Questions about obtaining an Instrument Rating
Join Date: Nov 2009
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Weasel would you care to elaborate a bit? Seems to me like there is a bit more than Bristow out there.
HillerBee thanks for those two, I had never heard about Algarve Helos, there isn't much on their website really.
In the meantime I have found Helicoptersprague in Czech Republic, Superiorair in Greece and another FTO in Latvia... am still inquiring about their Initial Type ratings on ME.
HillerBee thanks for those two, I had never heard about Algarve Helos, there isn't much on their website really.
In the meantime I have found Helicoptersprague in Czech Republic, Superiorair in Greece and another FTO in Latvia... am still inquiring about their Initial Type ratings on ME.
Join Date: Jan 2010
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Peter PanPan:
I finished my IR-H ME last friday in Norway at European Helicopter Center www.ehc.no It concisted of 40 hrs FNPT II + 8 hrs VFR and 10 hrs IFR on the BO 105 + skilltest.
Total price is about 41,200 Euros. Incl. skilltest (2 hrs).
I'm overall satisfied with the program, and it didn't take too long to complete. I assume I spent a total of 3 weeks from start to skilltest at the school, but I did the course part-time (working fulltime and flying in my off-periodes).
That's the exact same price as they charge in Denmark on a 206L (IR-H SE) and you get a ME and a few hours more in Norway. Sweden is more expencive on the 206L.
I checked Bond, Bristow and a school in the Netherlands, and neighter could compete on price.
It's not much to save to do an FAA IR first and convert it to JAR eighter. It only takes a lot more time..
The downside is that the BO 105 isn't the easiest machine to fly IFR single-pilot (no autopilot+the machine is quite nervous), but we didn't use the autopilot in the FNPT II eighter, so the transition to the 105 wasn't bad at all. And if you have completed 60 hours without autopilot, it's a dream the day you have the luxury of that aid. You become GOOD at cross-checking!
I finished my IR-H ME last friday in Norway at European Helicopter Center www.ehc.no It concisted of 40 hrs FNPT II + 8 hrs VFR and 10 hrs IFR on the BO 105 + skilltest.
Total price is about 41,200 Euros. Incl. skilltest (2 hrs).
I'm overall satisfied with the program, and it didn't take too long to complete. I assume I spent a total of 3 weeks from start to skilltest at the school, but I did the course part-time (working fulltime and flying in my off-periodes).
That's the exact same price as they charge in Denmark on a 206L (IR-H SE) and you get a ME and a few hours more in Norway. Sweden is more expencive on the 206L.
I checked Bond, Bristow and a school in the Netherlands, and neighter could compete on price.
It's not much to save to do an FAA IR first and convert it to JAR eighter. It only takes a lot more time..
The downside is that the BO 105 isn't the easiest machine to fly IFR single-pilot (no autopilot+the machine is quite nervous), but we didn't use the autopilot in the FNPT II eighter, so the transition to the 105 wasn't bad at all. And if you have completed 60 hours without autopilot, it's a dream the day you have the luxury of that aid. You become GOOD at cross-checking!
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charliedontsurf, thank you for the info, sorry for the delay in replying but I totally missed your post! Will surely look into the norwegian school and comment on it.
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Has anyone done the SE IR(H) with Algarve Helicopters? I'm wondering how this would look on a CV, would it be taken seriously?
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Another vote (with my wallet) for EHC - I did my IR with them over Xmas. Took about 6 weeks total, but there was a break in the middle for Xmas itself, plus some inefficiency due to people moving around a bit at that time (going on holiday, etc). They did work extra hard to pull it all together for me, though, and they bent over backwards to suit my requirements (totally unlike the UK schools, I might add).
Total cost came in around £38k (including accomodation at the school, food, and Lyin' Air flights to and fro), which was substantially cheaper than anywhere in the UK (lowest UK price I saw was £42k, and that was from a school with no instructor). UK schools were also far less accomodating in terms of meeting my requirements. If I had to make the decision again now, I'd go with EHC like a shot.
For comparison, the costs quoted above include 40 hours sim, 10 hours IFR, 8 hours VFR, and one go at the test.
Staying in Norway was great, too - fantastic people, had a great time.
Whether you need a SE IR or a ME IR depends on where you want to go and what you want to do. Last I heard, Bristow Aberdeen don't care whether your IR is SE or ME as they do the necessary training to get a SE to ME as part of the type conversion anyway; CHC and Bond require you to have a ME IR to start with. I believe there was a requirement from some of the Spanish fire companies last year for everyone to have IRs, but they were perfectly happy with SE IRs; I heard there was an outfit in Lisbon doing an IR in a 300 for around €15k. As always, YMMV - if you don't know what you need, you have more research to do before you start looking for schools!
Total cost came in around £38k (including accomodation at the school, food, and Lyin' Air flights to and fro), which was substantially cheaper than anywhere in the UK (lowest UK price I saw was £42k, and that was from a school with no instructor). UK schools were also far less accomodating in terms of meeting my requirements. If I had to make the decision again now, I'd go with EHC like a shot.
For comparison, the costs quoted above include 40 hours sim, 10 hours IFR, 8 hours VFR, and one go at the test.
Staying in Norway was great, too - fantastic people, had a great time.
Whether you need a SE IR or a ME IR depends on where you want to go and what you want to do. Last I heard, Bristow Aberdeen don't care whether your IR is SE or ME as they do the necessary training to get a SE to ME as part of the type conversion anyway; CHC and Bond require you to have a ME IR to start with. I believe there was a requirement from some of the Spanish fire companies last year for everyone to have IRs, but they were perfectly happy with SE IRs; I heard there was an outfit in Lisbon doing an IR in a 300 for around €15k. As always, YMMV - if you don't know what you need, you have more research to do before you start looking for schools!
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i hope im understanding this right. ill be doing my helicopter license soon i have 0 experience but now reading this it sounds like its no point in taking the IR during the training course. so even if i do the professional program PPL to CPL with the IR that still means i cant go in a R22 or R44 in bad weather(rain,fog,cloudy days etc)
sorry if i read it wrong and the question i asked is stupid i do apologize. i just want to find out as you all know training isn't cheap so i want to know im spending my money on the correct ratings and license that i need.
Safe flying to everyone.
sorry if i read it wrong and the question i asked is stupid i do apologize. i just want to find out as you all know training isn't cheap so i want to know im spending my money on the correct ratings and license that i need.
Safe flying to everyone.
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Algarve Helicopters....really?
I'm fascinated...a SE IR on the 44? Has anyone done this? More specifically, has anyone with a UK CAA CPL done this. I can't imagine they'd authorise it.
As Vee-r asked, how would that look on a CV, considering I have the AS332 co-pilot rating and a little offshore time on a non-EASA license??
As Vee-r asked, how would that look on a CV, considering I have the AS332 co-pilot rating and a little offshore time on a non-EASA license??
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Clintonb:
As has be pointed out to you many times, on many different threads, you need to decide what you want to do before you get appropriate training to do it. Although you can train IFR in a single in some places, I seriously doubt anyone anywhere would consider IFR operations in Robbos. Decide what you want to do, then work backwards to see what qualifications you need, then work out how to pay for it. Go round that loop a few times if you need to.
Chickenhawk1:
I believe it's still possible to get a SE IR added to a UK-issued license, assuming the school etc. is JAA-approved and licensed. There just aren't many JAA SE IR schools around anymore.
As above, some operators don't care whether an IR is ME or SE, as they'll provide the necessary training as a matter of course anyway. Other operators do care, and require a ME IR before they'll even look at you.
As has be pointed out to you many times, on many different threads, you need to decide what you want to do before you get appropriate training to do it. Although you can train IFR in a single in some places, I seriously doubt anyone anywhere would consider IFR operations in Robbos. Decide what you want to do, then work backwards to see what qualifications you need, then work out how to pay for it. Go round that loop a few times if you need to.
Chickenhawk1:
I believe it's still possible to get a SE IR added to a UK-issued license, assuming the school etc. is JAA-approved and licensed. There just aren't many JAA SE IR schools around anymore.
As above, some operators don't care whether an IR is ME or SE, as they'll provide the necessary training as a matter of course anyway. Other operators do care, and require a ME IR before they'll even look at you.
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The Algarve outfit is actually run by a couple of Irish guys, they are said to be an approved FAA approved overseas training provider as well. I don't have any experience with them, they are definitely listed as one of the portuguese FTOs. I wouldn't worry too much about whether the UK CAA approves it or not, if someone is considering a MEIR, might as well do the whole thing in Portugal, it would certainly be cheaper than the UK.
Anyone considering going to Algarve should check availability of aircraft first.
Not so long ago, one of their aircraft had been confiscated by Spanish police. I guess you cant blame them for something a charter client committed, but it could be a big drawback if they dont have a spare machine for the training available.
Dont get me wrong, I wish this company the best of luck and its great to see that someone can offer dirt-cheap instrument training, but its important to put the cards on the table.
Not so long ago, one of their aircraft had been confiscated by Spanish police. I guess you cant blame them for something a charter client committed, but it could be a big drawback if they dont have a spare machine for the training available.
Dont get me wrong, I wish this company the best of luck and its great to see that someone can offer dirt-cheap instrument training, but its important to put the cards on the table.
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Thanks for all the input. Lasors seems to make it clear that a SE IR(H) can be added to a licence. It does seem odd to me that there aren't more approved single engine schools around, but it is what it is, I guess.
I'm personally planning on building some IR time offshore in the states before coming back to the UK, a SE IR would be a lot easier to deal with financially.
I haven't yet talked to any of the big three about their take on all of this, thought I'd try asking the collective first.
I'm personally planning on building some IR time offshore in the states before coming back to the UK, a SE IR would be a lot easier to deal with financially.
I haven't yet talked to any of the big three about their take on all of this, thought I'd try asking the collective first.
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Again, I wouldn't be concerned with it being a SEIR, if your goal is getting a MEIR, then just carry on with your Initial type rating on a ME and upgrade your IR to a MEIR, the UK CAA cannot reject the training, can they?
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Has anyone used the outfit in Portugal? Algarve helicopters
Are they still active with their JAA SE IR(H) training?
I emailed them the a few days ago and am still waiting for a reply as to cost and availability of aircraft
Cheers Chester
Are they still active with their JAA SE IR(H) training?
I emailed them the a few days ago and am still waiting for a reply as to cost and availability of aircraft
Cheers Chester
Last edited by chester2005; 15th Apr 2011 at 11:55.
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Sadly not, i never received a reply from e-mails and when i called their telephone number no one ever answered,
its a shame really because a JAA SE IR on a R44 would be probably very affordable for a lot of people and it would cover the 36 month rule for ATPL knowledge expiry!
If anyone has better luck with the Algarve company or any other offering JAA SE IRs on R44s please let me know.
Chester
its a shame really because a JAA SE IR on a R44 would be probably very affordable for a lot of people and it would cover the 36 month rule for ATPL knowledge expiry!
If anyone has better luck with the Algarve company or any other offering JAA SE IRs on R44s please let me know.
Chester