Helicopters :: Training
One to one personal Training for Private Pilot's Licence (Helicopter), PPL(H).
The Private Pilot's Licence (Helicopter), normally abbreviated to PPL(H), course consists of a minimum of 45 hours flying training. This period is split into a minimum of 25 hours with your instructor and minimum of 10 hours solo.
During the first phase of training you will learn the effects of the flying controls and quickly become proficient at flying the helicopter in several modes:
- Straight and level
- Turning
- Climbing and descending
- Hovering
In the second phase you will learn the more advanced techniques of controlling your aircraft:
- Sideways and backwards flight
- Turning steeply
- Control in an emergency
- Advanced 'autorotative' techniques (landing safely following engine failure).
In the third phase of training you will start to really 'use' your helicopter.
This phase includes navigation in which you learn all the techniques necessary to visually navigate yourself safely and expeditiously around the country. You will then learn how to land on sloping ground and how to safely fly your machine into and out of a restricted or confined area such as a small paddock surrounded by trees.
There is also an appreciation of flying by reference to instruments alone, showing you how to safely exit cloud if entered in error.
Finally, when ready and after some revision sorties, you will be put forward for your 'final handling test' with an examiner who will test both your flying ability and technical knowledge.
Throughout the flying training we will also work you up to pass the ground school exams, recommending you all the necessary text books and ground training. The exams are not difficult by you will have to revise at home to attain the required level of knowledge. All the exams are in multi-choice format.
The ground school subjects consist of:
- Aviation Law & Operational Procedures
- Aircraft General & Principles of Flight
- Flight Performance & Planning
- Human Performance and Limitations
- Meteorology
- Navigation
- Radiotelephony
We have an Ground School Examiner on staff to advise your on your 'mock' examinations and to conduct the final written tests.
Although this list may at first seem daunting, once you have started training the ground school forms a logical and common sense part of the PPL(H) course.
Having passed all your ground exams and final handling test you will be awarded your Private Pilots License (Helicopters). This entitles you to fly the helicopter you trained on, in visual flight conditions and to carry passengers, [but not for hire or reward], wherever you wish.
When you want to fly another type of helicopter you must undertake a short conversion course including another flight test. To maintain the currency of your license you must fly a minimum of ten hours per year.
Training is offered for Private Pilots Licence (Helicopters) for ab-initio and fixed wing licence holders. It is not necessary for students to have any previous experience prior to commencing the course.
The Civilian Aviation Authority (CAA) requires a student to complete a minimum of 45 hours flying training: A maximum reduction of six hours is given for students already holding a fixed wing licence.
The flying training includes no fewer than ten hours solo flight, including:
- Five hours solo cross country with at least one journey covering at least 100 nautical miles, with two full stop landings at aerodromes. The aerodromes must be different from the aerodrome of departure.
- A final handling test.
The course is usually conducted at the Cornwall Flying Club, Bodmin Airfield, which is conveniently located beside the A30, three miles north east of Bodmin.
We use the highly respected Schweizer 300C, piston powered, two to three seater helicopter (two seater in training configuration) for flying training (see picture below). The aircraft is fitted with dual controls and is a utility machine used in many different roles throughout the world.
For costs please see the appropriate page. No charge is made for pre and post flight briefings. All charges are exclusive of VAT.
At the end of the course you will receive your Private Pilots Licence (Helicopters) which entitles you to fly for private purposes including the carriage of passengers. Self-fly hire of our helicopters is available.
A popular first step with people who want to know more about flying a helicopter is a Trial Lesson. This will give you an insight into the fun of helicopters where you will actually fly it in the hover and other flight modes. We even have a helicopter simulator to assist you to learn and progress even after you have qualified.
Please do not hesitate to contact Kevin Foster for a detailed discussion of the course and for a trial flying lesson.
Flight Training Syllabus for Private Pilots Licence (Helicopters)
- Familiarisation with Aircraft
- Preparation for Flight and Action After Flight
- Air Experience
- Effects of Controls
- Power and Attitude Changes
- Level Flight, Climbing, Descending and Turning
- Autorotations
- Hovering and Hover Taxiing
- Take Off and Landing
- Transitions and Hover Taxying
- Circuits and Emergencies - Including Demonstration Engine Off Landings
- First Solo
- Sideways and Backward Flight
- Spot Turns
- Vortex Ring
- Engine Off Landings
- Advanced Autorotations
- Forced Landings
- Steep Turns
- Precision Transitions
- Quickstops
- Pilot Navigation
- Advanced Take-Offs, Landings and Transitions
- Sloping Ground
- Limited Power
- Restricted Area
- Instrument flying
- Flight Test for PPL(H)
