Helicopter Instructer
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Join Date: Jun 2001
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Helicopter Instructer
I would like to get a helicopter instructors rating. I have no helicopter experience at the moment but I do have an ATPL A with loads of hours. What is the best/quickest/cheapest way of achieving this goal.
You thoughts are appreciated.
Appologies if this is covered somewhere else.
You thoughts are appreciated.
Appologies if this is covered somewhere else.
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Hopefully the UK rules will be a bit kinder to you than the Aussie rules would be.
Here you'd need a CPL(H) to start. You can get a credit on the flight time for your licence (minimum 60 hours training instead of 105), and would only need to sit the four helicopter-specific CPL theory exams. But then you'd need to have at least 360 hours helicopter, before doing the 40 hour instructor course. R22 with instructor is around $A400-$A450/hour (£190-£215/hr) at the moment, so you can do the numbers. No quick, easy or cheap way unfortunately.
I'd be interested to see what the UK answer is ...
Here you'd need a CPL(H) to start. You can get a credit on the flight time for your licence (minimum 60 hours training instead of 105), and would only need to sit the four helicopter-specific CPL theory exams. But then you'd need to have at least 360 hours helicopter, before doing the 40 hour instructor course. R22 with instructor is around $A400-$A450/hour (£190-£215/hr) at the moment, so you can do the numbers. No quick, easy or cheap way unfortunately.
I'd be interested to see what the UK answer is ...
Here's the situation in the UK (off the top of my head):
Firstly, you say that you want to get a helicopter instructor's rating, but do you also want to be paid for that instruction?
If not, then you can go down the PPL/Instructor route. This will take a minimum of 39hrs to get your PPL(H) (you get 6hrs credit for your FW time) and a couple of PPL(H) exams. You will then need to build to 300hrs RW time before you can take the FI(H) course. This is a 30hr course. In terms of cost, it will roughly cost you £10k + £40k + £10k = £60k!
If you do want to be paid as an instructor, you will have to take the CPL(H) module. This will involve 39hrs for the PPL(H), then hour-building to 150hrs for the CPL(H) course. (You will also need to take a couple of RW CPL/ATPL exams to add to your FW theory credits). But if you have a CPL(H), you only need 250hrs RW time before you can start the FI(H) course. The cost will be approx £10k + £15k + £10k + £11k + £10k = £56k!
(These prices are very, very rough estimates and you would be able to make savings if your did some of the flying outside of the UK.)
You will, of course, be able to find all the specific answers in LASORS.
HTH
Firstly, you say that you want to get a helicopter instructor's rating, but do you also want to be paid for that instruction?
If not, then you can go down the PPL/Instructor route. This will take a minimum of 39hrs to get your PPL(H) (you get 6hrs credit for your FW time) and a couple of PPL(H) exams. You will then need to build to 300hrs RW time before you can take the FI(H) course. This is a 30hr course. In terms of cost, it will roughly cost you £10k + £40k + £10k = £60k!
If you do want to be paid as an instructor, you will have to take the CPL(H) module. This will involve 39hrs for the PPL(H), then hour-building to 150hrs for the CPL(H) course. (You will also need to take a couple of RW CPL/ATPL exams to add to your FW theory credits). But if you have a CPL(H), you only need 250hrs RW time before you can start the FI(H) course. The cost will be approx £10k + £15k + £10k + £11k + £10k = £56k!
(These prices are very, very rough estimates and you would be able to make savings if your did some of the flying outside of the UK.)
You will, of course, be able to find all the specific answers in LASORS.
HTH
Join Date: Jan 2004
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IN addition to the above, you would actually get a credit for 50 hours to start the CPL(H) at 105 hours because you have an ATPL (A), but unfortunately you still need to build the hours to 250 to do the FI course and it is unlikely that you would get any paid work as a CPL(H) with only 135 hours total. I was in this situation myself, when I did my helicopter qualifications. As a fixed wing instructor i also got a dispensation on the ground school element of the FI(H) course - reduced from 125 hours to 50, for what it is worth. The whole lot probably cost the best part of £80,000 over a two and a half year period during which I worked full-time as an FIC instructor.
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Why would you want to swap being an ATPL(A) for a low paid, thankless and sweaty job as a helicopter instructor in flying schools who treat you abysmally. It is a long and expensive road, filled with heartache. Save yourself now and stick with fixed wing.
ps. I am a helicopter instructor before the flak starts coming in.
ps. I am a helicopter instructor before the flak starts coming in.
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It's a long & outrageously expensive road; There's plenty of heartache, the pay isn't great, and sometimes it's a bit sweaty.
The one thing it absolutely isn't, is thankless
Been there, done it, would do it all again in a heartbeat 
Unhinged ATPL(A) FI(H)
The one thing it absolutely isn't, is thankless
Been there, done it, would do it all again in a heartbeat Unhinged ATPL(A) FI(H)
Last edited by Unhinged; 7th Jan 2009 at 21:17.
