Great Heli-Website Suggestions

[mriya225]

Tired of fixed wing aviation at the moment...

Anybody here have any suggestions for terrific Heli sites on the net?

[NRDK]

You might want to start with these, no doubt they have some associated links. www.rotor.com (http://www.rotor.com) www.helispot.com (http://www.helispot.com) www.helicopterpilots.co.uk (http://www.helicopterpilots.co.uk) http://justhelicopters.com www.aviatorselect.com (http://www.aviatorselect.com) www.gkn-whl.co.uk (http://www.gkn-whl.co.uk) www.sikorsky.com (http://www.sikorsky.com)
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Flown Navy
Dug Army
Eaten Crabette


[This message has been edited by NRDK (edited 23 September 2000).]

[mriya225]

NRDK,
Beaucoup de mercis mon ami!

[helidrvr]

Please note that the forum and job listings on www.justhelicopters.com (http://www.justhelicopters.com) are temporarily shut down because Bill Kellogg (the owner/webmaster) is recovering from major surgery. He is expected to be back next week.

[bladeslap]

If you're looking for sensible helicopter pilot orientated (e.g regulatory, training, career, "how to" etc.) advice try http://www.plh.co.uk.

The International Helicopter Museum has some excellent historical data/photos on many helis at http://www.helicoptermuseum.freeserve.co.uk.

British Helicopter Advisory Board (BHAB) also have an excellent site on http://www.bhab.demon.co.uk.

On the military perspective the following offer some limited info though use of on site search facilities will be essential to identify job specifications http://www.army.mod.uk/army/organise/armyair/main.htm (Army Air Corps), http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/pages/145.html (Fleet Air Arm) and http://www.raf.mod.uk (RAF).

In brief ALL military (helicopter) pilots who make the grade will embark upon basic rotary wing at the tri-service Defence Helicopter Flying School at Shawbury (Salop) prior to being streamed to 'service specific' speciallities be they RAF (mainly transport but also SAR), RN (Anti Submarine, SAR, Transport) or Army (Observation, Gunship (new Westland AH64), Troop Deployment, Anti Tank).

NB. At this time ONLY the Army Air Corps will accept as Flight Crew the rank of NCO the other services seek 'commisioned officers' for flight crew positions.

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Proper Prior Planning Prevents P*** Poor Performance........Do it right, seek advice!

[WhoNeedsRunways]

And the Helicopter Museum, if you can get there ( drive, or fly-in PPR ) has cockpit open days, where children of all ages can climb in and get close up to the machines, anything from Scouts to OH-6 to Russian Hinds.

I'm going to take my son down to have a look - he's only 8 months old though so I suppose I'll have to look and tell him when he's old enough.

[mriya225]

Who Needs Runways
You sure this outting is really for the boy? ;)
I'm kidding, of course, it's a wonderful idea - take loads of pix! "The World's Youngest Rotorhead"! He'll love it :)

All,
You guys have given me so many great places to visit, on and offline, "Thanks Much"!

I'm curious...is it imperative to have your fixed wing licenses before seeking your rating to fly helicopters? Or could you get your ground schooling and instrument rating and then just go straight to flying Heli's? If it's possible, is it a good idea - or is it frowned on?


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Patience is letting your motor idle when you feel like stripping your gears.

[WhoNeedsRunways]

Mriya :

Of course, I'm only using boy as an excuse. But my wife can see straight through that one . . .

As to which order to learn to fly in, I did fixed wing first. I was planning to go to Bristows to get sponsorship to fly helicopters for a living. Got an interview ( 600 applicants, 40 interview places ) but fluffed it and didn't get the job - just as well, I understand they put the guys who passed through their CPL(H) for free, and the recession hit during the training, so they said "thanks for your time, goodbye."

I learnt to fly helicopters when I spent a year working on Oz, and am back in the UK working on the CAA exams for the CPL(H) - if someone else can pay for my flying, I'm all for that.