Helicopter pilot training CPL (H): DRF Academy says goodbye to graduates

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The DRF Academy celebrated a significant milestone on June 27, 2025: Eight graduates of the professional helicopter pilot course received their Commercial Pilot License (Helicopter), or CPL (H) for short, after two years of intensive training.

The ceremonial farewell, at which six men and two women received their licenses, is exemplary of the commitment of the DRF Academy and DRF Air Rescue to train qualified young pilots and thus make an important contribution to the safety and future viability of aviation.

The DRF Academy has been established as a training center for professional helicopter pilots since 2022 and has continuously grown in importance since then. The training is aimed not only at those interested in aviation with a technical affinity, but also at those seeking a career as a professional pilot in the air rescue sector. Practical theory and intensive flight training lay a solid foundation for future careers.

Pilot training at the DRF Academy: content and practice

The training at the DRF Academy is comprehensive and demanding. It includes both extensive theory and practical flying lessons. The theoretical content includes aviation law, flight technology, navigation, and aerodynamics, supplemented by basic emergency medical knowledge, which is particularly important in the emergency services.

Under the guidance of experienced flight instructors from the DRF Academy and DRF Air Rescue, the student pilots complete their flight lessons on Robinson R44 Raven II helicopters in a practical setting. These practical flight training sessions take place both in Bühl and at the Operations Center at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport. This dual-track approach ensures comprehensive and varied pilot training that optimally prepares the pilots for future missions.

Significance for air rescue and personnel requirements

By training qualified professional helicopter pilots, the DRF Academy makes a significant contribution to maintaining and improving air rescue in Germany. Dr. Krystian Pracz, Chairman of the Board of the DRF Air Rescue Foundation, emphasizes the relevance of the Academy: “In order to reliably meet the personnel needs at our air rescue stations in the future, we rely on qualified helicopter pilots. With the training at our DRF Academy, we are specifically developing young pilots at an early stage – a strong foundation for the future of our organization.”

The successfully trained pilots have not only acquired an important qualification, but also the prospect of contributing to the safety of numerous people in need by supporting DRF Air Rescue team members during operations.

Helicopter pilot: Successes since the start of training and outlook

Since the start of basic training in 2022, several cohorts have already been trained – a total of six student pilots last year and now eight graduates in 2025. This success underlines the increasing interest and growing importance of pilot training at the DRF Academy.

Those interested in pursuing a career as a professional helicopter pilot have the opportunity to apply for the fifth training course. The next course will begin in 2026, and applications are accepted until July 31, 2025.

Further information on training and applications can be found on the official website of the DRF Academy at https://www.drf-akademie.de/flugbetrieb/pilotenausbildung.

Conclusion

With its qualified training for professional helicopter pilots, the DRF Academy makes an important contribution to the safe and sustainable operation of air rescue in Germany. This commitment to training young pilots not only advances the graduates’ personal careers but also strengthens the entire air rescue organization in the long term. For those interested in aviation and potential applicants, the DRF Academy offers an excellent opportunity to pursue their dream of becoming a professional pilot with precision and professionalism.

This training is not only an opportunity for the graduates, but also a benefit for society, which can count on well-trained pilots in critical operational situations.