Heli CPL - what am I allowed to do?
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Join Date: Apr 2014
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Heli CPL - what am I allowed to do?
If I have obtained a heli-CPL what am I allowed to actually do? Specifically, can I buy myself a helicopter, form a company and then work freelance, for example for the oil industry? If so, am I allowed commercially to transport both freight and people?
I looked through government documents and here on the forum but would prefer confirmation from those who really do it, rather than just rely on my own interpretation.
At this point I am not interested in the question of viability. It is about the principle and the regulatory basis.
Many thanks for any advice given.
I looked through government documents and here on the forum but would prefer confirmation from those who really do it, rather than just rely on my own interpretation.
At this point I am not interested in the question of viability. It is about the principle and the regulatory basis.
Many thanks for any advice given.
Join Date: Dec 2006
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FCL.305 CPL — Privileges and conditions
(a) Privileges. The privileges of the holder of a CPL are, within the appropriate aircraft category, to:
(1) exercise all the privileges of the holder of an LAPL and a PPL;
(2) act as PIC or co-pilot of any aircraft engaged in operations other than commercial air transport;
(3) act as PIC in commercial air transport of any single-pilot aircraft subject to the restrictions specified in FCL.060 and in this Subpart;
(4) act as co-pilot in commercial air transport subject to the restrictions specified in FCL.060.
(b) Conditions. An applicant for the issue of a CPL shall have fulfilled the requirements for the class or type rating of the aircraft used in the skill test.
(a) Privileges. The privileges of the holder of a CPL are, within the appropriate aircraft category, to:
(1) exercise all the privileges of the holder of an LAPL and a PPL;
(2) act as PIC or co-pilot of any aircraft engaged in operations other than commercial air transport;
(3) act as PIC in commercial air transport of any single-pilot aircraft subject to the restrictions specified in FCL.060 and in this Subpart;
(4) act as co-pilot in commercial air transport subject to the restrictions specified in FCL.060.
(b) Conditions. An applicant for the issue of a CPL shall have fulfilled the requirements for the class or type rating of the aircraft used in the skill test.
At this point I am not interested in the question of viability. It is about the principle and the regulatory basis.
On the viability side, the oil companies and almost any government department you name, will have insurance cover which specifies the experience of the pilot. Zero experience = zero chance. Rotsa ruck.
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Dont forget the regulatory basis is not just going to be in terms of your licensing. You will need an Air Operators Certificate ( which may be a bigger hurdle)!
Without knowing the rules in that part of the world, common sense tells me it's a no-goer as proposed. If you have a company performing helicopter charter services you need a chief pilot and an operational specification. So you'd need to appoint a pilot who meets the chief pilot requirements and submit them for approval. And chief pilots can't be freelance, they need to exert daily operational control. I would be staggered if a newly minted CPL-H could go and buy a helicopter and provide charter services in it as suggested. A newly minted commercial pilot needs close supervision by an experienced pilot during their induction to commercial operations. You just can't blast off into the ether on day 1 by yourself without any operational oversight. I wouldn't even send a newly minted commercial pilot out to do joyflights on day 1 without close supervision, let alone anything more complex.
Last edited by gulliBell; 22nd Apr 2017 at 04:05.
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You are likely to need some experience to be hired, which is a bit Catch-22. If you want to do work with your own helicopter you will need an AOC and it is unlikely that a new CPL will be accepted by the CAA as Chief Pilot on an AOC. Pm me for more info.
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Not forgetting the maintenance aspect of helicopters. You will need, as a requirement of your AOC, a contracted Part 145 Approved Maintenance Organisation. Also you will need a contracted Part-M approved organisation for provision and supervision of your Approved Maintenance Programme.
As you can see, it starts getting expensive.
As you can see, it starts getting expensive.
