Private Helicopter Pilot Licence Training
The Private Pilots licence (PPL(H) involves a minimum of 45hrs flight training. This course is tailored to you and can either be a full time intensive course, or less strenuous course conducted at a pace to suit your own requirements and budget. During your training you will also be required to complete a series of Civil Aviation Authority multiple choice ground exams, invigilated and marked in house. You will also need to obtain a Medical from a local CAA approved doctor before being allowed to fly solo.
You can complete your training for the PPL(H) on either our Robinson R22 or R44s, the Schweizer H269 (otherwise known as a Hughes 300) or the larger turbine engined EC120 or AS350 helicopters.
| Course Requirements |
|---|
| Age | 14 for the training to count towards a licence.
16 to fly solo.
17 to hold a licence.
|
| Medical Requirements | None to commence training
JAA Class 1 or 2 to fly solo. |
| Minimum Flying Hours | 45 hrs prior to test. |
| Theoretical Knowledge Level | PPL(H) Exams Passed Prior to Test |
| See LASORS 2010 Section C for more details... |
|---|
Flying
The course involves at least 45 hours of flying, 25 hours flying with an instructor, 10 hours of flying on your own under the guidance of one of our experienced instructors, 5 of these hours are spent navigating around the country and you will visit at least two other airfields on your own during your course. You will also complete 5 hours of flying by reference to instruments.
Solo Flying
Your course will involve you flying at least 10 hours on your own, 5 of which will be away from the airfield. You will never forget the first time you fly a helicopter on your own, everyone takes away something special from the experience. During the solo portion of the course you will go on a trip involving visiting two airfields away from base on the same day, this is your qualifying cross country flight and will occur at some point towards the end of the course.
Ground Exams
The training for the CAA multiple choice written exams normally involves self study at your own pace at home, although you can if you wish be tutored by one of our instructors in preparation for the exams. The subjects you are required to learn about are
- Air Law
- Human Performance and Limitations
- Flight Planning and Performance
- Radio Telephony
- Meteorology
- Principles of Flight
- Navigation
End of Course Flight Test
At the end of your course you will undertake a Licence Skills Test (LST) with a CAA Authorised Examiner (we have one full time, and three part time freelance examiners), this gives you a chance to prove you can handle the aircraft, operate it safely and navigate to the satisfaction of the CAA who will then issue your private pilots licence. The test can usually be completed in a morning or afternoon and involves around one and three quarter hours of flying.
PPL Course Fees
| PPL Training per hour in an R22 Helicopter | £240.00 | exc. VAT |
| PPL Training per hour in an R44 Helicopter | £400.00 | exc. VAT |
| PPL Training per hour in an H269 Helicopter | £285.00 | exc. VAT |
| PPL Training per hour in an EC120 Helicopter | £600.00 | exc. VAT |
| PPL Training per hour in an AS350 Helicopter | £750.00 | exc. VAT |