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EASA Training

All the information you need about student visas and your opportunities to gain flight experience in America

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HELICOPTER EASA/FAA TRAINING

EASA PILOT TRAINING IN THE USA

Hillsboro Aero Academy started offering a combined FAA / EASA training program for helicopter pilots in 2020, in which our students can acquire the American FAA licenses and the required European EASA licenses.

In the past, pilots had to complete additional training in Europe after their time in the USA, which is very expensive and time-consuming. This is no longer necessary because the entire training, including exams and checkrides can be completed in the USA.

The combined program consists of our complete FAA Pro-Pilot program, FAA PPL, IFR, CPL and CFI licenses  and the EASA CPL (H) with ATPL theory. The training consists of around 200 flight hours, 150 hours of FAA theory, 60 hours of EASA theory and 590 hours of EASA self-study. The training duration is estimated around 15-21 months and is individually tailored to each student.

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COMBINE

THE BEST OF 2 WORLDS

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BENEFITS OF EASA TRAINING IN THE USA

The biggest hurdle for aspiring helicopter pilots in Europe is the fact that most helicopter companies require their pilots to have at least 800-1000 flight hours of experience. It is very difficult and tedious to reach this number of hours in Europe. 

In the USA, on the other hand, it is comparatively easy to find a job as a pilot immediately after training. With the F1 visa, our graduates can work legally in the USA as a pilot or flight instructor for up to 23.5 months after their training. You can return to Europe with up to 1500 hours of flight experience and work directly in Europe thanks to the EASA license you have acquired from us. Another advantage is that training in the USA is much cheaper.

  • Training in the USA is much cheaper than in Europe

  • With the F1 visa you can work in the USA for almost 2 years

  • Good job opportunities for pilots in the USA

  • Up to 1500 flight hours experience possible

  • Combined Europe and US licenses

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TIMELINE OF THE COMBINED EASA / FAA TRAINING WITH US

Students begin their training with the FAA Private Pilot License. After this is completed, the EASA theory begins, which lasts about 12 months and consists of 60 hours of instruction and 590 hours of structured self-study. At the same time, the FAA IFR and CPL training begins.

In each quarter of the year 3 to 4 of the 14 EASA subjects are worked through, in which the subjects learn with a combination of self-study,  classroom training and support by our EASA instructors. Each subject is completed with an EASA exam at the end of the quarter.

TIMELINE OF THE COMBINED EASA / FAA TRAINING WITH US

1

Registration process

  • Register online at: flyhaa.com/apply

  • You will take an English and a math test

  • After you passed all tests and submitted all documents, we issue the visa documents

  • You will receive instructions for the visa application and we support you in the process

2

Training preparation

  • After applying, you will have access to our online learning management system

  • This allows you to study prior to your start

  • In addition, we recommend the PlaneEnglish app to learn radio terminology

3

FAA Private Pilot License

60 hours of flight, 35 hours of ground

  • Now things really get going: from day 1 on you sit in the cockpit, gain experience and learn basic flight maneuvers

  • This is your first step on the way to your commercial license 

3 months before the training starts

4

FAA instrument rating

35 flight hours, 30 hours on the ground

  • Here you will learn everything you need to know about using the instruments

  • The weather here in the northwest and our Robinson R22 and R44 machines with the best equipment offer great opportunities to practice

5

EASA ATPL theory

590 hours online, 60 hours in the classroom

  • The theory for the EASA ATPL (air traffic pilot license) consists of online courses in self-study

  • In addition, there are quarterly rotating lessons in 14 subjects, followed by written exams in our test center

  • Before the EASA inspection flight, your English skills and radio experience will be tested again

6

FAA  Commercial Pilot

62 flight hours, 30 hours on the ground

  • If you want to get paid to fly, you'll need your Commercial Pilot Certificate

  • You get the private pilots
    Training and an introduction to
     
    advanced maneuvers

  • You will learn to fly higher and prepare more precise standards

7

EASA Commercial Pilot

35 flight hours

  • Here you will learn EASA-specific flight training with learning maneuvers that are not otherwise common in FAA courses

  • These include 360 ° turns, autorotation, sturdy autorotation, advanced hovering, and limited power takeoffs

FAA 

EASA 

EASA 

FAA 

EASA 

FAA 

After 11 months at Hillsboro Aero  Academy

FAA 

EASA 

8th

FAA  Flight Instructor

25 flight hours, 40 hours on the ground

  • As a certified flight instructor (CFI) you can give flight lessons and get paid as an instructor

  • In this course you will learn the basics of teaching including ground training and flight maneuvers

  • We also train to react appropriately to student actions in flight 

After 14 months at Hillsboro Aero  Academy

EASA 

FAA 

9

FAA  Instrument Instructor

5 hours of flight, 6 hours on the ground

  • This course builds on our Certified Flight Instructor rating to

  • We explain how to teach instrument basics and flight maneuvers

  • You will learn how best to help your students apply the necessary techniques

10

EASA Check Ride

  • The Check Ride is a test of your skills carried out by an EASA licensed examiner

  • Here it is checked whether the processes and maneuvers are safe and can be used

After 15 months at Hillsboro Aero  Academy

EASA 

FAA 

FLIGHT TRAINING COMPLETE

FAA 

EASA 

TURN YOUR DREAM INTO A CAREER

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