Thanks for the replies Whirlybird and Gyrotyro;

I've had a lot of excellent advice and have now spoken to all three schools/types, and I have got it down to the Robinson and the Schweizer at Liverpool or Blackpool.

So I'm going to try both types at one school and talk again to the other.

I'm determined to make it happen, and I thank everybody again for their great advice.

I bet everyone in the heli-business is on here, it's great that there is so much straight talk!

Cheers again,

Copterfan.

Hi Copterfan, I would personally not do my training at liverpool or even Blackpool, you spend 20 mins of every hour waiting for ryanair or easyjet.

Don't rule out the Enstrom either, its a good solid machine to fly, not as nippy as the 22 or 44 or as modern but has the benefit of loads of power like the 300 and has fuel injection so no carb heat to think about.

I decided to learn on an Enstrom because I am slightly larger than perhaps I should be, but have since put the 22 & 44 on my licence, the best of all is the 44 and if youve got enough money to think about buying the ec120 then learn on the 44 raven2 its a fantastic machine, in fact you probably wouldnt want a turbine after it.

Hi Rotorboater,

I was surprised that apart from you only one other person has spoken up for the Enstrom; I assume you trained at Barton then, did you enjoy it?

Strange that my last post on this thread was only three days ago, I've learnt so much since then, and found a great instructor (from this site) who has given me fantastic advice. And others who have pm'd me with more great advice, all very helpful and very friendly.

I'm glad that I joined both here and another site (its all torque!), because I now realise that I would have leapt the wrong way had I not! Years of anticipation does not practical experience make! I mean seriously, you have no idea how close I was to buying a helo before taking my licence.:O :O :O

I have decided to go R-44, but keep it there for a while after my PPL(h). As much as I want to fly turbines I feel that it might be more pilot-profitable to fly more hours at first in the R-44, thus gaining more experience in a readily-available chopper (am I the only one that thinks they look good?).

BTW; interestingly enough, you are the sixth separate PPL (including four instructors) to say that they prefer the R-44 to other helicopters.

Cheers,

Copterfan. :ok: