Converting CPL(A) to CPL (H) in 50hrs??
Guest
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Do you mean as Captain? Speaking as a convertee (CPLA & ATPLH, QFI & QHI) I wouldn't allow my wife & kids to fly as a pax with such a low-timer. In my book, with 50 hours rotary any pilot will be about half safe, day VMC only or perhaps slightly less on a simple type. He would be very unlikely to have seen all of situations he needs to know about. The main worry of course, is that helicopters do not usually operate from nice big runways...
The britmil basic course (single turbine engined aircraft) was about 110 hours in my day and all pilots were previously jet fixed wing qualified. Subsequent conversion to twins was then 35 hrs and to a different operational type on an OCU was another 50 - 60 hours. Even then, pilots were then limited in what they were allowed to do until "combat ready" - a minimum of 6 mths later).
But then, it's only my opinion! I am sure that there are those who know much better and are far better pilot material than the British Forces ever have been. Their posts will follow shortly....
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Fly safe!
The britmil basic course (single turbine engined aircraft) was about 110 hours in my day and all pilots were previously jet fixed wing qualified. Subsequent conversion to twins was then 35 hrs and to a different operational type on an OCU was another 50 - 60 hours. Even then, pilots were then limited in what they were allowed to do until "combat ready" - a minimum of 6 mths later).
But then, it's only my opinion! I am sure that there are those who know much better and are far better pilot material than the British Forces ever have been. Their posts will follow shortly....
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Fly safe!
Guest
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Thanks, I'm an Aussie fixed wing pilot who has been wanting to go to the US to get CPL(H) and CFI etc to instruct. Just wondering if a pilot with lots of fixed wing time would be able to pickup rotary flying to a decent standard to be able to instruct, or do some casual commercial flights.
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Statistically to both questions : NO ! On rare occasions people do, but I wouldn’t call it safe for commercial flying.
Usually insurance companies want hours in helicopters, so that renders you useless in a commercial sense, even if
you’re an ATPL(A) with 10.000 hours on a 747. Another consideration is habits ( good or bad ! ). Example :
Low rotor rpm horn (helicopters ), bring nose aft ! Low airspeed ( stall horn airplanes ), push nose down !
Very basic problem (habit-wise), and killed a couple of ATPL’s in the US, who bought a R22 just for fun.
Anyhow, main problem would be insurance, since to instruct you would need 150 hours+ in a helicopter.
Usually insurance companies want hours in helicopters, so that renders you useless in a commercial sense, even if
you’re an ATPL(A) with 10.000 hours on a 747. Another consideration is habits ( good or bad ! ). Example :
Low rotor rpm horn (helicopters ), bring nose aft ! Low airspeed ( stall horn airplanes ), push nose down !
Very basic problem (habit-wise), and killed a couple of ATPL’s in the US, who bought a R22 just for fun.
Anyhow, main problem would be insurance, since to instruct you would need 150 hours+ in a helicopter.
Guest
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Elvis,
Why consider going to the States???? Because it's cheaper??
That it may be, but I must remind you: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!
I should remind you that helicopters will kill you if you don't respect them. Going for the cheapest option in training doesn't exactly put you at the head of the queue as far as employment in Oz goes.
THINK ABOUT IT
Why consider going to the States???? Because it's cheaper??
That it may be, but I must remind you: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!
I should remind you that helicopters will kill you if you don't respect them. Going for the cheapest option in training doesn't exactly put you at the head of the queue as far as employment in Oz goes.
THINK ABOUT IT
Guest
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Elvis,
Without doubt it can be done and I feel that all aircrew should see both sides, but as has already been said,when a reaction to a problem has become natural instinct, requiring to do the opposite can be very hard. I have seen in first hand! But, get in a rotary because you really do not know what you are missing. Truly great fun. Good luck.
Without doubt it can be done and I feel that all aircrew should see both sides, but as has already been said,when a reaction to a problem has become natural instinct, requiring to do the opposite can be very hard. I have seen in first hand! But, get in a rotary because you really do not know what you are missing. Truly great fun. Good luck.
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I just finished converting a UK CAA CPL(A)to a CPL(H)in december, and although I had about 850 hours fixed wing time, I found helicopter flying very different compared to fixed wing. The conversion course called for 100 hours, followed by the GFT. I did it all in 108 hours and at the emd of the day, I think that I was good enough to just pass the course. I found helicopter flying difficult compared to fixed wing, and was nowhere close to being ready for commercial work after 50 hours!
If you do come from a fixed wing back ground, certain things will be helpful to your conversion to helicopter flying, like airmanship, R/T, flying circuits, etc., but with regards to helicopter operating procedures, I found that having a fixed wing back ground actually made it worse! Sure confused the heck out of me at certain times!
anyways, good luck with the transition and one thing is for sure, you will have a lot of fun!
RS
If you do come from a fixed wing back ground, certain things will be helpful to your conversion to helicopter flying, like airmanship, R/T, flying circuits, etc., but with regards to helicopter operating procedures, I found that having a fixed wing back ground actually made it worse! Sure confused the heck out of me at certain times!
anyways, good luck with the transition and one thing is for sure, you will have a lot of fun!
RS
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Thanks folks, especially Red Silk. I wanted to go to the US because I've lived over there before my aviation life and would like to go back on a working holiday. Also would find it easier to get casual fixed wing charter to supplement instructing. Which country has the 150hr insurance requirement?
