Helicopter Pilot Careers

Whether you learn in the UK or overseas, getting your helicopter licence ('helicopter license' in the USA) is the foundation to your career with these fascinating and versatile aircraft. And the key to getting helicopter licences as quickly and cost effectively as possible is to choose the best possible helicopter school.

In the UK, this should be an European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved flight-training organisation (FTO). Any helicopter pilot school with this coveted approval will make it very obvious that they have it - don't settle for anything less. As well as EASA approval, good helicopter schools will also have the following characteristics:

• Demonstrable helicopter licence training experience
  
• A fleet of different training helicopters
  
• Convenient location and access to varied flying environments
  
• Friendly, helpful flying and ground personnel
  
• Not just private helicopter licence training - advanced qualifications too
  
• Support with ground training
  
• Flexible training options
  
• The Highest of Customer Service

When you've found a school that looks promising, visit it, talk to the staff and instructors, and see what other students say about the training. If you get positive answers, you've found a good one; it's time to sign-up and start working towards your private pilot helicopter licence.

In the UK, the entry-level private helicopter pilot licence is the PPL(H) licence. Equivalent private pilot's licence qualifications are available through national aviation authorities in other countries. The PPL(H) qualification is the basic helicopter flying qualification that allows you to fly for business (but not as a paid helicopter pilot) or pleasure. Holders of this helicopter pilots licence can buy and fly their own helicopter or hire helicopters for self-fly use - often from the same operator that ran their helicopter pilot course. A private pilots licence from the UK allows the holder to fly in the UK and the rest of Europe.

The route to a private pilots licence often begins with a trial lesson, before embarking on a part-time or modular helicopter course with an approved flight-training organisation (FTO). This gives you an opportunity to fly a helicopter and see whether you enjoy it before investing (it could be up to £15,000) in your helicopter course. Many prospective students will shortlist and visit a couple of FTOs offering helicopter courses before deciding on the one they feel most comfortable with. You are embarking on a close training relationship; the chemistry between trainer and student (you) must be perfect.

Once you have decided to pursue your helicopter training, you'll study and practice 27 JAR FCL-2 flying exercises that form the core of the training and will need to do the following:

• Fly at least 45 hours (including 10 hrs solo)
  
• Cross country flying (including landing at two airfields)
  
• Pass a CAA flight test
  
• Achieve a 75% pass rate in seven multiple choice theory exams
  
• Pass a basic CAA medical
  

NOTE: If you already have a private pilot licence for fixed wing aircraft, you may be granted up to six hours towards the 45 flying-hour requirement.

Achieving a private helicopter licence is a fantastic achievement in itself. Even more exciting is the world of helicopter flying that this qualification makes available to you - not least, a commercial pilot licence and the possibility of building a career as a professional helicopter flyer.

In the UK, the first stage of commercial helicopter training is the recognised CPL(H) licence. This is the licence (or 'ticket' as it is often referred to among professional flyers) that allows you to earn a living from flying helicopters professionally. As such, it's the first step on the career route that could one day see you flying heli-skiers in British Columbia or supporting geophysical research in the Middle East. With your CPL(H), you have moved from being a hobby flyer to a professional.

As with private licences, commercial helicopter pilot training can be undertaken by part-time or intensive training at an approved helicopter school. In the UK, a popular route to commercial qualification is the 30-hour modular course.

To be able to take your commercial pilot licence, you'll need the following:

• To hold a valid PPL(H) licence
  
• Have at least 155 hours' flying experience (inc. 50 as pilot-in-command).
  
• To have passed nine theoretical knowledge exams
  
• Hold a valid medical JAR Class 1 medical certificate
  

Training for the commercial pilots licence involves General Handling, Navigation and Instrument Flying training that revises and builds on the 27 JAR FCL-2 flying exercises studied for the private licence.

On completion of your commercial helicopter training you will take a series of skill tests in the same type of helicopter that you have trained on (in the UK, this is most likely to have been the Robinson R22 or R44). These skill tests show that you can do the following:

• Operate the helicopter safely within it's limitations
  
• Complete all manoeuvres smoothly and accurately
  
• Apply aeronautical knowledge
  
• Maintain control of the aircraft at all times
  
• Exercise good judgement and airmanship
  

Having successfully got your commercial pilot licence, the way is open for further advanced training and to begin the search for your first position as a paid helicopter pilot. For many pilots, this involves instructing (a great way to hone your skills and build vital flying hours to complement your commercial pilots licence). To be able to do this you will need the FI(H) qualification, for which you must have at least 250 hours and have passed a pre-entry flight test.

Nothing is more important than attitude, skill and excellent training for flying helicopters. However, it's useful to get as much information as possible on how to become a helicopter pilot. For anyone considering helicopter training in the UK, or elsewhere, a wealth of inspirational and informative resources is available. These range from books and helicopter websites through to helicopter training videos.

On the internet, useful sites range from those of manufacturers such as Bell Helicopter Textron or Robinson Helicopters, through to helicopter school websites such as Rise Helicopters in Gloucestershire, UK.

To start your Helicopter Flight Training with Rise Helicopters, please visit our website here.

Interesting helicopter books include The Helicopter Pilot's Manual (Parts 1 and 2) by Norman Bailey, Now Solo, the story of Jenny Murray, a British grandmother who learned to fly helicopters before flying a Robinson R44 around the World, and Dick Smith's The Earth Beneath Me. These three titles alone are guaranteed to inform and inspire anyone interested in a helicopter flying career.

A good DVD to get you started can be found at www.Helidvd.com