Ther Private Pilots Licence (Helicopters)enables you to fly a helicopter for pleasure, taking family or friends with you.The course consists of a minimum of 45 hours flight time, split into various exercises, followed by a final Skills Test. In addition there are seven ground or written exams to complete.
The exams cover the following subjects:
Human Factors and Performance
Air Law
Meteorology
Radio Telephony
Helicopter Technical
Navigation
Flight Planning and Performance
The air exercises are as follows:
1. Familiarisation with the helicopter and emergency procedures
2. Preparation for and action after flight
3. Air experience
4. Effects of controls
5. Power and attitude changes
6. Straight and level, climbing, descending, turning
7. Basic auto-rotations
8. Hovering
9. Take-off and landing
10. Transitions from hover to climb and approach to hover
11. Circuits
12. First solo
13. Sideways and backwards hovering
14. Spot turns
15. Vortex ring
16. Simulated engine-off landings
17. Advanced auto-rotations
18. Practice forced landings
19. Steep turns
20. Advanced transitions
21. Quick stops
22. Navigation
23. Advanced take-offs, landings, and transitions
24. Sloping ground
25. Limited power
26. Confined areas
27. Basic instrument training
Once you have the PPL(H), you must fly a minimum of two hours per year on each type of helicopter you are rated on, including a short flight test. You can hire a helicopter and fly locally, visit other airfields, or maybe land away at a hotel...the possibilities are limitless.
