Add-on Rotorcraft for Fixed-Wing Pilots
You already know airspace, weather, radios and regulations. What you need is a helicopter, a CFII and the hours to make hovering and autorotations second nature. Typically 25–35 hours, $22,000–$30,000 depending on hours — and your Discovery Flight is credited toward the program.
By booking or purchasing, you acknowledge the inherent risks of helicopter flight and agree to our Liability Waiver & Assumption of Risk.
What carries over, and what doesn't
You already have
- Airspace, weather and regulations
- Radio work and airport operations
- Cross-country planning and navigation
- Aeronautical decision-making and risk management
- Flight time that counts toward your total
You'll learn from scratch
- Hovering, hover taxi and pedal turns
- Autorotations — straight-in, 180° and to a spot
- Confined-area, pinnacle and slope operations in real terrain
- Rotorcraft aerodynamics: retreating blade stall, settling with power, low-G and mast bumping
- SFAR 73 awareness training for the Robinson R44
Because your knowledge transfers, the add-on takes a fraction of the time of an initial helicopter certificate. Most fixed-wing pilots finish in 25–35 hours, which at our all-in rate works out to roughly $22,000–$30,000 depending on where in that range you land. The helicopter solo and dual minimums for the category still apply; the number of hours is driven by how quickly the hover clicks and how often you can fly.
Three steps from your first hover to the checkride
Discovery Flight
Thirty minutes on the controls of the R44 Raven II with a CFII. $249 plus a $12.50 fuel surcharge through October 31, 2026 (regularly $375). Enroll within 30 days and it is credited toward your program.
Train at $750 per Hobbs hour, all-in
Aircraft, fuel and CFII in one number. Ground instruction is $75 per hour and the online ground school is free. Ask whether a prepaid PPL-H block fits your plan — see the blocks on the training page.
Checkride
When you and Walter agree you are ready, you take the practical test for the rotorcraft-helicopter category. The examiner's fee is a third-party cost; ask us for current local figures.
Mountain terrain, uncongested airspace, a resident CFII
Harris Airport (83K) sits at the edge of the Adirondacks: ridgelines, confined areas and real weather decisions are minutes away, and the pattern is rarely busy enough to cost you a lesson holding short. Walter Dusseldorp — CFII (Helicopter) and a Private Pilot ASEL himself — knows exactly which airplane habits help in a helicopter and which ones will fight you in the hover. Weekday lessons are by appointment, with full availability November through April.
Coming from a distance? Ask about private quarters at the hangar or a B&B setting at Walter's home, offered at no additional cost with block-time training; see the housing details.
Student story: Michael Galli earned his Private Pilot – Helicopter at NCHF in December 2025 and is now in Instrument/Commercial training. Michael is also a partner in North Country Heli Flight; we share his story with his approval.
Tell us about your fixed-wing time
Your certificate, your total time and when you'd like to start. We'll map out an add-on plan and reply within 24 hours.
Send the enrollment form Call (518) 634-6375
Or email info@flyheliadk.com