Helicopter flying is expensive. Most training type helicopters rent for somewhere in the area of about $225-250/hour. Instructor fees run about $35/hr. It will take you probably close to 80 hours of lessons/practice to obtain your license.
One alternative you may wish to consider is obtaining a fixed wing private pilot's license to start with to learn the basics of flight and rules/regulation and then go on to get your helicopter or "Rotary" rating. Although helicopters fly very differently from fixed wing craft, there are some simiarities in principles to know and your overall becoming comfortable in flight. Most fixed wing rental aircraft rent for around $90-125/hr.
Many large airports have helicopter schools. If you look online, you can find more. Just investigate them thoroughly and make sure of their practices and financing. If you just want to fly for fun, then I would recommend staying with a fixed wing unless you're wealthy. If you're looking at a career, go with a good, certified school that will give you all the ratings you need, Commercial, Instrument, maybe Instructor, etc.
What the first guy said is pretty accurate. Unless you're rich its way too expensive just to be a hobby. If you're looking into getting a commercial rating it'll set you back atleast 10 grand. Around $200-$250 an hr with an instructor would be a pretty good estimate for an R-22. But thats not an entirely safe aircraft plus a rating on one is pretty much worthless. Also it'll take atleast 10 hrs of practice befor you can even fly the thing, and thats regaurdless of what type of helicopter. If your just looking for a hobby try fixed wing, single engine pipers and cesnas are pretty cheap. Good luck!
I'm not sure where Tim L (see above) got his info, but here in the U.S. you don't need to be an airplane pilot before you can become a helicopter pilot. I know lots of people who began their aviation career in helicopters without flying airplanes first.
I do recommend that if you are truly interested in flying helicopters and you want to learn to fly them, start by saving up for lessons. On average, helicopter flight time per hour is about twice what you would pay for airplane flight time. The mistake most beginning students make is they start their lessons without having enough money to complete their lessons. That would be a waste of money.
While you are saving to take lessons, study about helicopters. Go on line and read about helicopters and flying. Ask questions about helicopters and flying. Learn what you can from people who fly helicopters. Then when you start taking lessons you will have a good working knowledge about helicopters and what it takes to get your pilots license.
Good Luck
as the first guy said is right. But you have to remember that you first have to get your airplane licenses and get instrument qualified then go for helicopters. So it takes a while to get to the point you to start helicopter training. Go for it I hope you do and do well.
I know getting a helicopter liscence is pretty expensive, but there is always the possiblilty of joining the army. I joined right out of high school, went straight to flight school and have been flying attack helicopters for the army for the past 6 years. Just a thought.
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