Looking at the people I know who went to helicopters, it seems to me that while flying generally is not anywhere as cheap a hobby as many UK participants would like it to be, helis are even less cheap if you want something that feels reasonably solid.
Those (that I know) who went straight to helis were very well funded individuals, completely unlike the vast majority of the UK PPL customer profile, and while the scene does attract more posers than fixed wing (helis are a far more effective way to pull birds than fixed wing, so who can blame them) there are many punters who get into it because of the ease of parking and general versatility for ad hoc travel within the UK.
Very few people seem to get into f/w with any apparent utility objective, and indeed it is difficult to do so without becoming an owner or part-owner. The stuff which one can rent is mostly junk. Adequately capable helis can, on the other hand, be rented (at a price starting at say £400/hour).
I have zero personal operational experience of helis but having spoken to a number of the pilots (rare IR(H) types excepted) it appears that they do rely on the ability to easily land to avoid weather. In this respect, it seems to me that having had prior fixed wing IFR flight planning and navigation experience might be an advantage. Of the pilots who I know personally who have done both, this is their view too.
I have often toyed with the idea of doing a PPL(H) but it seems very hard work especially being nearly 50! Also I would really hate to have to go through the "Robinson" stage, flying what feels like a lawn mower except that it vibrates a lot more than my lawn mower. It would be like doing the PPL(A) all over again, in decrepit old Cessnas/Pipers. That's where my "Gazelle" comment came from. I strongly believe one should train, even ab-initio, in the same machine which one wishes to fly afterwards. Of course this makes instructors cringe.
Also I am not sure what is involved in going the N-reg route in the UK. I know it is practically impossible to do a standalone FAA PPL(A) in the UK, due to lack of FAA examiners coming over, DfT restrictions, etc. Where do PPL(H) pilots flying N-reg helis do their training? Do they all go to the USA? Or are they flying on a piggyback FAA PPL(H)?
Last edited by IO540; 30th May 2006 at 10:45.