UK CPL(H) Skills courses recommendations and experiences.

[Zero G]

Hi All,

I am looking to my CPL with in the next 2-3 months, and was hoping some of you would be able to help me find the right school to sit the course at.

Any recommendations and experiences with schools/instructors within in the UK would be much appreciated, i am willing to travel anywere in the UK for the right school/instructor.

Also i have a few hours left to build, could i do my night rating in these hours prior to sitting the CPL course?

Many thanks in advance,
Zero G.

[VeeAny]

Helicopter Services at Wycombe or London Helicopters at Redhill.

I have done courses (not CPL) and taught at both and they both (certainly while I was there, so in my experience) wanted to deliver the best training they could.

Most people leave the Night Qual until they do the CPL Course as you can save 5 hours from memory on instrument training.

[Whirlygig]

You need 100 hours post-PPL before you can do your night qualification so, if you did your PPL in 55 hours or less, you'll be OK to do that before you start a CPL course. You've also got to find an airfield that is open late enough - most people wait until the clocks go back.

If you're an R22 chap, then Aeromega at Cambridge or Central Helicopters at Nottingham.

Cheers

Whirls

[DBChopper]

I'll second VeeAny's recommendation of London Helicopter Centres at Redhill - they have a very tidy fleet, it is a very helicopter-friendly airfield with busy airspace and they teach to a high standard. I'll be doing my CPL course there next year.

I have also heard very good things about Central Helicopters from a friend who is just coming to the end of his course there.

[sarboy w****r]

Try ringing Tiger Helicopters at Shobdon (ask to speak to Alan or Lee, Boss/CFI respectively). They're really very friendly and helpful, and it's cheap. Also, they have very (!) cheap accommodation available on site, which might make the difference if you need to stay somewhere for the duration of the course.

I needed to do a B206 type rating and CPL(H) skills test earlier this year after leaving the military, and they were really good. I think they're offering a free trial lesson on an R22 at the moment (details on their website) - you may be able to negotiate that into your CPL(H) course if you ask nicely...

PM me if you want details or have further queries.

SBW

[Wetbulb]

My vote goes to HJS Helicopters at Culter Helipad just outside Aberdeen. They run a very tight professional operation, which is well thought of by the CAA.

[docstone]

Veritair in Cardiff?

[toptobottom]

In my experience, i most definitely WOULD NOT recommend Heli AIr - as I've said before, most of the guys on the ground are great, but G*d help you if there is a 'misunderstanding' of any sort. In my personal experience, they send invoices for products/services that were simply not delivered, over-charge for products/work that was necessary and charge for products/work that wasn't necessary. When challenged, they either call you a liar if the truth can't be proven, or roll over and put it down to an 'admin error' if the truth can be proven. And I'm not the only one by any means. They also seem to have more than their fair share of 'incidents'.

I'll be starting my CPL at London Helicopters in Redhill next Spring - I know the guys there and they run a tidy ship. By contrast, they're professional, friendly, trustworthy and conscientious - and they value my custom.

TTB

[Whirlygig]

and I've always wondered why a lot of them are run so badly?

For exactly the same reason a lot of small businesses are badly run. They are formed by people who do what the company does but don't know how to run the company. The "other 'arf" (usually a wife) is roped in to do the office work and has to learn as she goes along. They can't afford proper advice so muddle along with fire-fighting being their best crisis management strategy.

Cheers

Whirls

[heli7]

Now is the time to start training for your CPL/IR as there is a lull in market and thats when pilots to be should start training not waiting for the market to pick up and missing the boat. Be prepared and ready with your training done.
Any comments?

Heli7

[Flingingwings]

Dan,

Doh!

I dont think this forum needs any additional moderators. The existing band are quick to exert their authority at times. The post staying should maybe have been a hint as to PACOs paid for advertising

In a similar vein you seem to be consistantly anti HS No matter any personal issues you have with 'them' there is no escaping the fact that HS have a well proven history of past students now being in employment, particularly IR students. Plenty of CPs are an acquired taste

Being equally cynical, was Leon nasty about your flying?

(I'll add I'm not really interested, merely 'pulling your leg' )

FW

[Zero G]

Hi,

Thanks to all who took the time to help me, your info is much appreciate.

Thanks,
Zero G.

[Dark007]

I think I met you firefly, I'm currently a student at Elite and I agree, it's a good place to learn. Nice outfit with friendly people. Goodwood's a nice airfield too, particularly with the scenery around, flying to the Isle of Wight and on the coast in general is great. Did my second solo nav ex to the Isle of Wight on a lovely evening, absolutely terrific views.

By the way Firefly, how are you going to go about hour-building? With Elite on their copters? Abroad? Buy your own? Hopefully I'll be a PPL in the next few months, and I'll be needing to figure out the most cost-effective way to do that.

[cobaltfrog]

Ok this is good but lets take this one stage further!

Where does a Ex Mil Pilot (Gz, Lynx 7 and Sea King) with 1800 hours, a PPL(H) (B206 and Gaz) go for the CPL THEORY side and how long does it take? I have had the ATPL course from BS GS which is great but, It blows my brains out as I am thick!!

Cheers
CF

[Teglen]

By the way Firefly, how are you going to go about hour-building? With Elite on their copters? Abroad? Buy your own? Hopefully I'll be a PPL in the next few months, and I'll be needing to figure out the most cost-effective way to do that.

Me also... been searching for a syndicate here in the south... to no avail so far.

[tony 1969]

Check out Northern helicopters in Sweden !!!!!!!!

[DBChopper]

Who hour builds in the UK?

People who want to become familiar with the airspace, terrain and R/T in the area in which they are most likely to later be paid to fly and instruct?

People who would like to build a relationship, rapport and trust with a company for whom they might later like to work?

People who have houses / jobs / friends / families here and don't want to either live abroad or keep having to travel there every time they want to fly?

[Dark007]

Thanks Tony,
I'll have a look at the Swedish one. I used to live there so will have a headstart with the language etc.

Firefly, I'll be doing the same thing, at least every 10th hour flying back at Elite so I don't unlearn too much. However, if you do find somewhere cheaper please let me know.

DBChopper - agree on all points, especially once in the States you have to factor the loss of earnings while there, extra costs in living expenses and the fact that the GBP is rubbish at the moment versus other currencies.