UK School recommendations?
 

Hello Chaps

I am about to make the decision to start the path to becoming a professional helicopter pilot.

I looking at schools. I have done quite a lot of reading here and else where.

From what I have read, I think its not really worth me going America, Australia, or New Zealand? To acquire my licence since the EASA has come in? As I would incur additional costs, to fly in the UK and EU? From something I have read the EASA is accepted in other parts of the world with out much fuss because of its higher standards? But not the other way round? Hence why now the retraining?

The school I was thinking of going with is Phoenix Helicopters at Goodwood Aerodrome. Which is fairly local to me. I have sent an email asking the usual questions, like how many hours does it take for the average man to go from zero to full helicopter licence they state in there literature 190 hours. Which I suspect is the bare minimum and based on the assumption the student passes everything first time.

So is Phoenix a good school? Is there any other recommended helicopter flying schools in Dorset, Hampshire, or Wiltshire area? Which train to EASA CPL(H).

Higher standards? Yeah, right. Perceived higher standards is a more appropriate phrase :) Some countries don't accept EASA at all.

If you don't need EASA, don't do it.

It depends where you want to fly. if in Europe, you will need an EASA licence. But many parts of the world accept FAA quite readily, and their system is much more straightforward. Don't forget also that Canadians are quite good at training pilots, too :) In fact, their CPL(H) is only 100 hours. The minimum is 155 hours for EASA.

The best thing to do with schools is go and visit them. Don't pay anything up front, except on a daily basis.

Oh yes, also get a second language - Spanish would be a good choice if you want to go wandering.

Thanks for the advice, me and foreign languages don't generally mix, and believe me I have tried. Yes I know the minimum is 155 hours in the UK. I will go into more details with Phoenix Helicopter Academy when they have answered my last batch of questions.

I had forgot about Canada, but if I go the Foreign route NZ is looking the favourite, mainly because I have already been granted a working visa there for a year from entry. I will check Canada out thinks :)

Check out Bliss Aviation at Bournemouth.

Bliss at Bournemouth are only able to train people to PPL(H). Checked with them, as they are not that far away from me at all.

When you say Stapleford, do you mean this place? Helicopter Lessons Stapleford Abbotts | www.youflyinglessons.co.uk