Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 208; Flight Crew Total 1473; Flight Crew Type 1291
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
After two right 360s we were told to extend downwind for runway X; and look for helicopter traffic (Aircraft Y) three miles west of the field at 700 feet. We called out traffic in sight; and continued. After Aircraft Y didn't respond to two radio calls; we were told to do another 360. Rolling out of the 360 we were told to look for Aircraft Y one mile ahead at 900 feet orbiting. We called traffic in sight; and began a climb to 1;300 feet. It appeared as though Aircraft Y was still climbing as they passed in front from our left to right. After a controller change; Tower called our position to Aircraft Y; they did not respond. Shortly after that call; Aircraft Y made a sharp climbing right turn directly into our flight path. To avoid a collision; I took the controls and made a climbing left turn as sharp as I could. Shortly after I started that turn; Aircraft Y banked sharply to their right to avoid us. I can't put an exact number on the distance between us; but it was close enough that I felt the need to bank sharply towards traffic on final; and Aircraft Y banked hard enough for us to see the bottom of their helicopter. Once a safe distance away; we turned to rejoin downwind; and began a descent back to pattern altitude. After that; Aircraft Y asked tower to keep aircraft away from that area while they followed a pursuit. Hearing other aircraft have difficulty with separation; we departed the pattern to ZZZ1 to avoid a similar situation.It is normal for us to fly over helicopter operations at 500-600 feet while in the pattern at 1;100 feet. It is not normal to fly the pattern with unpredictable traffic at the same altitude.
Flight Instructor reported a NMAC with a helicopter.