Flight School
Become a Helicopter Pilot
One-on-One Instruction
Private Airfields
Complete Pilot Pathway
Pilot Training Pathway
Begin with PPL. Become a Commercial Pilot.
Every professional helicopter pilot begins their journey with the Private Pilot Licence (PPL-H). From there, pilots can progress toward the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL-H) and develop the skills required for a professional aviation career. Helivate provides a clear and structured pathway from your first flight to becoming a commercial helicopter pilot.
Private Pilot Licence (PPL-H)
The Private Pilot Licence (PPL-H) is the foundation of helicopter flight training. During this stage, students learn the fundamentals of helicopter operations, flight control, navigation, and aviation safety.
Key Training Elements:
Minimum 50 hours of flight training
35 hours dual instruction with an instructor
Cross-country flight experience
15 hours solo flight training
Ground school and aviation theory
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL-H)
Turn Your Passion into a Professional Career
The Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL-H) is designed for pilots who want to pursue aviation professionally. This advanced training builds on the skills gained during PPL training and focuses on precision flying, advanced decision-making, and real-world operational experience.
Pilots must accumulate 200 total flight hours to qualify for the CPL-H licence.
Training focuses on:
Advanced flight handling
Professional aviation procedures
Operational decision-making
Real-world flying scenarios
WHY TRAIN WITH HELIVATE?
Professional Instruction
Train with qualified instructors committed to high standards and safety.
Scale & Reliability
Pristine R44 fleet. Meticulously maintained. High availability for every flight.
Private Airfield Advantage
No congestion. No unnecessary delays. Just focused flight time.
Complete Pilot Pathway
From Private Pilot Licence to Commercial Pilot and advanced ratings.
Beyond the Cockpit
The Helivate Advantage
At Helivate, we don’t just teach you to fly — we shape confident, accomplished pilots. From your first solo to advanced commercial ratings, we provide the elite environment required to master the skies.
Strategic Training Bases
Operating from Krugersdorp (Gauteng) and Cape Winelands Airport (Western Cape). We provide premium instruction in uncontrolled, distraction-free airspace. Maximum safety. Optimized value. Focused flight time.
Expert Mentorship
Our instructors are more than teachers; they are career aviators. Highly qualified. Deeply experienced. Committed to delivering the highest global standards in aviation training.
Technical Excellence
We don’t outsource our safety. Helivate operates its own Part 145 Maintenance Facility. Our large R44 fleet is maintained in-house by our own dedicated technicians. Pristine aircraft. Total oversight. Absolute reliability.
Your Journey to Excellence
Choosing Helivate means choosing a path to becoming a truly accomplished pilot. With the right tools, the right fleet, and the right mentors, your aviation career starts on the strongest possible foundation.
Train on the Robinson R44
Your aviation journey can start here — and go as far as you want it to.
We provide a complete helicopter career pathway:
PPL and CPL flight training
Ground School
Study Material
CAA Exams
Turbine Rating
Night Rating
Flight Instructor Rating
Flexible Hour Building
WHY FLY?
The Ultimate Freedom of Flight
Whether you’re flying for elite lifestyle or a professional career, a helicopter license is your ultimate passport. No runways. No congestion. No limits.
Command Your Time
Turn hours of driving into minutes of flight.
Global Opportunity
Open doors to high-stakes careers in tourism, charter, or emergency services.
Unrivaled Access
Land at remote lodges, private estates, or hidden coastal gems.
Master the Machine
Join an elite community of pilots who view the world from a different perspective.
From PPL to CPL — become an accomplished pilot with Helivate.
Inside Our Flight Training
A glimpse into real helicopter training at Helivate.
From ground school to take-off — every step is hands-on.
Pre-Flight Briefing
Understanding systems and safety before takeoff.
Pre-Flight Inspection
Every flight starts with a detailed pre-flight. Safety First.
Hands-On Flying
Students take control under instructor supervision.
Cockpit Familiarisation
Learning instruments and flight procedures.
Cross-Country Flights
Real-world navigation experience.
Real Life Scenario Training
Learn skills beyond just the prescribed syllabus .
Your Journey Starts Here
If you already have your helicopter pilot licence and would like to enhance your skills and/ or increase your employment prospects, we offer a variety of advanced training options:
Night Rating
Flight Instructor Rating
Sling Rating
TUrbine Rating
As most flight training is conducted in piston engine helicopters, if you wish to operate a turbine-powered helicopter you will need to obtain a rating for each type of helicopter you wish to fly
night Rating
This allows you to fly in Visual Flying Rules (VFR) conditions at night. Even if you don’t need to fly at night this is a good rating to have to improve your skills.
Instrument Rating
For the aspiring professional pilot, or for the dedicated Private Pilot, the instrument rating takes you into the world of advanced flight, giving you the capability of flying, navigating and landing in weather conditions that would keep the birds on the ground.
You will have encountered the basics of instrument flight during your night rating training, and these 10 hours of instrument time are counted towards your Instrument Rating training. From this base, you now learn radio navigation, controlled airspace communication, holding procedures, en-route risk management, approach and go-around procedures, transition to visual and landing in reduced visibility. Abnormalities and emergencies are continuously introduced and appropriate behaviour is emphasised
sling Rating
This rating is a requirement for helicopter pilots working in the areas of firefighting, search and rescue, and mining and logging. Sling load operations are one of the most technically difficult skills to master and require a high level of concentration, so completing this training is guaranteed to increase your flying ability and career prospects.
We have highly-experienced instructors available to train you for Long Line and Short Line Sling endorsements on the Alouette III. Minimum flight time required for this rating is determined by your instructor and dependent on the time it takes you to become proficient in the operation.
instructor Rating
To achieve the instructor rating, you will need to develop your skills and knowledge in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) syllabus. This includes a requirement of 20-hour course which covers all aspects of patter and left-seat flying sequences. The theoretical component, commonly known as ‘Briefings’, will total 20 hours.