Anyone trained with Helicentre Leicester?

[blessing786]

Hello All,

I am sort of new to the forum, I have been observing member for some years but recently decided to post topics, so apologize in advance if this is the wrong area.

I am currently looking for a school to do my PPL H, I wanted to do it in CABRI G2, purely because of the modern cockpit and single cyclic. One of the schools which I have found is Helicentre Aviation based on Leicester, they do their training on the Cabri G2 and have 6 of them, has anyone trained with them? Are they a good school? What the instructors like? Any assistance with PPL exams etc?

Currently looking at the modular course which is in the region of £20k, but exams are self-study and have to be sat in 6 sittings. Are the exams easy to do as self-study? They offer one to one tuition on subjects if needs be but their exams are not held on-site but done at a CAA center elsewhere. I find this a bit different because I previously started training but quit midway 10 years ago and I did exams on site, I gave up at the time due to marrige and kids etc, I feel I would be fine with most exams apart from Navigation as it involved working with the flight computer etc.

Any one that can share advise on this shcool or any other Cabri G2 school? Just worried I may need re the exams etc.

Funding currently is not an issue and have enough up until CPL H.

Thansk in advance

[ersa]

The G2 is a good machine, however you're first job if you want to go to CPL H, is more likely to be an R44...

I would train on the R22 , far easier transition to the R44.

I would highly recommend https://www.arcus-heli.com they have a G2 , R22 and R44. (based at Nottingham) about 1 hour drive from peterborough

The Exams are all achievable , but you do need guidance through them, and you be under an ATO for the exams with consolidation classes before sitting the exams ?

[jeepys]

The other question that you might want to explore is ‘what happens after CPL(H)’ if that is your goal or are you stopping at PPL?

[HeliHenri]

.
Hello ersa,
The G2/R44 combination works quite well and a lot of flight schools rely on it.
Hello blessing 786, you'll see that some members here have a clear-cut opinion about the school, I don't know this organisation.
.

[blessing786]

The G2 is a good machine, however you're first job if you want to go to CPL H, is more likely to be an R44...

I would train on the R22 , far easier transition to the R44.

I would highly recommend they have a G2 , R22 and R44. (based at Nottingham) about 1 hour drive from peterborough

The Exams are all achievable , but you do need guidance through them, and you be under an ATO for the exams with consolidation classes before sitting the exams ?

Thanks Ersa

I have sent Arcus Heli's an email, did you train with them?

I am thinking, in the long run, I could get type conversion if I needed to move to the R44. I have done 1 hour in the R22 and the Cabri feels and handles way nicer. It also has a digital cockpit.

I have had a 1hrs lessons R22 and 30 minutes in the Cabri and the Cabri just feels smoother and has a digital cockpit. I am thinking to get type conversion when and if needed in the future.

Main concern is the exams but hoping with self-study and bit of tuition may help along. Maths is not my strong point but how much of it is needed without calculators etc?

[blessing786]

Hi Jeepys,

Long term plan is CPL and after will depend on my funds. May get a Instructor rating or try my luck in the middle east.

[blessing786]

Hi Heli Henri,

Thanks for your response, do you know what the clear cut opinions are? are they good or bad? or mixture?

[Council Van]

I believe they are currently training fully sponsored cadets for Bristow helicopters so that would suggest they have quite high standards and perhaps training with them could provide an opportunity to work for Bristow in the future.

https://www.pilotcareernews.com/bristow-helicopters-opens-fully-sponsored-cplh-ir-cadet-programme/

[blessing786]

Hi Heli 87,

I am located in Cambridgeshire but willing to travel up to about 60 miles for training. Used have Aeroamega out of Cambridge airport but they have since closed down due to being turfed out by the landlord at the airport as the hanger was needed for development. Shame really, the instructor they're seemed very well qualified.

[Cylinder Head]

Hi Blessing 786
PM me for detailed information regarding training options.
CH

[blessing786]

Yes, they seem to have full courses running but all the students are non-modular and most have had their training paid for, They, therefore, don't have financial difficulties should something go wrong. I mean I have to consider failing the exams or the flight tests itself. I know they may have high standards but then their is more chance of them continuing with dual instruction meaning eating into hour building fund. Maybe I have wrong impression but that what I think, unless someone else has been an trained with them and has different advise?

[olster]

Only 4 are fully sponsored.

[ersa]

I believe they are currently training fully sponsored cadets for Bristow helicopters so that would suggest they have quite high standards and perhaps training with them could provide an opportunity to work for Bristow in the future.

https://www.pilotcareernews.com/bristow-helicopters-opens-fully-sponsored-cplh-ir-cadet-programme/


Ah the Golden Carrot , train with us and you may get a position at bristow

[heli87]

Hi Heli 87,

I am located in Cambridgeshire but willing to travel up to about 60 miles for training. Used have Aeroamega out of Cambridge airport but they have since closed down due to being turfed out by the landlord at the airport as the hanger was needed for development. Shame really, the instructor they're seemed very well qualified.
have you looked at Sloane Helicopters? Only around 40 miles from you, Also Arcus are worth a visit - great bunch of guys.

the guys at Helicentre haven’t all had their training paid for, like Olster said, Only 4 of them won the sponsorship.

[blessing786]

Only 4 are fully sponsored.

Oh, I didn't realise that, I had feeling it was all integrated courses.

[blessing786]

Ersa,

I was told they are picked on merit and not out of a hat. If you complete a PPL H with them before Sep 2020 you could get a paid CPL scholarship, but that is a big gamble as it may never happen, and you may not be the the right candidate for them etc.

[blessing786]

have you looked at Sloane Helicopters? Only around 40 miles from you, Also Arcus are worth a visit - great bunch of guys.

the guys at Helicentre haven’t all had their training paid for, like Olster said, Only 4 of them won the sponsorship.



I am visiting Arcus Helicopters.

and I have made contact with Sloane, Sloane only train on the R22, this cheaper for the PPL and hour building but the Cabri feels and looks better, slightly confused which to go with really.

[blessing786]

It will save a lot and when you say hour building are you looking to go CPL? FI? What’s your plan?

You can always do a G2 type rating after your PPL.

You also have school around the north London area and east London / surrey



My plan is to get a PPL and then hour build, when I have enough hours, looking to a CPL followed by FI rating. Best thing would be getting a job after CPL but being realstic thats not going to happen due to low hours so FI would be the way forward. Currently, have enough funds up to CPL.

Do you know if conversion courses are difficult? Is it case of you can fly one helicopter and you can fly them all? (subject to getting the type rating ofcourse)

I have seen schools around london but currently trying to keep it as close as to me as possible as I am looking to two days a week. The further the school the travelling will eat into my hour building fund.

[rudestuff]

My plan is to get a PPL and then hour build, when I have enough hours, looking to a CPL followed by FI rating. Best thing would be getting a job after CPL but being realstic thats not going to happen due to low hours so FI would be the way forward. Currently, have enough funds up to CPL.

Do you know if conversion courses are difficult? Is it case of you can fly one helicopter and you can fly them all? (subject to getting the type rating ofcourse)

I have seen schools around london but currently trying to keep it as close as to me as possible as I am looking to two days a week. The further the school the travelling will eat into my hour building fund.

Just to throw a spanner in the works: Get a PPL(A). Even if you don't want one. You can count 20 PIC hours in an airplane towards your helicopter CPL if you hold a PPL(A). Given that FW training is about half the cost, you could get a very cheap PPL(A) out of it. If you did the PPL(A) first, you would have the additional advantage of learning radio, navigation, instrument flight etc on a much more stable platform, which should make your PPL(H) easier.
But by FAR the biggest advantage is that you can add a fixed wing IR for about £8k - and as we all know because we've all read cap804, a FW to Heli IR conversion is only 10 hours. (In other words an IR(H) with a free PPL(A)/IR is cheaper than an IR(H) on its own.

[helicopter-redeye]

The chaps at Arcus are quite good, and one of them does quite a trade in London Helilanes training for those who have finished the PPL (some of which is in a glass cockpit R44 if you were looking for the type rating afterwards).

As with all such choices, visit the schools and get a view on who you would train with because a 22/or g2 cockpit is a small place ....

[DHesquire]

Just to throw a spanner in the works: Get a PPL(A). Even if you don't want one. You can count 20 PIC hours in an airplane towards your helicopter CPL if you hold a PPL(A). Given that FW training is about half the cost, you could get a very cheap PPL(A) out of it. If you did the PPL(A) first, you would have the additional advantage of learning radio, navigation, instrument flight etc on a much more stable platform, which should make your PPL(H) easier.
But by FAR the biggest advantage is that you can add a fixed wing IR for about £8k - and as we all know because we've all read cap804, a FW to Heli IR conversion is only 10 hours. (In other words an IR(H) with a free PPL(A)/IR is cheaper than an IR(H) on its own.

^ This! I openly regret not doing this first - now going to make it my first task when (if...) I get a decent helo job to keep fixed-wing time ticking over in the background. As many others will allude to on here, probably worth keeping at least a CPL(A)/IR in the back pocket for when the tides turn again...an 'insurance policy'...

[Hughes500]

Think you need to look at the thread why are the number of helicopter pilots falling in the UK ! Sums up nicely, crap pay, conditions no fun etc etc

[Council Van]

Ah the Golden Carrot , train with us and you may get a position at bristow
I was only speculating, never been in a helicopter, don't know much about that side of the industry other than guessing that Bristow are probably one of the biggest employers of rotary pilots in the UK. I prefer my aircraft to have wings that stay still with two big turbo fans underneath them.

[SpindleBob]

Bristow have hired a few pilots from Helicentre in Leicester. They also narrowed down to half the candidates for the IR Sponsorship also came from Helicentre, so the big operators obviously like their training. They seem to be the only training centre that has an Integrated CPL(H) course so the CAA must think they're good too.

Helicentre seem to have good aircraft that are clean and seem well maintained. You can get good experience after training as an instructor or going out on Pipeline surveys.

No turbine helicopters though

[finalchecksplease]

Bristow have hired a few pilots from Helicentre in Leicester. They also narrowed down to half the candidates for the IR came from Helicentre, so the big operators obviously like their training.

Maybe this is the case because the initial "narrowing down" was done by Helicentre without Bristow being involved at that stage?
Bristow only got involved at the final selection stage.

I have heard good and bad things about Helicentre so as always buyer beware, do your homework and don't believe all the promises training schools make.
Also I personally would advise my kids, if they show an interest in aviation, to go fixed wing rather than helicopters because of future prospects.

[DHesquire]

.
No turbine helicopters though
They're mid way through a facilities upgrade and expansion atm - they used to have turbines and I reckon Bristow will be injecting cash to not only sort facilities but get some turbines too. The instructors are top notch, you can't take that away from them. Definitely worth a look in and see for yourself.

...2p worth...

[206 jock]

- they used to have turbines and I reckon Bristow will be injecting cash to not only sort facilities but get some turbines too...

They used to operate my turbine. They won't be having it back. That is all I will say.

[jeepys]

I wouldn’t have thought Bristows will be injecting any cash unless it’s their name over the door and the same goes for adding turbines. They just don’t need to do it.

I didn’t realise they had top notch instructors but very young ones which of course doesn’t mean they’re not good. Others on here who have been trained by them can probably comment.

[Hughes500]

Like to know what a top notch instructor actually is and how one defines that. I m sure the said place offered a way into the industry ( do a full course with us and we will offer you an AFI job ) so not sure where the depth of experience would come from for anyone to be top notch ???

[blessing786]

Thank you all for your responses, if anyone has personally trained with Heli Centre then please drop me a PM to advise of any feedback.

[chopper2004]

Judging from your location I would say for your location come to EGSC and do the course with Aeromega but sadly they are forced to leave because Marshalls has terminated the lease.

Aeromega Helicopters | Helicopter Flying Lessons & Self Fly Hire (http://www.aeromega.com/)

Cheers

[blessing786]

Judging from your location I would say for your location come to EGSC and do the course with Aeromega but sadly they are forced to leave because Marshalls has terminated the lease.

Aeromega Helicopters | Helicopter Flying Lessons & Self Fly Hire (http://www.aeromega.com/)

Cheers
Yes they were my go to school when I was raising the funds, now I have the fund they sadly had to move.

I have now enrolled with a school and will see how it goes. Its not helicentre but another recommended school.

[Whiskybravo44]

FW IR for 8k? Where?