Post PPL(H) hour building - helicopter safaris, etc
Hi,
I'm in the process of finishing the PPL(H) here in always sunny and bright Blighty and I'm looking for interesting ways to build up the hours towards CPL - but not thru the grind of flying around London area.
After the PPL(H) I do have a couple of things planned :
- London Heli lanes with the instructor - before the pain, the misery and CAA restrictions for the London Olympics kick in
- Mountain flying course + some self hire @ Majorca with Sloan Helicopters (any one has any feedback on this?)
Also to get out of London and avoid the questionable joys and celebrations of Olympics I would like to go somewhere for extended heli-friendly holidays where I could build up some hours in an interesting and challenging way.
Some guys at the school I am mentioned helicopter safaris in Kenya and that looks like something I would definitely be interested in.
I'm looking for something along the lines of safaris in South Africa, cross-country flying in the land of Oz or NZ, etc.
Did anyone do stuff like that and care to share the experience - what are the good companies that maintain their fleet to high standards? Any horror stories and providers that I should avoid?
Obviously I'm looking to build up hours as PIC as well as Dual and preferably around 20-30h during one such trip.
Also how does that work with the JAR-PPL(H) license depending on the location?
After doing some read-up in most places I would have to get a Certificate of Validity? How hard is it to obtain that for Australia or New Zealand?
Regards
- M