 7 CASA exams
9
Instructor time
Instructor briefing, debriefing and flight time is included as part of your training costs when conducted in an aircraft supplied by The Main Rotor Hub.
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Instructor training costs in visiting aircraft are $200 per hour +GST​​
10
Adverse Weather and Late Cancellations Policy
Safety always comes first. If weather conditions are unsuitable for your stage of training:
• Your lesson will be rescheduled at no charge
• We will provide as much notice as possible
Weather cancellations are a normal part of aviation training, and we will always fly when it is safe to do so.
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We understand your plans can change, even on good weather days.
Please provide at least 24 hours notice if you wish to cancel a booking.
Late cancellations may incur a fee.​​
10
What happens after your Trial Introductory Flight?
After your first flight we:
• Discuss your goals
• Explain training pathways
• Provide personalised cost guidance
• Help plan your training schedule
​Is helicopter training worth the investment?
For recreational pilots, helicopter training opens the door to a lifetime of flying.
For career pilots, it is the first step toward employment in aviation.
Get in Touch
Have questions about training costs? Contact our team to discuss your goals and training plan.