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Fixed-wing or Rotary career? (incl Changing licence to Rotary)

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Old 13th Mar 2008, 15:17
  #181 (permalink)  

Hovering AND talking
 
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All that I can find is information for new students but what about converting?


That is sadly, because it is a new licence, not a conversion. The only advantage is that you won’t have to do all the CPL/ATPL ground exams again; just Principles of Flight (as far as I know) and maybe Performance depending on your course and syllabus.

So, you do a PPL(H) first with only a maximum of 6 fixed wings hours to credit i.e. the minimum in which you can pass the PPL(H) is 39 hours – again, there will be theory credits.

155 hours TT in helicopters before you can start a commercial flying course in helicopters. The IR(H) is quite a different kettle of fish – you will get some credit for you fixed wing time for this.

All this information is in LASORS.

Cheers

Whirls
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Old 13th Mar 2008, 21:41
  #182 (permalink)  
 
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ATPL(H) theory as add-on to ATPL(A) theory

Hello!

I have a PPL(A) with an ATPL(A) theory and a CPL(H).
Now I would like to add an ATPL(H) theory to my CPL(H).

Guys form our Aviation Authorities insist that I will have to take 6 bridge exams in order to get my ATPL(H) theory.
They reffered to Appendix 1 to JAR-FCL 2.050.
I am having a hard time trying to find something like my example in JAR FCL 2.
I think that Appendix 3 to JAR-FCL 2.050 is more appropriate to my case but it also calls for 5 exams!

As far as I can see, there are differences only in Performances and Principles of Flight exams...

What do you think?
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Old 22nd Apr 2008, 11:29
  #183 (permalink)  
 
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Confused...

I don't know if this question was asked before, but if it was-please inform me and show me where to look for my answer, because I couldn't find it anywhere...

Would it be better to train for a FW pilot and then go to helicopters? Or would it be better to just train for helicopters if that is what I want to do?
The reason why I ask this is because of the low payment(?) that helicopter pilots get and also the job opportunities...especially when newly trained,etc...

I also foud out it is more expensive to train for a helicopter pilot-would it be possible to train for a HCPL if I am a FW within a short period? Because my whole vision is to fly HELICOPTERS,but it looks to me from the posts on the site that it is difficult to survive if you have a family. Thats why I want to have a FW qualification. Although-I know it would bore me.

I am in Africa,but have access to south africa where i want to do my training.
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Old 22nd Apr 2008, 11:59
  #184 (permalink)  
 
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Diaan

I say chose one or the otherand stick with it. I think at the end of the day tho if you have a family to feed then you have to think of them n urself first

If you went down the FW route tho and managed to get a well paid job with the airlines, you could always then do heli flying as a hobby
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Old 30th Sep 2008, 16:43
  #185 (permalink)  
 
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Helicopter in my future? Please help

Hy guys,


I tried helipilots thread but i need some more specific.


at present my situation is:

35 years old, 1800 TT fixed wing 1500 airline jet IFR.

Thinking of switch in helicopter, I though FAA add -on with IR and twin transition in order to save money and then try getting a job in CHC, Bristow or Era, possibly in Europe.

1) My fixed wing experience is recognised by them or is useless?
2) Do they employ FAA licensed pilot or it is better a JAA one
3) Do they have maximum age for recruitment?

Do you think could be a possible "dream" come true or my plan is completely irrealistic?

thanks to all, any further sujjestion is very welcome and appreciated.
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Old 30th Sep 2008, 17:35
  #186 (permalink)  
 
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If you're looking to fly in Europe go JAA. Get a respectable job with a respectable operator in Europe.

The dangers of short cutting the system MAY have been realised in a recent accident listed elsewhere on this forum. The system (despite making us feel hard done by at times) is there for the benefit of passengers AND pilots alike.

Last edited by misterbonkers; 30th Sep 2008 at 22:09. Reason: to keep the FAA gentlemen happy...
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Old 30th Sep 2008, 19:50
  #187 (permalink)  
 
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misterbonkers, calm down will ya?


liftman, a couple of pointers: The FAA license will get you started on the path to becoming a helicopter pilot but it won't do you much good in Europe. You'll eventually need to get a JAA license. Also: there's really no such thing as a twin helicopter rating or transition in the US. Sure, you can do your add-on in a twin but it would be incredibly costly and serve no purpose whatsoever.

Your fixed-wing experience counts for something but not in the sense that you can just add all your logbook hours together and expect to wow any helicopter operator. If you were authorized to work in the US you could perhaps find a job flying offshore in the Gulf of Mexico with about 750 hours of helicopter experience. A chief pilot might then look at your IFR twin fixed wing time and put you straight in an IFR twin helicopter as a co-pilot.

You should be able to parlay a year or two of experience in the Gulf of Mexico into a job in Europe provided you can afford to convert your FAA ticket to a JAA one. Your age doesn't matter that much, really. More important for your plan, I think, is getting employment authorization in the country (countries) where you want to get on.

Honestly though why on earth would you want to switch to helicopters? Flying an IFR twin helicopter is pretty much the same as flying an IFR twin airplane (save the take-off and landing) but pays a lot less.
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Old 30th Sep 2008, 21:16
  #188 (permalink)  
 
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he's not trying to shortcut the system. He came here looking for advice, not someone to rip on him. Misterbonkers, If you've nothing useful to say then don't say anything at all!
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Old 1st Oct 2008, 00:55
  #189 (permalink)  
 
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It's a big crazy world, I've toyed with the idea of going from rotary to fixed
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Old 1st Oct 2008, 03:26
  #190 (permalink)  
 
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Why don't you and liftman just swap id cards, jobs (and wives?) for a week and see how much you like it!
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Old 6th Jan 2009, 20:33
  #191 (permalink)  
 
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JAA ATPL(A) to JAA CPL(H)

Hey rotorheads, I hope someone is able to help me out. I am an experienced but sadly unemployed (4600hrs total, 4300 jet) ATPL(A) Captain.

Clearly I have done the usual cv bombing campaign to try and return to work, but I have always had an interest in Helis and after hooking up seriously with a Norwegian gf am looking into Helicopters as a way to move closer with a final goal of settling down properly.

Now withholding the usual "career first, relationship second" arguments, how much realistically will I be hit for should I convert my ATPL(A) to CPL(H)?

I understand I will be exempt from some parts but not sure which exams and how many hrs are knocked off from the CPL(H) requirement. Does my fixed wing IR count for or towards the heli IR?

Are any of my fixed wing hrs relevant to a potential employer? Am I wasting my time even contemplating the move to rotary?

I'm sure a quick call to the UK CAA would make this clearer, but nothing beats some genuine (hopefully unbiased) advice from fellow pilots

Thanks in advance.
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Old 6th Jan 2009, 20:44
  #192 (permalink)  
 
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Jim, you don't mention how many hours you have on Rotary?
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Old 6th Jan 2009, 20:52
  #193 (permalink)  
 
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None sadly!
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Old 6th Jan 2009, 21:41
  #194 (permalink)  
 
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Jimbo,

You need to identify what sort of wage you want and therefore what sort of employer you are likely to be looking at. Then give them all a call. I think the job market might be tight for a while.
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Old 9th Feb 2009, 07:26
  #195 (permalink)  
 
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I've heard CHC is hiring new CPL(H) pilots with only 200hrs rotary for jobs in Norway ... not sure about pay though.

http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/353...ml#post4704144
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Old 17th Feb 2009, 12:50
  #196 (permalink)  
 
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Converting ATPL(H) to ATPL(A)??

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone would have info on converting a JAA ATPL(H) to a JAA ATPL(A) and what's required in the process?

Specifically, additional theory exams and credited flying hrs info.

Anyone done so lately and if so what school did you fly at? UK or abroad?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Last edited by Oneflewover; 17th Feb 2009 at 16:21.
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Old 13th Jun 2009, 00:42
  #197 (permalink)  
 
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PPL(A) to PPL(H) help please.....

Hi, I have been looking into obtaining my heli licence and someone has pointed out that as I am already a fixed wing PPL that all I have to do is an add on. I have been looking in the FAR and cannot seem to find where it says what requirements I need as far as solo time and what needs to be done. Can someone please list the exact requirements and where I can find them. The closest I have got is FAR 61.109 C but it is vague as to what needs to be done for an add on.

Any info gratefully received!

HN

P.S. I just spent the last hour in the search but to no avail!
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Old 13th Jun 2009, 03:41
  #198 (permalink)  
 
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Check here then come back if you have questions:

Requirement Checklist
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Old 29th Jun 2009, 19:57
  #199 (permalink)  
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want to start rotary flying

I have a JAR PPL (fixed wing) with a few hundred hours and I want to now tackle the challenge of rotary flight. I have had a chat with a couple of heli pilots and from what I can work out, most of the exams are the same, and I can cross credit some fixed wing hours across.
How many hours do I have to do and what exams will need to be done? I had a quick go in a rotorway the other day and although I was over controlling a bit, I managed to hover it for a few mins before we flew away and I felt quite comfortable in forward flight (I was expecting it to be impossible from what people told me!)
Also, has anyone got any recommendations for training? im in Essex (Canvey Island)

Dave
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Old 29th Jun 2009, 20:28
  #200 (permalink)  
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I think there is a heli school at Southend Airport, so perhaps a visit to them to get a few answers over credits and the like.

Perhaps a trial lesson with them, to get a feel for it in a suitable environment? It will count as time should you decide to go for it.

Once you have some facts, you can then look round for a flight school which suits you.

Usual caveats that any school may say 'you are a natural' for business etc. Plenty of threads here over such things.

Also a PM sent.
RJC is offline  


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