Civilian Rotor Transition Program
Paragon Flight is an outstanding source of flight instruction based here in Fort Myers, Florida. We strive to provide the best flight instructors, curriculum, and aircraft possible. Our flight training programs run the gamut from first timers to advanced pilots seeking further training. The Civilian Rotor Transition Program allows us to help helicopter pilots earn their Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification.
Our expertise, experience, and dedication have earned us awards and recognition regularly. We’re dedicated to assisting pilots of all stripes earn their wings, including rotor pilots who desire to become fixed-wing pilots.
The training program we offer is personalized based upon existing hours of flight time and skill. When helicopter pilots decide to transition to fixed-wing airline pilots, their current knowledge of navigation and aeronautics gives them a leg up. It doesn’t hurt that they already speak aviation lingo!
When you enter the program, we’ll establish your current hours and the requirements that still need to be met. We provide the instructors, aircraft, curriculum, and location that work together to make your goals far easier to achieve.
Paragon Flight instructors are nationally accredited flight instructors dedicated to producing quality pilots in full safety. Our aircraft are also completely modern and safe. Each is Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA), and the available options include the Cessna 172 Skyhawk, the Cessna Stationair C206H, the Cirrus SR20 and SR22, and the Piper PA-44 Seminole. All are outfitted with glass cockpit technology, the modern standard of navigation tools, to make sure that our pilots are familiar with the tools they’ll use in the future.
The requirements for the Civilian Rotor Transition Program do not include any experience with fixed-wing or multi-engine aircraft. We do require a familiarity with flight, however. Military pilots need 500 total hours in the sky, 100 of which are spent flying cross country. They should also have 75 hours of night flying and 75 of instrument monitoring. Civilian helicopter pilots, on the other hand, will require 1,250 total flight hours, 100 hours across country, 75 hours of night flying, and 75 hours of instrument time.
To complete the program and earn an R-ATP certificate, pilots will need to complete certain requirements. For military helicopter pilots, this time will include 750 hours total, 200 across country, 100 at night, 75 reading instruments, and 25 of multi-engine flight. Civilian helicopter pilots should complete 1,500 total hours, 200 across country, 100 at night, 75 of instrument time, and 25 hours of multi-engine flight.
An often-overlooked factor, the weather around Fort Myers is consistently sunny 350 days or more per year. This many days of ideal flight weather, in combination with the close proximity of the airports and practice fields in the area, encourages a speedy completion of the requirements you will face in the Rotor Transition Program.
Paragon Flight accepts the GI bill and works with We Florida Financial to make sure that money never overpowers your flight plans.
We are proud to offer a superior program of flight instruction. Our instructors will fully prepare you for your new occupation. Paragon Flight’s Rotor Transition Program provides both civilian and military pilots with an easy way to build upon experience and knowledge to become airline pilots. For more info, call (239) 274-3170 to discuss where you are and how far you need to go.
