Completion standards: MDHI flight training does not give a customer a new airman's certificate or rating. Pilot competence is based on meeting the requirements outlined in the Practical Test Standards for the type of rating held. Pilots who successfully complete both ground and flight instruction will receive a certificate of completion for the course attended.

PILOT TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Before transition or recurrent training begins, customers must provide proof of the following:

• A valid helicopter rating (minimum of a private rotorcraft rating) and current medical certificate.
• A signed hold harmless statement.

TRANSITION FLIGHT COURSE

Transition training familiarizes appropriately rated helicopter pilots with MD500, MD520N, MD530, MD600, and MD Explorer helicopter systems and operation.

This five-day course includes ground school and flight training. The ground school segment covers publications, aircraft systems, operational procedures, and preflight inspection procedures. Four to five hours of flight time includes practice of normal flight and selected emergency procedures.

RECURRENT FLIGHT COURSE

Recurrent flight training provides a review for experienced and current MD500E, MD520N MD530F, MD600N, and MD Explorer pilots. The recurrent course utilizes flight review, proficiency checks or other checks whose purpose is to review rules, maneuvers and procedures to demonstrate a pilot's existing skills.

This three-day course includes ground school and two to three hours of flight time. If a biennial flight review is requested, a FAR Part 91 open-book examination and review will be conducted at no additional cost. The BFR must be requested at the time of registration.

Ground school includes review of airworthiness directives and notices, helicopter systems, pilot flight manual review, preflight inspection, and an open-book exam.

MD EXPLORER AUTOPILOT FAMILIARIZATION COURSE

This two-day course will introduce the customer to the limitations and performance of the MD Explorer autopilot system as well as normal and emergency procedures. This course includes one to two hours of flight time.

MD 530F AND MD 520N DIFFERENCES COURSE

This two-day course is designed to qualify experienced MD500 series pilots in either the MD520N or MD530F.

A one-day ground school identifies differences in the helicopter. Two to three hours of flight time is provided.

INSTRUCTOR PILOT TRAINING COURSE

This course is intended for pilots who have attended an MDHI Factory Pilot’s Transition Course and are in possession of a Helicopter CFI rating. Transition training may be scheduled simultaneously with instructor pilot training while qualifying a ‘‘new-hire’’ for an instructor pilot position. The skills and techniques learned will enable the pilot to conduct training pursuant to applicable FAR’s and MDHI standards in the appropriate MD helicopter. Training last three days and includes approximately 8 hours of academic instruction and approximately two to three flight hours.

MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT PROCEDURES COURSE

The maintenance test flight procedures course is designed for pilots who have attended a factory pilot transition course. Pilots will become familiar with the procedures and techniques necessary to perform maintenance test flights and evaluate completed maintenance actions. Training includes one day of ground school and academics and two to three hours of flight time.

NIGHT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES COURSE

The night emergency procedures course develops pilot confidence in his or her the ability to successfully resolve emergency procedures during night operations. Ground school subjects include an understanding of how the human eye works at night, challenges to unaided night vision, and procedure execution. One of the two hours of flight procedures are taught in a build-up manner, and include autorotations to touchdown and inadvertent flight into IMC. This course is taught in the MD500E.