Someone/somewhere else to consider for your conversion is Mike Buckland who runs FI courses out of Heliflight and Rise down at Gloucester.

I am in the middle of an FI course down there, and having spoke to and visited a few schools before choosing Heliflight, for me it came down to 2 things (not in order)
1, price and availability
2, was an FI(E) doing the course

there are only 8 ? FI(E)s so their standards should all be very similar.

Mike Buckland is an FI(E) and also a nice chap and very good instructor, he has been doing FI courses for many many years with a 100% pass rate, IMHO the statistics speak for themselves.

Chester

Thanks guys.

Trying to work out what'd happen after April, for sure, regarding reduced course reqs. When talking briefly to Leon Smith, he said 50hrs ground, which, as you say, is 'happy medium' between the ground for FAA CFI and JAA FI. Obviously, to required proficiency, but the 30hr flight would kill my funding, whatever will be left, incl loan.

I'm told both Mike Green and Geoff Day run the FI courses throughout the year, including winter months (time I'm likely to do it), so the weather could be more of an issue than actual instructor's availability. At least it's not fixed wing FI course with all the upper aerial work stuff..

Can“t show you where to find it-but afaik, a rating that is expired is "falling off your license" immediately....

You will not be able to get an expired rating onto your EASA-license...

AFAIK, yes.

But i am in an early stage of getting my head into EASA-Ops, as Germany is only introducing it in April this year...

my understanding of this is that when you apply for your EASA licence (which you could do now if you want as your JAR licence is already a "deemed" EASA licence), on the application form you will be invited to list all the ratings on the JAR licence (whatever the age of them), when the licence comes back, anything over 3 years old will be listed in the 'previously held ratings' section. i.e. in your case the R44/FI

renewal of these will be subject to a full course less any credit given by the ATO based on your previous experience.*

when you renew your licence and the 2016 date makes no difference to any of this because your licence is already deemed EASA, and the minimum training to reactivate these will logically increase as your expired period increases.

*having looked through CAP 804 and the AMC, i am less sure about the minimums to renew the FI rating, because i cant find a direct reference to renewal when expired by more than 3 years.

From Annex I to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011

In addition, and from the Flight Examiners' Handbook (page 41):

go along to a provider of FI courses and ask his opinion would be a good place to start I think.

having just lost 4 twin engine helicopter types from my licence altogether because they are more than 3 years expired, you are preaching to the converted

Talk to Helicopter Services, Leon will give you the (current) definitive answer.

Curtis has spelt it out for you

1 Attend an instructor Refresher Seminar

2 Pass an assesment of competence with an FIE H

Simples !

It doesn't matter by how long the FI certificate has expired, the requirements are the same: Attend a seminar and pass an assessment of competence. The fact that the certificate has been transferred to the 'Previously held' section is also irrelevant.

Refresher training for the type rating is entirely at the discretion of the ATO. It 'can' take into account the recommendations in the AMC but it is neither obliged (must) nor encouraged (should) to do so.

GS, You could do the instructor Refresher Seminar at Helicentre Aviation {Leicester} with Geoff Day {Helicopter based course}, and he is also an FIE so can also do the FI Test. ATG.

Guys,

Anyone know what the requirements for obtaining a flight instructors rating under EASA are ? Will their still be a requirement to have a CPL (H) or has this now changed ?

Joel

Cap804. Section 4, Part J - implies to me you could undertake the FI course as a PPL(H) and teach up to PPL level, presumably not for reward though without a CPL(?).

I understood that a PPL(H) with FI can then be paid for instruction. CPL(H) no longer needed to allow payment.

Willing to be corrected, however

+1 for Mike Buckland, now at HeliAir Gloucester. One of the top people to train with in the country.

Correct but you still need to have passed the CPL(H) exams.

Do you have a reference for that? I was told very recently that to instruct to PPL all that was needed was a PPL and FI, and that payment for FI work was covered by the FI. Specifically I was told no CPL was needed.

John, for what it worth (Sept 2012); see this CAA pdf, FCL 915.FI-Prerequisite, and their annotation.

GNZ - thanks for the link



FCL.205.H PPL(H) - Privileges

(a) The privileges of the holder of a PPL(H) are to act without remuneration as PIC or co-pilot of helicopters engaged in non-commercial operations.

(b) Notwithstanding the paragraph above, the holder of a PPL(H) with instructor or examiner privileges may receive remuneration for:

(1) the provision of flight instruction for the LAPL(H) or the PPL(H);
(2) the conduct of skill tests and proficiency checks for these licenses;
(3) the ratings and certificates attached to these licenses


However:
FCL.915.FI

(c) At lest 200 hours as PIC if the applicant holds at least a PPL(H) and has met the requirements for CPL theoretical knowledge

Note: CPL knowledge requirements to be met before attending the FI course

Hi guys and girls!

Could anyone recomnend a EASA CFI(H) training provider?
Im planning on doing the FI course and Im looking for the right place