 Obtaining your pilots licence is dependent on practical flying lessons and theory (written) exams. This section details the flying training requirements. For information on the theory application and full details of obtaining a pilots licence, please go to the PPL (H) section.
How to get started.
If you have never flown before you would normally take a introductory lesson or a half-day introductory course.
INTRODUCTORY LESSON
This includes preflight briefing on basic helicopter procedures and aircraft controls - preflight inspection - start up and shut down procedures for the helicopter. In the air: level flight, turns, power changes (if time and aptitude permit) and a short introduction to hovering. Click here for a brief description of what happens during a introductory lesson.
Introductory lessons cost:
£165.00 inclusive of VAT for a 25-30 minute flight
£218.00 inclusive of VAT for a 40-45 minute flight
£270.00 inclusive of VAT for a 60 minute flight
HALF-DAY INTRODUCTORY COURSE - R22.
Once you've had the introductory lesson, you may be still unconvinced that the whole course is for you. So, to help you make your mind up finally we can offer an all day introduction which would include 2 hours helicopter flight time in the R22. All pre and post flight briefings which cover effects of the controls, power and attitude changes, turns, climbs and descents and an introduction to hovering, perhaps the most challenging part of helicopter flying. If you wish to do this in the 4 seated R44 machine please contact us.
Half day introductory course cost:£479.00 inclusive of VAT
Helicopter tuition is carried out in the ROBINSON R22 BETA, a two-place piston engined helicopter. With nearly 4500 machines produced and 17 years in the training market, the R22 is one of the most popular training machines and certainly one of the most reliable. Thurston Helicopters provides training at Headcorn Aerodrome in Kent.
To obtain your Private Pilots Licence PPL(H), "probably one of the most satisfying things you will ever do", you are required to fly a minimum of 45 hours (this is reduced to 39 if you already hold a PPL(A))of which ten hours must be solo and you must successfully complete a skills test..
Before taking your Skills Tests you are required to reach a certain level of ability that may take longer than the 45-hour minimum mentioned above.
To maintain your license you must, by law, fly a minimum of 2 hours every 12 months per type on your licence and pass an on going proficiency test with an examiner in that time.
HELICOPTER TRAINING EXERCISES
The helicopter PPL flying course is designed as a structured training program with set exercises to be completed in a strict order. Set out below are all the exercises which will be covered.
1a, 1b & 2 Familiarisation. Pre & Post Flight Actions, Emergencies. Ground Briefs Only.
3 Air Experience.
4 Effects of Controls.
5 Power & Attitude Changes.
6a Straight & Level Flight.
6b Climbing.
6c Descending.
6d Turning.
7 Basic Autorotation.
8a Hovering.
8b Hover taxing, Spot turns.
8c Hovering, Taxing Emergencies.
9 Take-off and Landing.
10 Transitions form Hover to Climb and Approach to Hover.
11a Circuit, Approach and Landing.
11b Steep and Limited Power Approaches and Landings.
11c Emergencies. (Abandoned take-off, missed approach,etc.)
12 First Solo.
13 Sideways and Backwards Flight.
14 Spot Turns.
15 Hover Out of Ground Effect (OGE), Vortex Ring.
16 Simulated Engine Off Landings. (EOL)
17 Advanced Autorotations.
18 Practice Forced Landings.
19 Steep Turns.
20 Transitions.
21 Quick Stops.
22a Navigation.
22b Navigation problems at Low Heights and in Reduced Visability.
22c Radio Navigation.
23 Advanced Take-off, Landings and Transitions.
24 Sloping Ground.
25 Limited Power.
26 Confined Areas.
27 Basic Instrument Flight.
28a Night Flying (if night qualification required).
28b Night Cross Country (if night qualification required).
REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY TO TRAINING
Before being accepted for training an applicant should be informed that the appropriate medical certificate and a Pass in Air Law & Operational Procedures must be obtained before solo flying is permitted.
HELICOPTER TRAINING COSTS (not a current holder of a PPL (A))
Prices as from 01 March 2008
- By the hour
£230 per ad-hoc flying hour
45 Hours @ £230 +VAT = £12,161 inc VAT
- By Prepayment of 10 hour blocks
4.5 x £2190 per 10 hour block +VAT = £11,579 inc VAT
This represents a saving of nearly £600 compared with paying by the hour as shown above.
HELICOPTER TRAINING COSTS (current holder of a PPL (A))
- By the hour
£230 per ad-hoc flying hour
39hrs @ £230 + VAT = £10,540 inc VAT
- By Prepayment of 3.9 x 10 hour blocks
at £219 per hour i.e.
3.9 x £2,190 + VAT = £10,036 inc VAT
All of the above prices have been updated as from 1st May, 2007 as a result of further continuing rising fuel prices which show no signs of slowing down.
Please note the above schemes include all pre and post flight briefings for the flying part of your training. Also included are all landing fees at Headcorn (NB Many schools do not include these). However, landing fees away from Headcorn will be extra. Also, please note that the total prices above (marked in bold include VAT. Tuition for the academic exams, Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, Radio Telephony Helicopter Technical and Human Performance is not included in the above prices. This can be arranged on a one to one basis or as a self-study course as desired.
There are also further fees payable of £30 per ground exam taken
and £200 for the Skills Test.
March 2008: We are continuing to suffer from very volatile fuel prices so all these rates are subject to change without notice.
We also now supply a Student Study Pack which contains all the books, training materials including maps & charts. It comes in its own carrying case for £350 inc. VAT where applicable. If these items were purchased separately they would could in excess of £400 |
