Helicopter instruction: Cost etc
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£40??? 
That's over 60 bucks an hour on top of the cost of the helo.
No wonder learning to fly costs so much in England.
So FI's with low hours must get more an hour than pro's flying helo's in oher jobs jobs like SAR, EMS.
That's over 60 bucks an hour on top of the cost of the helo.
No wonder learning to fly costs so much in England.
So FI's with low hours must get more an hour than pro's flying helo's in oher jobs jobs like SAR, EMS.
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Yes but due to weather costs and hours of daylight they do not get much at the end of the day.
How can anbody be payed on a restricted flying licence?
It seems to laugh in the face of commercial licence holders, or am I way off?
How can anbody be payed on a restricted flying licence?
It seems to laugh in the face of commercial licence holders, or am I way off?
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Whirly,
ta for that, you working now? you allowed to say where?
also anyone else got hard figures?
Imabell,
no I have not got a private licence, thanks for your helpful contribution
Watchoutbelow,
a restricted instructor or FI(R) needs a regular FI present on the airfield or locality while they are flying to supposedly supervise them, they cannot send 1st solo, or 1st solo navex I think (not sure about the last bit under JAR) otherwise unrestricted.
not sure what your point is mate?
ta for that, you working now? you allowed to say where?
also anyone else got hard figures?
Imabell,
no I have not got a private licence, thanks for your helpful contribution
Watchoutbelow,
a restricted instructor or FI(R) needs a regular FI present on the airfield or locality while they are flying to supposedly supervise them, they cannot send 1st solo, or 1st solo navex I think (not sure about the last bit under JAR) otherwise unrestricted.
not sure what your point is mate?
£40 ish a flying hour,
Still on a PPL and after 1400 ish hours i've realised that it's not CPL/PPL or 200 / 2000 hours that counts it is ability and nothing more, yes time builds experience but experience and inteliigence
are the factors in ability.
Just because anyone has passed a test with an examiner at commercial or private level does NOT make them competent, other than on the day.
I do not mean to denigrate the very low hour commercial guys with this, but the attitude that a commercial licence means you are better than private is b**lsh*t (you may have been tested to a higher standard)
Some of the best pilots (not all) I know are private, (with experience) and some of the more mediocre (not crap) are commercial.
Sorry for being contreversial but truth hurts.
I have a J.A.A CPL(H) test in the next two months and pass or fail my attitude will not change.
V.
Still on a PPL and after 1400 ish hours i've realised that it's not CPL/PPL or 200 / 2000 hours that counts it is ability and nothing more, yes time builds experience but experience and inteliigence
are the factors in ability.
Just because anyone has passed a test with an examiner at commercial or private level does NOT make them competent, other than on the day.
I do not mean to denigrate the very low hour commercial guys with this, but the attitude that a commercial licence means you are better than private is b**lsh*t (you may have been tested to a higher standard)
Some of the best pilots (not all) I know are private, (with experience) and some of the more mediocre (not crap) are commercial.
Sorry for being contreversial but truth hurts.
I have a J.A.A CPL(H) test in the next two months and pass or fail my attitude will not change.
V.
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VeeAny, I would agree with you, but having a commercail licence should mean you can earn money and ply the trade, just as a Taxi driver can charge for carrying passengers.
A Private Licence is the equivalent of a drivers licence, and yes a lot of Drivers out there are better then Taxi drivers, (As we all know)
But they shouldn't be allowed earn money from it, or what chance do Taxi drivers have in making a living?
A Private Licence is the equivalent of a drivers licence, and yes a lot of Drivers out there are better then Taxi drivers, (As we all know)
But they shouldn't be allowed earn money from it, or what chance do Taxi drivers have in making a living?
WatchoutBelow,
In some respects you are right, but just because an individual passes a test on a given day does not make them competent.
I try and instill a survival instinct in my students.
I know a lot of people in the industry, and the only thing that matters is to me is that they fly well, and come back alive. We all make mistakes (that's how we learn) but I know that some commercial guys could not cope with say a stuck lever at near max power, and some private guys could.
There is no industry way to allow for this, but ability is ability nevertheless.
I am ALWAYS happy to learn from the examiner(s) who do my check rides , coz one day they may keep me alive.
Fly safe
V.
In some respects you are right, but just because an individual passes a test on a given day does not make them competent.
I try and instill a survival instinct in my students.
I know a lot of people in the industry, and the only thing that matters is to me is that they fly well, and come back alive. We all make mistakes (that's how we learn) but I know that some commercial guys could not cope with say a stuck lever at near max power, and some private guys could.
There is no industry way to allow for this, but ability is ability nevertheless.
I am ALWAYS happy to learn from the examiner(s) who do my check rides , coz one day they may keep me alive.
Fly safe
V.
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Mr VeeAny,
I dont disagree with you that a PPL guys can be more switched on the a CPL munger, ultimately it depends on the person, it is like saying someone is clever because they have a degree, when all it really means is thay have jumped through a greater hoop.
getting the CPL will I think get you more respect from your professional colleagues, as you have got through the entry barriers to an exclusive club.
there has to be some barriers to restrict entry and although their are many people with a PPL + instructor rating still plying their trade (training only of course), it is a bit of a silly system when looked at from the casual observer where you can do engine off landings with someone but you cant fly him to a local hotel for lunch.
2 or 3 years ago there were 10 unemployed AFI(H)'s on every street corner, now there seems to be barrell loads of really low time CPL's around. its still hard to get your foot in whatever route you take I think.
anyhow can we hear some more of what people get paid please ???????, I want a raise and I want to justify it.
I dont disagree with you that a PPL guys can be more switched on the a CPL munger, ultimately it depends on the person, it is like saying someone is clever because they have a degree, when all it really means is thay have jumped through a greater hoop.
getting the CPL will I think get you more respect from your professional colleagues, as you have got through the entry barriers to an exclusive club.
there has to be some barriers to restrict entry and although their are many people with a PPL + instructor rating still plying their trade (training only of course), it is a bit of a silly system when looked at from the casual observer where you can do engine off landings with someone but you cant fly him to a local hotel for lunch.
2 or 3 years ago there were 10 unemployed AFI(H)'s on every street corner, now there seems to be barrell loads of really low time CPL's around. its still hard to get your foot in whatever route you take I think.
anyhow can we hear some more of what people get paid please ???????, I want a raise and I want to justify it.
The Original Whirly
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Camp Freddie,
I'm doing a very small amount of instructing...only trial lessons so far, and it's lucky I don't have to live off it or I'd be starving! But it's a start and I'm not complaining. I'm not going to say where, because although most people know who I am, I'd just as soon absolutely everyone didn't.
Is North-West UK close enough for you? And from what I hear, the rates I gave you are fairly standard in that area, although some people in the South get more...as with most jobs. 
I'm doing a very small amount of instructing...only trial lessons so far, and it's lucky I don't have to live off it or I'd be starving! But it's a start and I'm not complaining. I'm not going to say where, because although most people know who I am, I'd just as soon absolutely everyone didn't.
Is North-West UK close enough for you? And from what I hear, the rates I gave you are fairly standard in that area, although some people in the South get more...as with most jobs.
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Whirly,
we are/were all keen to full exercise our new found instructor skill, not to mention our ability to be paid to fly. However, I think that starting by doing the "odd" trial lesson is really a pretty good way of starting. It gives you time to develop your own technique (no amount of "teaching" an FI instructor is a substitute for teaching a real ab-initio student / trial lesson customer).
You also have time to reflect upon what you did last time, before you get your next victim. Before you know it, one of "your" trial lessons will turn into a full-blown PPL student, and away you go..........
I still miss doing TLs - seeing the pleasure people get from a simple hele flight - Enjoy it!!
we are/were all keen to full exercise our new found instructor skill, not to mention our ability to be paid to fly. However, I think that starting by doing the "odd" trial lesson is really a pretty good way of starting. It gives you time to develop your own technique (no amount of "teaching" an FI instructor is a substitute for teaching a real ab-initio student / trial lesson customer).
You also have time to reflect upon what you did last time, before you get your next victim. Before you know it, one of "your" trial lessons will turn into a full-blown PPL student, and away you go..........
I still miss doing TLs - seeing the pleasure people get from a simple hele flight - Enjoy it!!
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sorry freddie,
i misunderstood,.... again.
i thought you meant you were a pp with an instructor rating.
a pet hate of mine
we pay instructors, grade two $40 australian per flight hour.
grade 1 instructors get $50 per hour to fly and if they have someone in the air solo supervision at the same time they
get $65 per hour. some like it some don't.
it works out at $45000-$50000 per year average. not too bad over here.
again apologies.
i misunderstood,.... again.
i thought you meant you were a pp with an instructor rating.
a pet hate of mine
we pay instructors, grade two $40 australian per flight hour.
grade 1 instructors get $50 per hour to fly and if they have someone in the air solo supervision at the same time they
get $65 per hour. some like it some don't.
it works out at $45000-$50000 per year average. not too bad over here.
again apologies.
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Guess it depends on your deal....better to do loads of hours at 40 rather than a few at 45.
However, I reckon 35 for a new fi(r) and 40-45 for a full fi is about as good as you'll get at most places. However, if you've got multiple types to your name and need to keep them all current, and use them at your school, you should be able to justify a bit more than a bloke with just the R22 for example.
Get the best you can for yourself and study the area carefully. There are schools about who are desperate for consistant instructing staff but there are others who have a ready supply of folk waiting to jump in at a discount.
And also don't hang around....winter in the uk aint the best time to look for a raise in this industry.
Dont forget its your life on the line when your'e doing that eol and that's worth quite a bit an hour to me!
(FYI rates now are no more than they were in 89/90)
However, I reckon 35 for a new fi(r) and 40-45 for a full fi is about as good as you'll get at most places. However, if you've got multiple types to your name and need to keep them all current, and use them at your school, you should be able to justify a bit more than a bloke with just the R22 for example.
Get the best you can for yourself and study the area carefully. There are schools about who are desperate for consistant instructing staff but there are others who have a ready supply of folk waiting to jump in at a discount.
And also don't hang around....winter in the uk aint the best time to look for a raise in this industry.
Dont forget its your life on the line when your'e doing that eol and that's worth quite a bit an hour to me!
(FYI rates now are no more than they were in 89/90)
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Helicopter instructors
Hey there guys and gals,
Just wondering on what sort of pay helicopter instructors in the UK get paid, per hour/ annually.....how many hours a year do you fly and if you get any pay teaching groundschool subjects??
many thanks,
Fatigue.
Just wondering on what sort of pay helicopter instructors in the UK get paid, per hour/ annually.....how many hours a year do you fly and if you get any pay teaching groundschool subjects??
many thanks,
Fatigue.
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The answer to this one is going to vary wildly. It depends on you and the company you work for. The company will dictate how ,many people come through the door for a trial lesson. It will depend on you to get those people who want to get a ppl to learn to fly with you. A newby instructor will earn less than an established instructor - fewer clients.
I worked in the south east for a biggish company and earned about £17k pa gross in my first 2 years instructing, but there are people out there earning a bit more. That was based on about 400 hours a year, working full time. WE did get paid a nominal amount for ground school.
I worked in the south east for a biggish company and earned about £17k pa gross in my first 2 years instructing, but there are people out there earning a bit more. That was based on about 400 hours a year, working full time. WE did get paid a nominal amount for ground school.
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You can earn a bit more if you own your own machine. I earn around 40K flying my own machine i pay £20.00 per hour to the FTO.
Oh yes and i get to pay the fuel, insurance, and repair bills / servicing.
So all in all i make about £50.00 a week. Good job i have another job
Wouldn't swap it for anything
CF
Oh yes and i get to pay the fuel, insurance, and repair bills / servicing.
So all in all i make about £50.00 a week. Good job i have another job
Wouldn't swap it for anything
CF
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Rotor Virgin!
Hi!
I am currently studying for a BSc in Agriculture at University. I have always had a passion for private planes and helicopters, and my ambition is to gain my PPL(H) while I am still young enough (23) to learn and master new skills without too much difficulty. Although i do not underestimate the hurdles that one must overcome when undertaking a pilots licence! Also, having read some of your e-mails. the job is lousy, and the pay is even worse!!
After my course finishes in June, I intend to travel the world for 6-8 months. I have heard that it is cheaper to take a PPL(H) overseas. Do you know of any problems associated with taking part or all of the licence overseas?
There are a few other golden nuggets i'd like to geen from you if i may.
- I wear glasses for close work. Would this deem me unfit to train for a licence?
- What would be the average cost for someone taking their PPL(H) with no previous experience? I believe that its based on the period of time you intend to do the course over, but an estimate would be of great help. if i hoped to complete my PPL in, say, 2-5 months?
- Is there much call for new pilots for delivery or VIP Business flights with companies? I understand that if i decided to go down this path i'd need a CPL. What does this involve over and above training for a standard private licence in terms of flying hours, cost and exams?
Thank you for taking the time to read the e-mail. Any information (published or personal suggestions) you could pass on to me would be of great interest.
Many thanks,
Charlie Hewitt.
I am currently studying for a BSc in Agriculture at University. I have always had a passion for private planes and helicopters, and my ambition is to gain my PPL(H) while I am still young enough (23) to learn and master new skills without too much difficulty. Although i do not underestimate the hurdles that one must overcome when undertaking a pilots licence! Also, having read some of your e-mails. the job is lousy, and the pay is even worse!!
After my course finishes in June, I intend to travel the world for 6-8 months. I have heard that it is cheaper to take a PPL(H) overseas. Do you know of any problems associated with taking part or all of the licence overseas?
There are a few other golden nuggets i'd like to geen from you if i may.
- I wear glasses for close work. Would this deem me unfit to train for a licence?
- What would be the average cost for someone taking their PPL(H) with no previous experience? I believe that its based on the period of time you intend to do the course over, but an estimate would be of great help. if i hoped to complete my PPL in, say, 2-5 months?
- Is there much call for new pilots for delivery or VIP Business flights with companies? I understand that if i decided to go down this path i'd need a CPL. What does this involve over and above training for a standard private licence in terms of flying hours, cost and exams?
Thank you for taking the time to read the e-mail. Any information (published or personal suggestions) you could pass on to me would be of great interest.
Many thanks,
Charlie Hewitt.
Charlie: (are we related?)
Most of the info you need can ge gleaned from reading other people's posts, but the simple answers to your questions are:
1.No
2. About 45 thousand.
3. No way on earth. What VIP wants a zero-time bograt driving him around? What manufacturer / dealer wants their multi-million dollar machine delivered by the same bograt? When you got your car licence, did Rolls-Royce ring you up to offer a job delivering their cars?
Search the other files and search your inner desires and your bank account, then make a decision.
Most of the info you need can ge gleaned from reading other people's posts, but the simple answers to your questions are:
1.No
2. About 45 thousand.
3. No way on earth. What VIP wants a zero-time bograt driving him around? What manufacturer / dealer wants their multi-million dollar machine delivered by the same bograt? When you got your car licence, did Rolls-Royce ring you up to offer a job delivering their cars?
Search the other files and search your inner desires and your bank account, then make a decision.
Hovering AND talking
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45 grand for a PPL ???
Mine totalled (including exams, medical, books, materials, accommodation, bribes etc) about £18k and that was for a Schweizer 300c. If you learn on a Robinson R22, the hourly rate is cheaper (but I have heard that the average time taken to pass is longer).
As for all the rules and regs concerning CPL here and abroad - what you can and can't do, what you need to take, get a copy of LASORS 2004 - if you can get through that, then you can get through anything
Basically, to start a CPL course, you must have 155 hours (includes the hours taken for PPL), take a 30 hour course and pass more exams. For instructor rating, you need to have 300 hours.
Most companies would not take on a pilot with less than 500 - 1000 hours. You might get part time work doing pleasure flights but have another income.
That's it in a nutshell; check out the other fora here and flight schools own websites.
Cheers
Whirlygig
Mine totalled (including exams, medical, books, materials, accommodation, bribes etc) about £18k and that was for a Schweizer 300c. If you learn on a Robinson R22, the hourly rate is cheaper (but I have heard that the average time taken to pass is longer).
As for all the rules and regs concerning CPL here and abroad - what you can and can't do, what you need to take, get a copy of LASORS 2004 - if you can get through that, then you can get through anything
Basically, to start a CPL course, you must have 155 hours (includes the hours taken for PPL), take a 30 hour course and pass more exams. For instructor rating, you need to have 300 hours.
Most companies would not take on a pilot with less than 500 - 1000 hours. You might get part time work doing pleasure flights but have another income.
That's it in a nutshell; check out the other fora here and flight schools own websites.
Cheers
Whirlygig