The Private Pilots Licence (H) is more than a ticket to fly - it will become a way of life. Our aim is to help you in this process of change. The PPL(H) is a foundation stone for all your future flying - whether that be for purely recreational, private ownership or commercial purposes.

Based on a firm understanding of knowledge gained from our vast experience in helicopter training, you will graduate from the Helicentre not just as a pilot but, as an airman willing to continue to learn through your flying career.

There are two main parts included in the course of training provided by the Helicentre:

• The Flight Training

An Instructor will be nominated and dedicated to you throughout the course. It is advisable to keep the same instructor throughout your training, although an occasional training period with a different instructor will often be beneficial.

• The Ground School

Ground study is the cement that turns your PPL(H) into an achievement of merit and develops your skills as an airman. In preparation for the examinations, your instructor will be responsible for managing your study programme and is available for extra tutoring to enable you to achieve your required goal.

The Helicentre prides itself on the high standard of its instruction - highly regarded throughout the helicopter industry. We feel sure that you will achieve your required goal with us.

The flight training

The flight training course required by the CAA/JAR must include a minimum of 45 hours of flight training, all of which is supervised by a helicopter instructor. Of those hours at least:

• 25 hours must be dual instruction
• 10 hours of solo flight (pilot in command)

The flight training courses comprises of 27 exercises, which are listed.

The course is set into two main parts:-

• Basic Helicopter Flying leading to your first solo This part of the course entails learning to fly the helicopter in forward flight, turning, climbing, descending, hovering, landing and taking off. You will also learn the procedure of ‘gliding’ the helicopter, known as autorotation. Experience will be gained in making radio calls and flying the helicopter in and around the airfield (circuits).

• Advanced helicopter Exercises Having acquired basic helicopter skills we will instruct you in the more advanced helicopter exercises to enable you to land safely in areas that are confined.
Navigation techniques will be developed to the stage where you will plan cross- country trips and fly them. This stage will also cover the solo cross country requirements of the flying training.

It is your responsibility to maintain an accurate record of your flight times and exercises flown. However your instructor will also be keeping records of your progress, to ensure continuity of training exercises. Flight times recorded are based on the datcom hour meter in the aircraft and are also used for the purpose of flight training charges.

The flying schedule

Flying lessons are scheduled in morning or afternoon blocks. Approximately one to two hours is devoted to flying, the remainder is taken up with pre and post flight briefings and flight start up and shut down procedures. The Helicentre is open seven days a week throughout the year, so if the working week is not suitable for you, the weekends could be. During the summer months we are open until late.

All flying is subject to current conditions. If it is unsuitable, we will contact you immediately to re-schedule your programme.

Even in the best regulated circumstances, business commitments and illness can impose on your flight training. Please endeavour to let us know well in advance so that we can rearrange our own flight schedule.

Remember, we tailor the course according to your needs, your scheduling is important to us.

Flying test

At the end of the flying training course, you will take a flying test taken by an in-house CAA and Joint Aviation Regulation flight examiner. Your flying at this stage will be at a standard to enable you to demonstrate to the examiner that you can fly safely and competently.

Ground school

The ground school subjects consist of:

• Aviation Law flying’s equivalent of the Highway code

• Meteorology an integral part of flight preparation

• Navigation in preparation for your cross country flying

• Human Performance introducing you to the physiological aspects of flying, the dangers of alcohol and medication, flying with colds etc

• Helicopter Technical a better understanding of the aircraft.

• Flight Planning & Performance Additionally, you will learn about Radio Telephony (R/T) procedures. In all these subjects a multiple choice examination will have to be passed, but together with your Instructor all aspects of the syllabus will be managed and you will be coached to examination standard. At first glance, the list of subjects may seem daunting but it progressively forms a logical and commonsense part of the training course.

Study equipment and Pilot equipment

You will need to acquire some reading and self study material, all of which is available through the Helicentre. You will require reference books, maps and navigational planning equipment at different stages of your training. Your Instructor will discuss your needs with you. All of the equipment you will need is available from our well stocked shop.

Medical requirements

A medical certificate is required for your first solo flight. The certificate must be a JAR class II or higher. A certificate can be obtained from specially appointed Aviation Medical Examiners locally. Addresses and telephone numbers are available from the Helicentre.

Syllabus of flight instruction for the private pilot licence