Becoming an Instructor & related FI questions
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Whirlybird
I have only had experience of Mike Smith and Mike Green at Fast and anyone who gets taught by either of these two is gaining some quality instruction from two very very experienced men.
Good luck
I have only had experience of Mike Smith and Mike Green at Fast and anyone who gets taught by either of these two is gaining some quality instruction from two very very experienced men.
Good luck
HeliFirst
Join Date: Jan 2001
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No contest..
There is only one.
Philip Sheldon at Cambridge Helicopters
(of Aeromega Helicopters, Stapleford and now also at Fenland)
He is in demand so book him if you can....
There is only one.
Philip Sheldon at Cambridge Helicopters
(of Aeromega Helicopters, Stapleford and now also at Fenland)
He is in demand so book him if you can....
Join Date: Jan 2001
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The AFI (oops FI(R)) course is a major undertaking. For me it was the most instructive "rating" I ever did. It taught me a lot about flying as well as how to instruct and I learnt about myself as well. It is really much more than just a simple rating too - it opens up a complete new dimension to flying, not to mention an opportunity to fly without cost and even earn money from it!!
Who you choose is key - others have mentioned some of the more obvious names. I would recommend most of those explicitly or implicitly ID'd by previous threads, except perhaps one of them. Even in a rumour network there comes a point where you have to make your own personal choice, because the most successful choice depends upon matching personalities.
Before you decide you should go and talk at length to your potential instructor, and preferably fly with him too. Everyone gets on better with some people than others. (I am not sure but I do not think that there are any female instructor instructors yet)
The course is/should be very intense. I would strongly recommend that you try and do your course with another student instructor. Working as a pair with the instructor gives more opportunities to do "mutual" briefing and flying. It can also avoid some of the artificiality of pretending to "teach" a flying guru to fly.
Finally, you are more likely to get that elusive opportunity to instruct at a school that has solid links with the person who taught you to instruct. He will know you by the end of the course quite well, and be able to advise potenial employers how you are likely to turn out as an instructor.
Good luck, and above all ENJOY IT.
Who you choose is key - others have mentioned some of the more obvious names. I would recommend most of those explicitly or implicitly ID'd by previous threads, except perhaps one of them. Even in a rumour network there comes a point where you have to make your own personal choice, because the most successful choice depends upon matching personalities.
Before you decide you should go and talk at length to your potential instructor, and preferably fly with him too. Everyone gets on better with some people than others. (I am not sure but I do not think that there are any female instructor instructors yet)
The course is/should be very intense. I would strongly recommend that you try and do your course with another student instructor. Working as a pair with the instructor gives more opportunities to do "mutual" briefing and flying. It can also avoid some of the artificiality of pretending to "teach" a flying guru to fly.
Finally, you are more likely to get that elusive opportunity to instruct at a school that has solid links with the person who taught you to instruct. He will know you by the end of the course quite well, and be able to advise potenial employers how you are likely to turn out as an instructor.
Good luck, and above all ENJOY IT.
The Original Whirly
Join Date: Feb 1999
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Many many thanks everyone. I'm just back from Farnborough after two PPRuNe-less days (but lots of useful helicopter-related discussions), and it was great to find so many recommendations on my return. Two or three names keep coming up again and again, both on and off PPRuNe, and I should probably go to one of them. But...
The school I've done most of my recent flying with may be starting instructors courses soon. I get on really well with the chief instructor. I did my CPL flying with him, and although I found it hard, he was never a part of the problem. Should I cross the country to go to someone with oodles of experience and a great reputation, but who I've never met? Or stick with someone I know and get on with, but possibly be their first student on this particular course? And to what extent will my decision affect future employment prospects? You might want to bear in mind I'm hoping to stick with my current writing work and just instruct/fly part-time, ideally anyway (one can dream). All comments and opinions most gratefully received, and yes, I THINK I can separate the wheat from the chaff - been reading this forum long enough to have a rough idea of who's who, and who just walked in from nowhere, if you follow me.
misterbonkers, if you knew me better, you'd know I qualify on all three counts - (a), (b), and (c)
The school I've done most of my recent flying with may be starting instructors courses soon. I get on really well with the chief instructor. I did my CPL flying with him, and although I found it hard, he was never a part of the problem. Should I cross the country to go to someone with oodles of experience and a great reputation, but who I've never met? Or stick with someone I know and get on with, but possibly be their first student on this particular course? And to what extent will my decision affect future employment prospects? You might want to bear in mind I'm hoping to stick with my current writing work and just instruct/fly part-time, ideally anyway (one can dream). All comments and opinions most gratefully received, and yes, I THINK I can separate the wheat from the chaff - been reading this forum long enough to have a rough idea of who's who, and who just walked in from nowhere, if you follow me.
misterbonkers, if you knew me better, you'd know I qualify on all three counts - (a), (b), and (c)
whirly! glad to hear you qualified on a), b), c)!
You will probably find that the school seeking the approval will use an instructor qualified to do the course. There are few of these around so names mentioned by myself and others may be involved working freelance for the school.
I'm writing an AFIC course for the school where I fly at the mo and we plan to use one of guys previously mentioned.
So it would seem, chances are, you won't be the chaps first, and if you are, get them to teach you at a reduced rate!
You will probably find that the school seeking the approval will use an instructor qualified to do the course. There are few of these around so names mentioned by myself and others may be involved working freelance for the school.
I'm writing an AFIC course for the school where I fly at the mo and we plan to use one of guys previously mentioned.
So it would seem, chances are, you won't be the chaps first, and if you are, get them to teach you at a reduced rate!
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Whirly
Your money/your choice but I wouldn't want to be someone's first or almost first student. I don't think there's any substitute for experience.
In the Seminar thread, a number of people talked in complimentary terms about Dennis Kenyon and Quentin Smith. I don't know if Q does FI courses, but his father Mike Smith is one of the most experienced instructors in the UK. He's spent his entire career instructing, both ab initio and FI courses. I've flown with him a couple of times over the years and learned something new each time. He's a natural pilot and natural instructor.
The advantage of doing your course with someone like Mike Smith is that you'll learn much more about helicopters and instructing than just the syllabus to pass your FI course.
Obviously there are financial considerations in doing a course away from your local area. That's something only you can decide.
Also, I think DK only operates Enstrom and Hughes which may affect your choice as an R22 specialist.
Good luck whatever you decide. And I look forward to reading your bulletins when you do the course.
PS I'm not a FI, haven't instructed for years, and don't work for HeliAir or any other school.
Your money/your choice but I wouldn't want to be someone's first or almost first student. I don't think there's any substitute for experience.
In the Seminar thread, a number of people talked in complimentary terms about Dennis Kenyon and Quentin Smith. I don't know if Q does FI courses, but his father Mike Smith is one of the most experienced instructors in the UK. He's spent his entire career instructing, both ab initio and FI courses. I've flown with him a couple of times over the years and learned something new each time. He's a natural pilot and natural instructor.
The advantage of doing your course with someone like Mike Smith is that you'll learn much more about helicopters and instructing than just the syllabus to pass your FI course.
Obviously there are financial considerations in doing a course away from your local area. That's something only you can decide.
Also, I think DK only operates Enstrom and Hughes which may affect your choice as an R22 specialist.
Good luck whatever you decide. And I look forward to reading your bulletins when you do the course.
PS I'm not a FI, haven't instructed for years, and don't work for HeliAir or any other school.
Last edited by Hoverman; 25th Nov 2002 at 06:48.
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Whirly
I think you must consider doing your course where you are most likely able to respond to a work offer. Genuine offers of work are few and far between to FI(r)s especially if it's only part-time that you looking for. I know I've been there. If you'd like to discuss, e-mail me your number and I'll give you a bell
best wishes
I think you must consider doing your course where you are most likely able to respond to a work offer. Genuine offers of work are few and far between to FI(r)s especially if it's only part-time that you looking for. I know I've been there. If you'd like to discuss, e-mail me your number and I'll give you a bell
best wishes
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Whirlybird: Glenda Wild is a fine instructor - she was at Heliair for years as CFI. Now she's gone to be Nick Mason's corporate pilot - but I think she does some instruction at Oxford.
Also - another recommendation for Mike Smith at Heliair Wellesbourne. A charming, warm man with an uncanny heli sense and a great way of downloading his skills to you. Suggest you book an hour with him - you'll learn 6 hrs worth!
Also - another recommendation for Mike Smith at Heliair Wellesbourne. A charming, warm man with an uncanny heli sense and a great way of downloading his skills to you. Suggest you book an hour with him - you'll learn 6 hrs worth!
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Why the problem with Tiger's?? I've always found them to be excellent. Pete Bing does most of the FIC stuff, and I doubt you could find many more professional instructors.
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FI(H) hours question for the experts
can't seem to find the answer on the CAA website !!
Why does the FAR/AIM make things so much simpler......
anyway, question is, do the 300 hours needed to begin the JAA FI(H) course all have to be heli hours? Or is this simply total time?
thx in advance...
Why does the FAR/AIM make things so much simpler......
anyway, question is, do the 300 hours needed to begin the JAA FI(H) course all have to be heli hours? Or is this simply total time?
thx in advance...
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This may not be the full picture, but JAR-FCL2 @ 2.335 sets out the pre-requisites to include:
300 hours of flight time of which 100 hours should be PIC if holding an ATPL(H) or CPL(H) or 200 hrs PIC if holding a PPL(H).
So JAR says any flight time counts BUT the CAA are increasingly fond of ignoring the words in JAR FCL when it suits them.
In the end if there is no direct answer in the CAA's documents and website, you will have to ask them. The only alternative is if someone has recently jumped through this hoop themselves. I did my AFI(H) course some while ago.
Does Whirlybird have the latest on this one??
300 hours of flight time of which 100 hours should be PIC if holding an ATPL(H) or CPL(H) or 200 hrs PIC if holding a PPL(H).
So JAR says any flight time counts BUT the CAA are increasingly fond of ignoring the words in JAR FCL when it suits them.
In the end if there is no direct answer in the CAA's documents and website, you will have to ask them. The only alternative is if someone has recently jumped through this hoop themselves. I did my AFI(H) course some while ago.
Does Whirlybird have the latest on this one??
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thanks helinut - I just thought I was being stupid, but it does seem the wording is less than straightforward.
Interesting to see if anyone's got the definitive answer on this one.
Interesting to see if anyone's got the definitive answer on this one.
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Bad news I'm afraid. I've been asking this question for a while and have finaly got a definative answer. It is 300Hrs HELI time. I've asked for this to be justified, but no-one is willing to comment.
I have asked quite a few people at the Belgrano and now even Ron Jenkins has told me that this is the case, despite having told me different a few months ago.
I have also been told that the way the CAA is interpreting this rule is contrary to many other authorities in Europe, specifically the Germans. As it was written in such a way that each case could be taken on its merit i.e as an FI(A) I would get a dispensation of x hours. But as per usual Cash And Aggro have their own take on thisand every other rule.
I have asked quite a few people at the Belgrano and now even Ron Jenkins has told me that this is the case, despite having told me different a few months ago.
I have also been told that the way the CAA is interpreting this rule is contrary to many other authorities in Europe, specifically the Germans. As it was written in such a way that each case could be taken on its merit i.e as an FI(A) I would get a dispensation of x hours. But as per usual Cash And Aggro have their own take on thisand every other rule.
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oh dear....not what I wanted to hear.
Wouldn't it be nice if we had a level playing field?
as usual they appear to be trying their best to force people into thinking of all sorts of convoluted ways to get a licence. All involving spending money abroad rather than in the UK.
Anyone else any feedback on this?
Wouldn't it be nice if we had a level playing field?
as usual they appear to be trying their best to force people into thinking of all sorts of convoluted ways to get a licence. All involving spending money abroad rather than in the UK.
Anyone else any feedback on this?
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Why am I not surprised? They pretty much do what they like without regard for any words written down at all, and do not feel the need to tell us of any changes they make, assuming we have the power of second sight.
A lovely, if frustrating, case of power without responsibility
A lovely, if frustrating, case of power without responsibility