What is the standard price usually for a PPL(H)?
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Kiwi but I'm not an instructor. Yet! However, Whirlybird is!!!!
55-60-70 is more like it especially as, how can I put this, one gets older!!! I was 38 when I got my PPL(H) in just under 70 hours. And that is not uncommon in my experience.
Sorry, better get saving. It was a bit disingenuous of your local school to quote minimum hours as being the norm.
Cheers
Whirls
55-60-70 is more like it especially as, how can I put this, one gets older!!! I was 38 when I got my PPL(H) in just under 70 hours. And that is not uncommon in my experience.
Sorry, better get saving. It was a bit disingenuous of your local school to quote minimum hours as being the norm.
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Here.
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ahem...........might have to check it out with them ,maybe I got the wrong end of the runway, sorry, I mean stick!
So thats 70 x £250 = £17,500..............WOW!
Do you find many people that star their PPL(H) then for what ever reason don't complete the course?
So thats 70 x £250 = £17,500..............WOW!
Do you find many people that star their PPL(H) then for what ever reason don't complete the course?
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: BERKSHIRE
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PPLH
I did mine at Denham in 2005; on R22.
Cost with discount £180 an hour. if you buy 20 hour blocks.
I have a BCPL QFI ( now worthless, Thanks *&^% CAA
) although flying fixed for 25 years took 50 hours for PPLH. Pretty average due to weather time and competence etc.
It's alot cheaper than R44 and you only need a 4 hour converstion to the
R44 once you have your Licence.
Cost with discount £180 an hour. if you buy 20 hour blocks.
I have a BCPL QFI ( now worthless, Thanks *&^% CAA
) although flying fixed for 25 years took 50 hours for PPLH. Pretty average due to weather time and competence etc.It's alot cheaper than R44 and you only need a 4 hour converstion to the
R44 once you have your Licence.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Here.
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why do most people take a PPL(H)?
1 Is it because they always had a boyhood dream of piloting a Helicopter?
2 Is it so they can make a career flying Helicopters?
3 Or is it that they have more money than they no what to do with and use it as a status symbol to say they can fly Helicopters?
For me its number 1 but its obviously not going to be cheap and i'm having trouble at the moment trying to justify the cost............but I don't drink, don't smoke and don't have a family so THAT'S my justification!
1 Is it because they always had a boyhood dream of piloting a Helicopter?
2 Is it so they can make a career flying Helicopters?
3 Or is it that they have more money than they no what to do with and use it as a status symbol to say they can fly Helicopters?
For me its number 1 but its obviously not going to be cheap and i'm having trouble at the moment trying to justify the cost............but I don't drink, don't smoke and don't have a family so THAT'S my justification!
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
People's motives can be varied but your three scenarios probably represent a reasonable spread!
I know, because I did it, if you want something badly enough, you'll find the money!
However, in the long run it would be cheaper to save and learn to fly full time rather than just do, say, an hour a week.
You also need to consider the costs of maintaining the licence and what you want to do with it once you've got it. I have no idea about drop out during a PPL(H) but post-licence, I believe it is quite a high percentage.
Cheers
Whirls
I know, because I did it, if you want something badly enough, you'll find the money!
However, in the long run it would be cheaper to save and learn to fly full time rather than just do, say, an hour a week.
You also need to consider the costs of maintaining the licence and what you want to do with it once you've got it. I have no idea about drop out during a PPL(H) but post-licence, I believe it is quite a high percentage.
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Here.
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
According to General Aviation magazine 70% of people who passed their PPL, not sure if this includes the PPL(H), in 2000 did not maintain their licence after year 5, thats a massive drop out!
Having said that, I suppose some people just want to have the satisfaction of passing their PPL(H), gaining their licence and then they'll move onto their next ambition.
Having said that, I suppose some people just want to have the satisfaction of passing their PPL(H), gaining their licence and then they'll move onto their next ambition.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Here.
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As regards safety whilst training what are peoples thoughts regarding wearing a Nomex fire proof flight suit bearing in mind it could save ones life if in difficulty...........is this something that a Flying School and other students and pilots would encourage or just laugh at?
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Safety is always paramount in flying but ..... in all honesty ... as a trainee PPL in a nomex flying suit, you'd be laughed at. Maybe not to your face but definitely behind your back!!! 
Wear clothing that covers your limbs and avoid man-made fibres. I cannot think of any incident involving a serious fire and trainee.
Cheers
Whirls
Wear clothing that covers your limbs and avoid man-made fibres. I cannot think of any incident involving a serious fire and trainee.
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Here.
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh thats good to know, so sorry to put a downer on the conversation but what about newly qualified pilots, is there a high number of accidents relating to 'new" pilots or is that not really the case?
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Australia
Age: 51
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hahaha, I have to agree with Whirls here!!
I wear one for my job and I get enough stick about it - so unless you've got really broad shoulders (which you will have soon from all the hovering practice and slope landings you're about to do...) - I would stick with civvy clothes!
Another thing too is that - over here anyway - it got REALLY bloody hot in that bubble after an hours' intense lesson and you hop out completely drenched - I even gave up on the limb-covering clothes and wore cotton shorts & singlet.
(As you can imagine, it looked really hot and sexy with my steel-capped boots... )
Hope this helps!
I wear one for my job and I get enough stick about it - so unless you've got really broad shoulders (which you will have soon from all the hovering practice and slope landings you're about to do...) - I would stick with civvy clothes!
Another thing too is that - over here anyway - it got REALLY bloody hot in that bubble after an hours' intense lesson and you hop out completely drenched - I even gave up on the limb-covering clothes and wore cotton shorts & singlet.
(As you can imagine, it looked really hot and sexy with my steel-capped boots...
)Hope this helps!
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...shoes+footwear
And if you really want to start some controversies, ask about gloves!!!!!
Cheers
Whirls
And if you really want to start some controversies, ask about gloves!!!!!
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Wales
Age: 38
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i gwt my training in a cessna 152 for £90 per dual hour inclusive of all fees. so i guess thats really good?
I got my PPL(A) in an (in)famous place in the US during 2004 for the grand total of approx £4400, including return flights, accomodation and admittedly limited 'holiday' money while I was there.At the time I thought it was expensive... though at the time I'd never been in a helicopter!
Thinking about it now though, I'd want that much now to get me sat me in a couple of those Cessnas for 45 hours again
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Here.
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whirlygig, this is all very interesting because if you go to the thread called 'Helicopter down in Yarra River........' they are suggesting wearing both a flightsiut and helmet whilst flying any aircraft, training or not!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Australia
Age: 51
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your shoes question?
I wore hard boots sometimes, but I find you need to "feel" the pedals under your feet for those fine-tuned movements you need to make - if you've hovered for more than a minute without covering an entire football field, you'll know what I mean!
Autorotations however? The heavier the right foot, the better...
Just experiment and you'll find something you're comfortable with.
Helmets? 50/50 here where I trained. I guess safety is paramount, but if your blade flies off, I'm not sure that a helmet is going to make much difference...
(runs for the door....)
What do you more experiences fellas and fellesses think? If I was working a helo, especially low level stuff, I'd buy a helmet for sure.
I wore hard boots sometimes, but I find you need to "feel" the pedals under your feet for those fine-tuned movements you need to make - if you've hovered for more than a minute without covering an entire football field, you'll know what I mean!
Autorotations however? The heavier the right foot, the better...
Just experiment and you'll find something you're comfortable with.
Helmets? 50/50 here where I trained. I guess safety is paramount, but if your blade flies off, I'm not sure that a helmet is going to make much difference...
(runs for the door....)
What do you more experiences fellas and fellesses think? If I was working a helo, especially low level stuff, I'd buy a helmet for sure.
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: somewhere
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
to helmet or not to helmet.. this is the question
i have worked/still do in tourism flying helicopters alongside a pilot who always wore a helmet on a tourist flight and he continually got asked - why are you wearing a helment? is this dangerous? where is my helmet??
i wear a helmet all the time when flying "commercial" work, such as low level, surveys, filming, on fires etc. (personally i always were flight suit and gloves no matter what the flying is)
when it comes to shoes, at the moment where i am working it is a requierment to wear boots nearly 20cm above the ankle, full leather, lace up fire standards.. they get VERY hot and uncomfortable but the reality is that when S*&T hits the fan you would be happy to be very hot in those boots, helmet, suit and gloves...
i will give this advice to people starting out... no matter how much pressure your instructor puts you under - just make sure you are in cotton clothing and enclosed shoes that wont burn!!!!!!!!! get used to wearing it now you will be thankfull one day!!!
i wear a helmet all the time when flying "commercial" work, such as low level, surveys, filming, on fires etc. (personally i always were flight suit and gloves no matter what the flying is)
when it comes to shoes, at the moment where i am working it is a requierment to wear boots nearly 20cm above the ankle, full leather, lace up fire standards.. they get VERY hot and uncomfortable but the reality is that when S*&T hits the fan you would be happy to be very hot in those boots, helmet, suit and gloves...
i will give this advice to people starting out... no matter how much pressure your instructor puts you under - just make sure you are in cotton clothing and enclosed shoes that wont burn!!!!!!!!!
get used to wearing it now you will be thankfull one day!!!
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
this is all very interesting because if you go to the thread called 'Helicopter down in Yarra River........' they are suggesting wearing both a flightsiut and helmet whilst flying any aircraft, training or not!
If you'd feel more comfortable in a Nomex flying suit whilst you're learning to hover, then that's fine - I'm just warning you of the reaction you'll get!
Cheers
Whirls
The Original Whirly
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Posts: 4,326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On hours to PPL(H)....
Almost no-one does it in 45 hours. That is a LEGAL minimum, ie if you're a natural pilot, learning on an intensive course, who has a CPL(A), has been a passenger who's handled the controls many times in a helicopter, has flown radio-controlled models, and drives a JCB or forklift truck for a living (coordination is similar) the CAA won't make you do more than 45 hours!
The national average is 60-70, I think. Haing said that, I do know one or two schools who try to push people through in 45. A few make it, but I personally know of two who did who felt they were rushed and didn't learn enough. I also know an instructor who thinks the legal minimum should be increased to 70 hours, for safety. Budget for 60, and if you do it in less...well, you want to fly after getting your licence, don't you?
On clothing...
It's down to personal choice and relative risk. I don't wear a nomex suit in my car, and I don't in my helicopter. However, if I was flying commercially low level all day, I might think about some kind of protection. But that's me. If you'd rather have extra safety when learning to hover, don't worry who laughs at you. But make sure you're comfortable, whatever you wear, as learning to fly is hard work.
Have fun.
Almost no-one does it in 45 hours. That is a LEGAL minimum, ie if you're a natural pilot, learning on an intensive course, who has a CPL(A), has been a passenger who's handled the controls many times in a helicopter, has flown radio-controlled models, and drives a JCB or forklift truck for a living (coordination is similar) the CAA won't make you do more than 45 hours!
The national average is 60-70, I think. Haing said that, I do know one or two schools who try to push people through in 45. A few make it, but I personally know of two who did who felt they were rushed and didn't learn enough. I also know an instructor who thinks the legal minimum should be increased to 70 hours, for safety. Budget for 60, and if you do it in less...well, you want to fly after getting your licence, don't you?
On clothing...
It's down to personal choice and relative risk. I don't wear a nomex suit in my car, and I don't in my helicopter. However, if I was flying commercially low level all day, I might think about some kind of protection. But that's me. If you'd rather have extra safety when learning to hover, don't worry who laughs at you. But make sure you're comfortable, whatever you wear, as learning to fly is hard work.
Have fun.
