PPL(A) to PPL(H) ??

[Kengineer-130]

Hey guys, I gained my PPL (A) last year, and I was just wondering how much flying time and ground school is allowed to be transferred t a PPL (H), as I quite fancy doing my helicopter licence as it looks like cracking fun , also , how much is it going to cost approximatly, as I know they are more expensive than light aircraft to operate. Can anyone reccomend any schools around the birmingham/midlands area cheers guys

[muffin]

I did the same thing just before JAR came in but I don't think that the regs have changed that much. I was allowed 5 hours off the rotary PPL course and the only extra exam I had to do was the helicopter tech one. Budget around £10k for the whole thing, and don't do what I did and assume you will complete it in the minimum hours - very few do.

There are rotary training schools at Coventry, Wolverhampton, Shobdon. East Mids, Nottingham, Wellesbourne, Tatenhill to name but a few. Depends which side of Bham you live. You will enjoy it!

[mongoose237]

You get credited with 10% of your fixed-wing PIC time, up to a maximum of 6 hours (so absolute minimum is 39 hours). You must also sit 1. Aircraft General & Principles of Flight, and 2. Flight Performance & Planning. You must do a minimum of 20 hours Dual.

Certain examiners also deem it unnecessary to undertake the solo x-country qualifier, however I have not seen that written down anywhere. I would suggest checking with the CAA.

I have trained a few fixed-wing converts in various helicopters, professional pilots and high-time recreational flyers. Although they managed it in minimum time it was a squeeze, and they all felt that it was considerably harder (but also more rewarding) than learning fixed-wing.

Costs depend on type, ballpark figures are £200-230 R22, £230-270 H269, £350ish R44 (all ex VAT)

[Hangar3]

For legal requirements check LASORS 2006 (www.caa.co.uk) download. For training a JAA PPL(H) with a JAA PPL(A):

Flight training credits:
10% total time (Fixed Wing) or a maximum of 6 hours (leaving you with 39 to complete the licence)

Ground Exams Credits
All you need to take are:
Aircraft General / Principle of Flight (Helicopters)
Flight Performance & Planning

These are the minimum regs.

[rudestuff]

Don't expect fixed wing flying to help you out much when it comes to hleicopters - completely different, although general air experience, rules and regs, nav, met etc will help. Its going to be very expensive - if you get a month off it would be cheaper to go to the US - about half the price. You might be able to do a JAA PPL(H) there but I wouldn't bother - get an FAA one (JAA is restricted to type but FAA lets you fly anything under 12,500lbs)
Cheaper to get (FAA has no license issue fees), cheaper to maintain (fly with a CFI every 24months and you're good to go) and its perfectly valid in the UK.

[mongoose237]

If you take the route rudestuff suggests, may I suggest you first visit the schools you will be wanting to hire from on your return to the UK.

Many schools are unaware of the finer points of licence recognition and in any event are within their rights to impose any number of restrictions before hiring you an aircraft.

Some schools are very good about it, others not so. The cost of either:
1. Travelling to a FAA friendly school everytime you want to fly; or
2. Complying with the schools requirements
may make the cost savings somewhat less.

Also even though you would be within your rights to fly in the UK on your fresh FAA licence, whether you feel comfortable doing so may be another matter entirely! Airspace and procedure is considerably different

Edit

Actually, you already have fixed-wing experience in the UK so that negates my last comment to a large degree

[Gerhardt]

I loved flying the 150 and PA-28 x-c and got together with friends at least once a week to go somewhere, anywhere. Also made quite a few solo x-c flights just to see the country. I'm not sure why but one day a few months ago I thought it would be fun to take an intro ride in an R22. I've flown just a few hours fixed wing since, and am about to take my checkride for the helicopter add-on rating. Like the others said, it is expensive. But worth every dime. I suspect that the whirly girls will second that.

The only advice I can offer is to find an instructor you're comfortable with. You'll know pretty quickly if he/she isn't right for you and don't be shy about changing.

Don't think about the amount of money you're spending while training. It's an obscene amount, but worth every dime.

[Kengineer-130]

cheers for the info guys. I did my PPL (A) in the states, so I have experience of the uk and the US , with regards to the FAA/JAA licence, is there any difference in the training and cost, or is it a fairly similar sylabus, as I would really prefer the JAA licence as I will spend most time in europe and it will probably make life easier regarding hiring aircraft etc. Just out of interest are there many JAA US schools around?

I was reading somewhere that if you want to go commercial, you can skip the PPL and just do the commercial training instead? don't knnow how true this is but sounds a bit bizzare to me?

[mongoose237]

I was reading somewhere that if you want to go commercial, you can skip the PPL and just do the commercial training instead? don't knnow how true this is but sounds a bit bizzare to me?

The integrated routes (there are two) train ab initio. Most people take the modular route, which requires an ICAO PPL(H) beforehand.

I recommend downloading LASORS 2006 as it will answer most of your licencing questions