Which country for training?
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PPL NZ or Oz
Hi all,
I'm a Brit who is looking to gain his PPL in Nz or Oz hopefully this Christmas, help on the following would be useful:
Shortest time PPL realistically takes (as this would mean time off work)?
Is a conversion course needed for when i have to return home to blighty?
Can some one recomend some schools with contact details?
I'm a Brit who is looking to gain his PPL in Nz or Oz hopefully this Christmas, help on the following would be useful:
Shortest time PPL realistically takes (as this would mean time off work)?
Is a conversion course needed for when i have to return home to blighty?
Can some one recomend some schools with contact details?
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: nz
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chrisallen
Check out what is required for foreign licence conversions on the UK CAA website under LASORS.
Regarding places to train, can't say much about Oz, but South Island NZ is certainly a challenging place to learn as there are some very solid mountains to avoid and the weather can actually be worse than the UK.
What do you want to do with your licence? If you want to get a CPL and make a "living" from it, then it's worth considering remaining in one country to get to know the industry. I'm not suggesting it's the best or only way (there are a million and one paths taken to date), but it's a good start.
If you want to leave it at a PPL (which 99% of CPL holders would suggest!), then get yourself down-under, have a great experience, and learn how to drink fizzy ****ty beer.
Try these schools for a start, Wanaka Helicopters, Nelson Aviation College. Good mountain flying, awesome scenery and scarey women.
You've got about 60-70 hours to do for a PPL, rough guide of 2 hours a day, 4-5 days a week allowing for weather if you're doing it full time.
Check out what is required for foreign licence conversions on the UK CAA website under LASORS.
Regarding places to train, can't say much about Oz, but South Island NZ is certainly a challenging place to learn as there are some very solid mountains to avoid and the weather can actually be worse than the UK.
What do you want to do with your licence? If you want to get a CPL and make a "living" from it, then it's worth considering remaining in one country to get to know the industry. I'm not suggesting it's the best or only way (there are a million and one paths taken to date), but it's a good start.
If you want to leave it at a PPL (which 99% of CPL holders would suggest!), then get yourself down-under, have a great experience, and learn how to drink fizzy ****ty beer.
Try these schools for a start, Wanaka Helicopters, Nelson Aviation College. Good mountain flying, awesome scenery and scarey women.
You've got about 60-70 hours to do for a PPL, rough guide of 2 hours a day, 4-5 days a week allowing for weather if you're doing it full time.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UK
Age: 46
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where to train?
Hi 
I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice or personal recommendations on schools to train at to get my CPL(H). I live in the UK but I am really not interested in training or working in the UK. I was thinking Canada or Alaska would be good places to train and work at, especially somewhere near the rockies. My reasons for these choices are that I would really love to go there in the first place, but also because there seems to be lots of work there. And mountain flying I feel would be good experience.
I understand that theres probably going to be a few people here who actually work at schools, and I would definatly be intested to hearing why I should choose you above others
but also some personal experience stories would be nice to hear
I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice or personal recommendations on schools to train at to get my CPL(H). I live in the UK but I am really not interested in training or working in the UK. I was thinking Canada or Alaska would be good places to train and work at, especially somewhere near the rockies. My reasons for these choices are that I would really love to go there in the first place, but also because there seems to be lots of work there. And mountain flying I feel would be good experience.I understand that theres probably going to be a few people here who actually work at schools, and I would definatly be intested to hearing why I should choose you above others
but also some personal experience stories would be nice to hear
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LONDON
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Canada And Mountains
YES, THATS MY DREAM TOO,IM JUST FINISHING MY PPLH HERE, WANT GET OUT QUICK AS I CAN....HERE SOME...OKANAGEN HELICOPTERS, HAVE A LOOK AT THE CANADIAN SCHOOLS AT THE WWW.THIRTYTHOUSANDFEET.COM
TRK HELICOPTERS LOOK GOOD TOO THERE IS BRIT INSTURUCTOR,I LOVE THIS BASEHELICOPTERS.COM BUT JET RANGERS ...LETS GO TOGETHER LET ME KNOW...LUXSTAR
TRK HELICOPTERS LOOK GOOD TOO THERE IS BRIT INSTURUCTOR,I LOVE THIS BASEHELICOPTERS.COM BUT JET RANGERS ...LETS GO TOGETHER LET ME KNOW...LUXSTAR
"Now then, where did that 'Training FAQ' thread go, eh? We seem to have misplaced it again. But I'm sure that if I look for it, I might find it somewhere down the back of the sofa... 
Failing that, surely the 'Search' function can't be far away..."
Failing that, surely the 'Search' function can't be far away..."
Join Date: May 2006
Location: USA
Age: 35
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
YES, THATS MY DREAM TOO,IM JUST FINISHING MY PPLH HERE, WANT GET OUT QUICK AS I CAN....HERE SOME...OKANAGEN HELICOPTERS, HAVE A LOOK AT THE CANADIAN SCHOOLS AT THE WWW.THIRTYTHOUSANDFEET.COM
TRK HELICOPTERS LOOK GOOD TOO THERE IS BRIT INSTURUCTOR,I LOVE THIS BASEHELICOPTERS.COM BUT JET RANGERS ...LETS GO TOGETHER LET ME KNOW...LUXSTAR
TRK HELICOPTERS LOOK GOOD TOO THERE IS BRIT INSTURUCTOR,I LOVE THIS BASEHELICOPTERS.COM BUT JET RANGERS ...LETS GO TOGETHER LET ME KNOW...LUXSTAR
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chinook in abbotsford, BC would be worth a look! using B47's ...
I have no experience with the company. But a friend went thru them for a conversion, and said they were first class in all respects...
170'
I have no experience with the company. But a friend went thru them for a conversion, and said they were first class in all respects...
170'
Join Date: May 2001
Location: In a Tent
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chinook Helicopters in Abbotsford BC would be a good company to train with as the have very experienced (industry) instructors. They also have 2 Transport Canada examiners on staff so that makes things easier for getting flight tests booked etc. They also offer BC forestry approved mountain courses; I have always had great service from Chinook,
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UK
Age: 46
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thecontroller that was going to lead me on to my next question but since you mentioned it I may as well bring it up here. I hear that many helicopters follow the work around the world from season to season, but how easy/hard is it to get a work permit? Its not something Ive ever had experience with.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LONDON
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
smart replies...
bravo73,when you point your finger at somebody...do you know the other three fingers pointing at you.....threads are out of date the info people places are changing at alltimes....do any body know about point system in canada...read the book..live and work in usa and canada by adam lechmere and susan catto....most of all you got have personality, and talent....as for me sir, iam qualified nurse...emergency trained....and experence chef currently running a popular london restaurent....so if you have certain abilty take care of the people....you will survive anywhere....most of all ...majority of canadians from all over the world...and they dont have heli licence.....so boys....come out the high horses...loook the world in broader prospective...you might get there one day.....
Many thanks for the life-lesson, LUXSTAR. And many thanks particularly for not shouting for once.
However, you've been around here long enough (since Sept 2005, if I can read correctly) to realise that there are certain unwritten rules about how one should act when using an internet forum. Let's refer to these rules as 'forum etiquette'.
One of the fundamentals of this etiquette is the use of the 'search function'. SIBUK is not the first to ask these questions (and certainly won't be the last) and this means that the various previous answers have all been saved which has led to PPRuNE becoming a huge resource of useful information.
As a new member, your first port of call should always be to see what others have asked and been answered before. Who knows, this might even answer your questions! Yes, some of the info might seem a little out of date, but the majority of the advice and experience still stands. After reading through the previous info, if you still have queries, please ask more specific, targeted questions. This in turn will add to the information resource. Hence, the 'Training FAQ' thread.
And, as Whirls has so succinctly summed it up in another recent thread over on the Private Forum, "However, whilst we [the Rotorheads] are a helpful bunch, we won't spoon-feed you so you'll have to do your own research as well."
And, for the record, (like it or not) reasonable grammar and spelling will stand you in a much better light on this forum. I suggest that your next point of call might be www.dictionary.com or even here.
Lesson over.
However, you've been around here long enough (since Sept 2005, if I can read correctly) to realise that there are certain unwritten rules about how one should act when using an internet forum. Let's refer to these rules as 'forum etiquette'.
One of the fundamentals of this etiquette is the use of the 'search function'. SIBUK is not the first to ask these questions (and certainly won't be the last) and this means that the various previous answers have all been saved which has led to PPRuNE becoming a huge resource of useful information.
As a new member, your first port of call should always be to see what others have asked and been answered before. Who knows, this might even answer your questions! Yes, some of the info might seem a little out of date, but the majority of the advice and experience still stands. After reading through the previous info, if you still have queries, please ask more specific, targeted questions. This in turn will add to the information resource. Hence, the 'Training FAQ' thread.
And, as Whirls has so succinctly summed it up in another recent thread over on the Private Forum, "However, whilst we [the Rotorheads] are a helpful bunch, we won't spoon-feed you so you'll have to do your own research as well."
And, for the record, (like it or not) reasonable grammar and spelling will stand you in a much better light on this forum. I suggest that your next point of call might be www.dictionary.com or even here.
Lesson over.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Guys,
Raise the bar a bit.
New people here need gently pointing in the right direction, not a verbal slapping.
This is a small industry and childish jabs at spelling help no one. No law against asking, no law says you HAVE to reply with nothing useful.
You were new here once B73 and as I recall full of questions. I presume you don't need reminding of some of your earliest posts
Raise the bar a bit.
New people here need gently pointing in the right direction, not a verbal slapping.
This is a small industry and childish jabs at spelling help no one. No law against asking, no law says you HAVE to reply with nothing useful.
You were new here once B73 and as I recall full of questions. I presume you don't need reminding of some of your earliest posts
Certainly was new here once (July 2002, apparently) but I'm not so sure if I was so full of questions at the time. Here's the link to all of my previous posts. You might notice that there was over a year between me registering and then first posting. That's about how long it took me to read all the old posts and get a sense of how things operate here.
Oh, please do. The link is there, just above your quote. Not many skeletons in my closet, I'm afraid.
Now then, are you sure that you're not confusing me with another (slightly more infamous) BRAVO????
But, anyway, sorry for the thread drift. Please continue this via PM if you want.
BRAVO 99 (AJB) is the username that you're looking for!
Now then, are you sure that you're not confusing me with another (slightly more infamous) BRAVO????
But, anyway, sorry for the thread drift. Please continue this via PM if you want.
BRAVO 99 (AJB) is the username that you're looking for!
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Wales
Age: 38
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
advice
Hi, I'm after some advice about doing a CPL(H) here in the UK. To start with I'll give you my background - 21 years old, PPL(A) with 60 odd hours fixed wing, PPL(H) with around 95 hours heli time (including 25 jetranger), currently doing JAA ATPL(H) groundschool in Bournemouth with 10 out of the 13 passed. I sit the last exams in January so from then on it's going to be hour building and then the CPL(H).
Problem I'm having is deciding where to do the rest of my flying and for what licenses.
Current options:
1. Stay in the UK, hour build, do CPL, and hopefully find a job without an FIC or IR. Or get a job with someone like CHC in which case I could probably get loans out to cover an IR as long as the job was pretty much certain. Which all comes down to job prospects for a low hour rotary pilot in the UK.
2. Go to the US and get the JAA and FAA CPLs with HAI - then either come back looking for employment, or stay there on a J1 visa and try to find work for 2 years, after maybe doing an FAA IR, CFI and CFII. Which comes down to job prospects in the US...
3. Train and look for work in South Africa - though I want to get the JAA license since I've done the groundschool, and since I don't know of any places in SA that do the JAA CPL, that would still mean doing exams elsewhere
4. Any other option - or a combination of all of them. eg hour building in the states and JAA CPL here.
Any experiences or information that would be useful from anyone? What are the chances of getting work with CHC or perhaps Bristows for a low hour guy if perhaps I could pay for an IR? Especially if I was willing to be bonded to them for a few years?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Ioan
Problem I'm having is deciding where to do the rest of my flying and for what licenses.
Current options:
1. Stay in the UK, hour build, do CPL, and hopefully find a job without an FIC or IR. Or get a job with someone like CHC in which case I could probably get loans out to cover an IR as long as the job was pretty much certain. Which all comes down to job prospects for a low hour rotary pilot in the UK.
2. Go to the US and get the JAA and FAA CPLs with HAI - then either come back looking for employment, or stay there on a J1 visa and try to find work for 2 years, after maybe doing an FAA IR, CFI and CFII. Which comes down to job prospects in the US...
3. Train and look for work in South Africa - though I want to get the JAA license since I've done the groundschool, and since I don't know of any places in SA that do the JAA CPL, that would still mean doing exams elsewhere
4. Any other option - or a combination of all of them. eg hour building in the states and JAA CPL here.
Any experiences or information that would be useful from anyone? What are the chances of getting work with CHC or perhaps Bristows for a low hour guy if perhaps I could pay for an IR? Especially if I was willing to be bonded to them for a few years?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Ioan
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Where ever my feet take me
Age: 40
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Which country for training?
Which country for training?
Has to be the States for sure. Live in the Uk and have been over 3 times. Better weather,cost, availability of aircraft and the list goes on...
Has to be the States for sure. Live in the Uk and have been over 3 times. Better weather,cost, availability of aircraft and the list goes on...
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No it doesn't for sure!
There are many factors which govern anyone's decision as to where to train, not least being, where to fly and work afterwards!
Plus there are other countries with the attributes you describe - have you flown in NZ? SA? And I'm sure there are other countries which don't have such complex visa regulations.
Cheers
Whirls
There are many factors which govern anyone's decision as to where to train, not least being, where to fly and work afterwards!
Plus there are other countries with the attributes you describe - have you flown in NZ? SA? And I'm sure there are other countries which don't have such complex visa regulations.
Cheers
Whirls
Better red than ...
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Appleby-in-Westmorland Cumbria England
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Get the hours to get to (JAR) CPL soonest.
Then consider conversion to non JAR, unless you plan to live away.
Hours are evrything.
[Groundschools in Bournmouth - narrows the list down The best]
h-r
Then consider conversion to non JAR, unless you plan to live away.
Hours are evrything.
[Groundschools in Bournmouth - narrows the list down
The best]h-r
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Where ever my feet take me
Age: 40
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whirlygig
Yup i agree! Im heading down to SA soon to get my CPL(H) and CFI(H), so looking forward to that!
I enjoyed the states and would recommend it to anyone!! British instructors will try and poo-poo the states with saying standards arnt the same, weather blablabla. My PPL examinor was a test pilot at Robinson factory, probably the best of the best out there!
You flown in SA? Im heading to PE
Yup i agree! Im heading down to SA soon to get my CPL(H) and CFI(H), so looking forward to that!
I enjoyed the states and would recommend it to anyone!! British instructors will try and poo-poo the states with saying standards arnt the same, weather blablabla. My PPL examinor was a test pilot at Robinson factory, probably the best of the best out there!
You flown in SA? Im heading to PE
Join Date: May 2009
Location: No Fixed Abode
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Training - US or UK?
With the current exchange rate between Dollar/Sterling, what are the views on where to train (0 experience to CPL).
Is the US still a good bet, when taking account of relocating, purchase of car, flights, visas etc etc. Or perhaps at the moment it is best to go to a local school?
Is the US still a good bet, when taking account of relocating, purchase of car, flights, visas etc etc. Or perhaps at the moment it is best to go to a local school?