GA helicopters.
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I am starting to do my CPL for several reasons...
First as I have not done a lot of flying these last years (though I am in the process of addressing that), I find the training very helpful in keeping not just proficient, but focused on flying and some of the more tedious parts of theory one would not normally keep current on after you get your ppl, and to be in a situation with interaction with professional pilots to learn from their (sage) advice.
As a renter having a commercial license helps with certain insurance problems, from what aircraft you can hire, particularly turbines, limits on what you can do (the whole reason I got my helicopter license was so that I did not have to land on a 10,000' runway) and hopefully if/when I buy to reduce my insurance premiums.
Oh, and I also want to wear those fancy gold bars on my polo shirt
First as I have not done a lot of flying these last years (though I am in the process of addressing that), I find the training very helpful in keeping not just proficient, but focused on flying and some of the more tedious parts of theory one would not normally keep current on after you get your ppl, and to be in a situation with interaction with professional pilots to learn from their (sage) advice.
As a renter having a commercial license helps with certain insurance problems, from what aircraft you can hire, particularly turbines, limits on what you can do (the whole reason I got my helicopter license was so that I did not have to land on a 10,000' runway) and hopefully if/when I buy to reduce my insurance premiums.
Oh, and I also want to wear those fancy gold bars on my polo shirt
I'm not implying; you're inferring...
, still don't really get the distinction though 
: I think I'll stick to the flying..."Infer –verb (used with object) 1. to derive by reasoning; conclude or judge from premises or evidence: They inferred his displeasure from his cool tone of voice.
2. (of facts, circumstances, statements, etc.) to indicate or involve as a conclusion; lead to.
3. to guess; speculate; surmise.
4. to hint; imply; suggest."
"Imply –verb (used with object), -plied, -ply⋅ing. 1. to indicate or suggest without being explicitly stated: His words implied a lack of faith.
2. (of words) to signify or mean.
3. to involve as a necessary circumstance: Speech implies a speaker.
4. Obsolete. to enfold."
The irony of my last post was obviously lost on ShyTorque. I'm not a real flying ace; i wouldn't be so hungry to learn if I was that arrogant. Trans Lift's got me thinking though - I'm going to make enquiries about a CPL course (time and money permitting...); I'd like some Gold bars too
TTB
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If I imply something, it means I am making a suggestion.
If I infer something, it means I interpret a suggestion from something said by you which may or may not be the correct interpretation.
Does that help?
Cheers
Whirls
If I infer something, it means I interpret a suggestion from something said by you which may or may not be the correct interpretation.
Does that help?
Cheers
Whirls
Last edited by Whirlygig; 2nd Oct 2009 at 12:51. Reason: Typo caused by absence of reading spectacles
Well, I'm not ashamed to admit I've learned something today. I'm not stupid, but at almost 50 years old, I hadn't realised that to infer meant to interpret a suggestion; I always thought to infer was to make a suggestion . A fairly fundamental distinction that would explain my confusion. So you don't just learn about helis on PPRuNe
Thank you Whirls!
. A fairly fundamental distinction that would explain my confusion. So you don't just learn about helis on PPRuNe Thank you Whirls!
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As I understand it, provided you have a valid night rating and have successfully applied to have the restriction of being in sight of the surface lifted then you may legally fly VFR on top, day or night. Always provided that you ascended in the clear and that it is clear at your destination.
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What about being above 1 isolated small cloud and clearly in sight of the surface?
Moon off to the left, one could off to the right and below, shadow on cloud but clear of cloud, in sight of surface
What about.... or am I now obsessing????
Moon off to the left, one could off to the right and below, shadow on cloud but clear of cloud, in sight of surface
What about.... or am I now obsessing????
Avoid imitations
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The irony of my last post was obviously lost on ShyTorque. I'm not a real flying ace;
Perhaps the irony of MY post was lost on yourself. I tried to avoid the use of this smilie
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CPL(H) and private flying
Heh - I hold a CPL, and an FI rating to boot.
As you probably guessed, I'm not flying professionally - my day job just got a lot more rewarding, and now I only fly for fun, which isn't a bad way to be.
I enjoyed the CPL - the extra theory stretched me, and the instruction wasn't wasted either.
The FI stretched me even further - to the limit of my flying skills, and I haven't had the opportunity to do anything beyond trial lessons with actual students. Although they and I very much enjoyed doing this, I can't see myself maintaining the FI, particularly in the current economic climate.
There are plenty of excellent schools who will eagerly take your money and train you to a higher level, and you'll find your flying more rewarding as a result.
Hope this helps!
Benet
As you probably guessed, I'm not flying professionally - my day job just got a lot more rewarding, and now I only fly for fun, which isn't a bad way to be.
I enjoyed the CPL - the extra theory stretched me, and the instruction wasn't wasted either.
The FI stretched me even further - to the limit of my flying skills, and I haven't had the opportunity to do anything beyond trial lessons with actual students. Although they and I very much enjoyed doing this, I can't see myself maintaining the FI, particularly in the current economic climate.
There are plenty of excellent schools who will eagerly take your money and train you to a higher level, and you'll find your flying more rewarding as a result.
Hope this helps!
Benet
ShyTorque - not sure what the "...despite the attempt to camouflage it with BS" comment was a reference to. Apologies if you were offended in some way.
northpoint - re. your comment "...successfully applied to have the restriction of being in sight of the surface lifted". I've never heard of applying to have that restriction lifted. Can you elaborate?
John R81 - try here for a refresher on UK VMC minima (pages 4/5)
TTB
northpoint - re. your comment "...successfully applied to have the restriction of being in sight of the surface lifted". I've never heard of applying to have that restriction lifted. Can you elaborate?
John R81 - try here for a refresher on UK VMC minima (pages 4/5)
TTB
Join Date: Feb 2007
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All,
I'm considering doing my CPL just for the hell of it as I'm certain that my flying is at CPL standards. (Yes it will most definitely need tweaking to ensure that it ticks ALL the boxes as I have no doubt there will be some bad habits etc in my current flying technique.)
I really have no desire whatsoever to fly as a profession, but I simply want to be a better pilot and I guess that's the only way to really do it. I need to get my head around the time I will need to put aside for the ground school studying.
In terms of theory I have a short attention span and usually just want to get onto the practical stuff, so that's my problem. We'll see.
Joel
I'm considering doing my CPL just for the hell of it as I'm certain that my flying is at CPL standards. (Yes it will most definitely need tweaking to ensure that it ticks ALL the boxes as I have no doubt there will be some bad habits etc in my current flying technique.)
I really have no desire whatsoever to fly as a profession, but I simply want to be a better pilot and I guess that's the only way to really do it. I need to get my head around the time I will need to put aside for the ground school studying.
In terms of theory I have a short attention span and usually just want to get onto the practical stuff, so that's my problem. We'll see.
Joel
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Joel,
I might be mistaken since it has been 14 years since I did my CPL but it was two months classroom work to pass the exams followed by 5-6 hours of mock and real GFT as for improving your skill you would spend you money better by doing a mountain flying course followed by an undersling course followed by a fire fighting course and first and fore most since you own a Jetranger a factory course. You seem to have the money and this is what I would do if I had the wonga.
But maybe you can ask Dennis Kenyon to impart his wisdom to you for a couple of hours or other well respected commercial pilots.
I know though what you mean and I believe we do lack a general training support which one would like to do outside the OPC. Gary is doing a good thing with his Flight Safety aspect but I would also like a general handling aspect for which there is not always time ore money during or after the OPC.
I hope I am making sense.
I might be mistaken since it has been 14 years since I did my CPL but it was two months classroom work to pass the exams followed by 5-6 hours of mock and real GFT as for improving your skill you would spend you money better by doing a mountain flying course followed by an undersling course followed by a fire fighting course and first and fore most since you own a Jetranger a factory course. You seem to have the money and this is what I would do if I had the wonga.
But maybe you can ask Dennis Kenyon to impart his wisdom to you for a couple of hours or other well respected commercial pilots.
I know though what you mean and I believe we do lack a general training support which one would like to do outside the OPC. Gary is doing a good thing with his Flight Safety aspect but I would also like a general handling aspect for which there is not always time ore money during or after the OPC.
I hope I am making sense.
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TTB
I'm not sure that it is still possible to get the restriction for being in sight of the surface lifted. It certainly was possible if you had a CAA licence, as opposed to JAR licence. Once you had a night rating you asked the CAA to re-issue your licence with the restriction removed and you were then legal to go VFR on top. I don't think it is possible to do this any longer now that CAA only issue JAR licences.
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Brilliant Stuff,
I've done a Mountain Flying course and I regularly do continuation training (in fact I'm doing a day of it tomorrow) with an ex-military instructor who puts me through my paces.
I can do a distance learning CPPL course, which a good friend of mine has just completed, so that was a consideration. There is no really good reason for me to do a CPL (H) other than to improve my game.
I certainly wouldn't mind doing some training in the USA with Bell. I've spoken to a couple of pals who are CPL pilots and instructors who have suggested I do it - if only for the aforementioned reasons.
As I own a JetBox and fly regularly the flying element isn't going to cost me that much extra and If I do a distance learning course I reckon I can get the theory and exams out of the way for about £5k.
I've not made my mind up yet and I'm in no hurry. I have to say that I would really love to get my FI(H) ticket - which needs a CPL (H) these days.
Anyway, I'm considering my options. Thanks for the input.
Joel
I've done a Mountain Flying course and I regularly do continuation training (in fact I'm doing a day of it tomorrow) with an ex-military instructor who puts me through my paces.
I can do a distance learning CPPL course, which a good friend of mine has just completed, so that was a consideration. There is no really good reason for me to do a CPL (H) other than to improve my game.
I certainly wouldn't mind doing some training in the USA with Bell. I've spoken to a couple of pals who are CPL pilots and instructors who have suggested I do it - if only for the aforementioned reasons.
As I own a JetBox and fly regularly the flying element isn't going to cost me that much extra and If I do a distance learning course I reckon I can get the theory and exams out of the way for about £5k.
I've not made my mind up yet and I'm in no hurry. I have to say that I would really love to get my FI(H) ticket - which needs a CPL (H) these days.
Anyway, I'm considering my options. Thanks for the input.
Joel
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get my FI(H) ticket - which needs a CPL (H) these days.
although either way, you need at least CPL(H) theory.Cheers
Whirls
JTobias
I have just scraped through the CPL theory (fixed wing) and I would argue that very few people have a shorter attention span than I and especially when it comes to a lot of seemingly pointless material. I stretched it over the maximum 18 months from start to finish although this was not helped by having to spend 5/6 months of the year abroad. I did the distance learning through GTS in Bournemouth and can't recommend them highly enough. I only did it to obtain the FI rating in an effort to help out my local club but that was before the dreaded credit crunch when instructors were thin on the ground. To be honest improving my own standards may have had some bearing on it as well.
I also am at the PPL H license flight test stage although the numbers would need to come up before I would consider the helicopter FI.
If you have the time I would go for the CPL as the Irish would say if your not in you can't lose.
Solar
I have just scraped through the CPL theory (fixed wing) and I would argue that very few people have a shorter attention span than I and especially when it comes to a lot of seemingly pointless material. I stretched it over the maximum 18 months from start to finish although this was not helped by having to spend 5/6 months of the year abroad. I did the distance learning through GTS in Bournemouth and can't recommend them highly enough. I only did it to obtain the FI rating in an effort to help out my local club but that was before the dreaded credit crunch when instructors were thin on the ground. To be honest improving my own standards may have had some bearing on it as well.
I also am at the PPL H license flight test stage although the numbers would need to come up before I would consider the helicopter FI.
If you have the time I would go for the CPL as the Irish would say if your not in you can't lose.
Solar
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Well the Bell factory course I am told is top notch and does teach you a lot about the 206. This is all I can add.
And no I haven't done it myself I and I don't work for them either.
And no I haven't done it myself I and I don't work for them either.
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PPL to CPL?
Yes, getting a CPL(H) just for the heck of it is on my list. Had it planned for my 50th birthday but there was not enough time. Gearing up for it now, though! I'll get the one and only CPL(H) distance course if it can be teamed with my favourite flight school. Capt Paco?
