UK helicopter schools (Merged)
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Rotorvation
Hi there,
I used to fly with Rotorvation a few years ago, and agree with the above posters. Richard Woods has a hangar in his back garden and runs the school from there and as others have said, he keeps his aircraft in great condition. He uses experienced instructors probably because he feels safer letting his own aircraft go out with them, and I suppose I would too...
The location is very convenient when you want to take a friend down the heli routes and is close to Rochester airport. At the time, the prices were good too, so a worth a call to Richard. The only down side is that you have to pop over to Rochester to do airfield work such as autos/ quickstops.
Also a school i'd recommend is London helicopter centres at Redhill.
Fay
I used to fly with Rotorvation a few years ago, and agree with the above posters. Richard Woods has a hangar in his back garden and runs the school from there and as others have said, he keeps his aircraft in great condition. He uses experienced instructors probably because he feels safer letting his own aircraft go out with them, and I suppose I would too...
The location is very convenient when you want to take a friend down the heli routes and is close to Rochester airport. At the time, the prices were good too, so a worth a call to Richard. The only down side is that you have to pop over to Rochester to do airfield work such as autos/ quickstops.
Also a school i'd recommend is London helicopter centres at Redhill.
Fay
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Also a school i'd recommend is London helicopter centres at Redhill.
Fay, sounds like we may have crossed paths..?
Better red than ...
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Appleby-in-Westmorland Cumbria England
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You would need to start/finish at a licensed airfield (I was going to say 'licensed premises' but this may have been mis-interpreted) so unless the facility of R is licensed, either Rochester or AN Other licensed airfield/ helifacility.
h-r
h-r
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Rochester is the preferred start/stop location for training as it is so close. LPCs are also carried out there from Rotorvation. Redhill is used for a combination of circuits / EOLs / sloping ground / confined area ops etc. but is a slightly longer hop past Biggin and across the North Downs.
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I was talking to an ATCO the other day, and he mentioned that the licensed field requirements have now gone for PPL training. It was just casual conversation, so I didn't get a reference or check it out, but It's worth a bit of research. The Rotorvation people will probably know since it affects them.
I don't know whether it's worth considering, but there's a new school at Damyns Hall that might be quite convenient for you. I have no knowledge of them so can't recommend them, but might be worth a look.
I don't know whether it's worth considering, but there's a new school at Damyns Hall that might be quite convenient for you. I have no knowledge of them so can't recommend them, but might be worth a look.
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I also did my PPL with Rotorvation and was completely happy with the training, My main instructor was called Pete Driver and I am not sure if he still works there but was very thorough.
I would agree with previois posters and get a few lessons before fully committing.
Good Luck - Duncan
I would agree with previois posters and get a few lessons before fully committing.
Good Luck - Duncan
Join Date: Dec 2001
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007 - yes, Peter is still doing some work there although another QHI is doing the majority of the PPL training now, mainly due to Peter's other work commitments as I understand it.
The comments about changes to requirements for licensed locations are interesting. Anyone know any more?
The comments about changes to requirements for licensed locations are interesting. Anyone know any more?
One of Rotorvation's FIs is a very experienced instructor, formerly of Bristow's FTS in its Redhill days. He also instructs commercial students for another nearby company, whose CFI is another ex-Bristow pilot and instructor. I believe there is yet another ex BHL line pilot who instructs for both these organisations.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Abingdon uk
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OATS Heli Training
I understand from talking to OATS that Heli training at Oxford was stopped at Oxford as no suitably experienced replacement could be found !
No new school has opened as they are reserving the right to open again if a candidate appears - if this fails to happen they may allow another training organisation in.
Seems like there could be a job opportunity for a good CFI
Please note I have no commercial link with OATS - I was told the above when looking at basing a Heli there.
No new school has opened as they are reserving the right to open again if a candidate appears - if this fails to happen they may allow another training organisation in.
Seems like there could be a job opportunity for a good CFI
Please note I have no commercial link with OATS - I was told the above when looking at basing a Heli there.
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Helicentre aviation, Coventry...
Hi All,
I'm considering a career change from a Physiotherapist to a commercial helicopter pilot as the NHS is in such a bad way and i would be fulfilling a life long dream.
Have spoken to several schools around the UK that have provided an insight into the industry etc etc. I attended a "career seminar" at Helicentre aviation, Coventry airport on saturday, aimed at people like myself. As this is a school based at a relatively busy airport and is close to me, chances are they'll get my business. However, just wondered if anyone out there has had any prior dealings/training with them or is aware of their reputation within the industry?
Any info would be great!
Cheers
Dave
I'm considering a career change from a Physiotherapist to a commercial helicopter pilot as the NHS is in such a bad way and i would be fulfilling a life long dream.
Have spoken to several schools around the UK that have provided an insight into the industry etc etc. I attended a "career seminar" at Helicentre aviation, Coventry airport on saturday, aimed at people like myself. As this is a school based at a relatively busy airport and is close to me, chances are they'll get my business. However, just wondered if anyone out there has had any prior dealings/training with them or is aware of their reputation within the industry?
Any info would be great!
Cheers
Dave
Last edited by DaveU; 29th Nov 2007 at 12:32.
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Dave,
first of all: I know no flightschool in the UK beside some websites i visited but (and therefore my post is not at all directed at the school you mentioned):
A flightschool in the end is a business, right? What is the aim of a business? Exactly. Who is bringing the money? Fine....so we do know what we are talking about.
Please have a look at the search function of this forum and take your time to read through the various (almost countless) number of threads covering this theme ('....if you do the license with us we do our utmost to get you into a job.....' ah, and some do not even mention it might be a job where you do not even need a license).
I was not promised anything at the school i did my license with but first of all it was ppl and at the same time i did not expect anything else besides receiving instruction worth the money and time and this i got.
Rgds,
Ready2Fly
first of all: I know no flightschool in the UK beside some websites i visited but (and therefore my post is not at all directed at the school you mentioned):
A flightschool in the end is a business, right? What is the aim of a business? Exactly. Who is bringing the money? Fine....so we do know what we are talking about.
Please have a look at the search function of this forum and take your time to read through the various (almost countless) number of threads covering this theme ('....if you do the license with us we do our utmost to get you into a job.....' ah, and some do not even mention it might be a job where you do not even need a license).
I was not promised anything at the school i did my license with but first of all it was ppl and at the same time i did not expect anything else besides receiving instruction worth the money and time and this i got.
Rgds,
Ready2Fly
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Thanks for this Ready2Fly - As stated in initial post, if anyone has had any experience with the aforementioned school, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Dave
Cheers
Dave
Join Date: Oct 2010
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Intensive PPL(H) in UK?
Hi guys, I'm new on here, so sorry if this is in the wrong place! I'm thinking of taking the plunge into commercial rotary-wing flying, but I'm looking to get my PPL(H) first. I posted this here rather than the wannabes section as it's not really concerning proffessional training.
I've decided I want to get my PPL(H), and have seen some "intensive" courses advertised over in the USA, which incorporate all the practical and ground school elements of PPL(H) training and allow you to achieve the qualification in under a month (some are quoting 21 days). I wondered if there was anything like that over here in the UK that anyone was aware of, as I've been trawling through flight school websites for days and haven't found anything.
I'm based near Newcastle, but would be willing to travel anywhere in the UK. I've been for a trial lesson at my local FTO (Northumbria Helicopters) and while I liked the look and of the place and the instructors, they seemed used to training people over a period of months up to a full year for a PPL(H), and not the more intensive route I was looking at.
Any help will be greatly appreciated!
I've decided I want to get my PPL(H), and have seen some "intensive" courses advertised over in the USA, which incorporate all the practical and ground school elements of PPL(H) training and allow you to achieve the qualification in under a month (some are quoting 21 days). I wondered if there was anything like that over here in the UK that anyone was aware of, as I've been trawling through flight school websites for days and haven't found anything.
I'm based near Newcastle, but would be willing to travel anywhere in the UK. I've been for a trial lesson at my local FTO (Northumbria Helicopters) and while I liked the look and of the place and the instructors, they seemed used to training people over a period of months up to a full year for a PPL(H), and not the more intensive route I was looking at.
Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Have you asked them if they will do an intensive course for you ?
Dennis Kenyon used to do this, don't know if he still does.
It would not be a major issue to put together a training plan to get this done quickly the only embuggerance usually is the weather, which in the coming months can be interesting, although you are certain to find to some clear skies amongst them.
Dennis Kenyon used to do this, don't know if he still does.
It would not be a major issue to put together a training plan to get this done quickly the only embuggerance usually is the weather, which in the coming months can be interesting, although you are certain to find to some clear skies amongst them.
Last edited by VeeAny; 23rd Oct 2010 at 15:07.
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VeeAny, thanks for the reply. I'll ask the guys at Northumbria and see what they say, but I am aware that I've picked a difficult time of year to be starting out, from a metorological point of view.