First VFR/IFR job-help?

[chopperpilot2006]

I'm a big fan of the forum, it seems to have lots of help for beginners like me . I have just reached 1000hrs in the states and and coming back to start my first VFR job in the UK next year . Just wondering if anyone can recommend any computer flight planning programmes to make life easier . I will have a GPS , but it is more the planning side of things . ie. which frequency to talk on and who and when to file flight plans etc. I do have a UK CPL , but I got it back in 1985 and haven't been back since . I'm sure things have changed a lot in the last 20yrs . The job involves operating from a private heliport and operating all over the UK and Ireland .
If all goes well I will be offered an single pilot IFR post the following year , so any hints or tips you could pass on would be greatly appreciated .
Thank You

[chopperpilot2006]

Thanks peachpilot , was also wondering is there anything that can be updated online containing charts , airport diagrams and info on their handling agents etc . Thanks again
ps, a young cockney lass has stolen my heart , hence the move back home

[Woolf]

Useful Stuff:

AIP (online on the ais website, see below)
AIC (see above)
Pooleys VFR Guide (or similar)
ANO (online on the CAA website, see below)
JAR Ops-3 (online on the JAA website)
Company Operations Manual


www.ais.org.uk (free but needs registration - Notams, AIP, AIC, Flight Plan Form )
www.metoffice.com/aviation (again free but needs registration - free weather info)
www.caa.co.uk (especially in the Publications Section - ANO, FODCOMS, GASIL, MOR Scheme, ...)
www.jaa.nl (JAR-FCL2 and JAR-OPS3)


And best of all, talk to (hopefully competent) pilots with experience in the area. I find that most people are very willing to share information. Also don't be afraid to call ATC on the phone and ask them to explain local procedures' they are really quite friendly people ....