Helicopter Pilot
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Helicopter Pilot
Hi Guys,
I'm back at these forums... after I learned so much valuable information the first time round, I thought I would pop back and say Hi!
Right, so where do I begin - I had my first interview and got selected to progress to OASC. I then got offered an opportunity to work in Abu Dhabi... I informed the OASC, respectfully withdrew my application and started my travels. Then the company fell through.
I landed back in the UK after giving up my home, my furniture, my career and an opportunity to join the RAF.
So, here I am. I can't go back to the RAF because I had been in for 6 months and left. I started another application and was a couple of weeks away from going to OASC, and withdrew. Quite frankly, I doubt they'd be too interested in what I had to say (no matter how reliable my excuses sound!).
Anyway. The past 6 months I have been looking at taking some basic flying (Helicopter) lessons and was wondering to myself what a career would be like.
After further research, it turns out there is a lot of time and money spent during training and gaining the required licenses.
I live in Gloucestershire and we have Staverton airport just around the corner (where I know there are a couple of flight schools).
So my question to you is, have any of you obtained your CPL privately?
I have also been searching for any specialist loans I may be able to get to provide the £30k+ needed or whether I could obtain a grant - but it seems quite low.
Many thanks,
Dan
I'm back at these forums... after I learned so much valuable information the first time round, I thought I would pop back and say Hi!
Right, so where do I begin - I had my first interview and got selected to progress to OASC. I then got offered an opportunity to work in Abu Dhabi... I informed the OASC, respectfully withdrew my application and started my travels. Then the company fell through.
I landed back in the UK after giving up my home, my furniture, my career and an opportunity to join the RAF.
So, here I am. I can't go back to the RAF because I had been in for 6 months and left. I started another application and was a couple of weeks away from going to OASC, and withdrew. Quite frankly, I doubt they'd be too interested in what I had to say (no matter how reliable my excuses sound!).
Anyway. The past 6 months I have been looking at taking some basic flying (Helicopter) lessons and was wondering to myself what a career would be like.
After further research, it turns out there is a lot of time and money spent during training and gaining the required licenses.
I live in Gloucestershire and we have Staverton airport just around the corner (where I know there are a couple of flight schools).
So my question to you is, have any of you obtained your CPL privately?
I have also been searching for any specialist loans I may be able to get to provide the £30k+ needed or whether I could obtain a grant - but it seems quite low.
Many thanks,
Dan
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Yes I have, and I reckon to get to CPL level has cost me in the order of £70k; not sure where you got the figure of £30k.
There's no work for low-houred CPL(H) pilots in the UK. You need either an IR(H) which will cost around £45k or FI(H) which, after the hour building to 250 hours, will cost around £10k.
You will not get a loan unless it is secured on property (either yours or your parents' house(s)). There are some small grants available from GAPAN, Air League and Dennis Kenyon but you may be too old for the latter.
My advice would be to read the Rotorheads forum.
Cheers
Whirls
There's no work for low-houred CPL(H) pilots in the UK. You need either an IR(H) which will cost around £45k or FI(H) which, after the hour building to 250 hours, will cost around £10k.
You will not get a loan unless it is secured on property (either yours or your parents' house(s)). There are some small grants available from GAPAN, Air League and Dennis Kenyon but you may be too old for the latter.
My advice would be to read the Rotorheads forum.
Cheers
Whirls
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Thanks Whirly,
I meant to type 60k (the 3 is below the 6).
Anyway, I have just read the whole FAQ that is up on the "So you want to be a pilot" thread. Seems like the general attitude is quite negative for newbies with a CPL(H). That shouldn't mean they can't enjoy flying privately? (But I suppose their dream was to fly helicopters professionally!).
Anyway, I've always wanted to fly, either plane or helicopter... and it seems that a CPL for light aircraft would be a much safer route... but why sacrifice if that's not what I REALLY want to do?
Anyway, you've definitely given me some food for thought, I'll go to the Rotorheads forum and see what the latest topic of conversation is
Thanks,
Amnesia
I meant to type 60k (the 3 is below the 6).
Anyway, I have just read the whole FAQ that is up on the "So you want to be a pilot" thread. Seems like the general attitude is quite negative for newbies with a CPL(H). That shouldn't mean they can't enjoy flying privately? (But I suppose their dream was to fly helicopters professionally!).
Anyway, I've always wanted to fly, either plane or helicopter... and it seems that a CPL for light aircraft would be a much safer route... but why sacrifice if that's not what I REALLY want to do?
Anyway, you've definitely given me some food for thought, I'll go to the Rotorheads forum and see what the latest topic of conversation is
Thanks,
Amnesia
