Anyone trained with Helicentre Leicester?

[DHesquire]

Originally Posted by rudestuff

Just to throw a spanner in the works: Get a PPL(A). Even if you don't want one. You can count 20 PIC hours in an airplane towards your helicopter CPL if you hold a PPL(A). Given that FW training is about half the cost, you could get a very cheap PPL(A) out of it. If you did the PPL(A) first, you would have the additional advantage of learning radio, navigation, instrument flight etc on a much more stable platform, which should make your PPL(H) easier.
But by FAR the biggest advantage is that you can add a fixed wing IR for about £8k - and as we all know because we've all read cap804, a FW to Heli IR conversion is only 10 hours. (In other words an IR(H) with a free PPL(A)/IR is cheaper than an IR(H) on its own.

^ This! I openly regret not doing this first - now going to make it my first task when (if...) I get a decent helo job to keep fixed-wing time ticking over in the background. As many others will allude to on here, probably worth keeping at least a CPL(A)/IR in the back pocket for when the tides turn again...an 'insurance policy'...

[Hughes500]

Think you need to look at the thread why are the number of helicopter pilots falling in the UK ! Sums up nicely, crap pay, conditions no fun etc etc

[Council Van]

Originally Posted by ersa

Ah the Golden Carrot , train with us and you may get a position at bristow

I was only speculating, never been in a helicopter, don't know much about that side of the industry other than guessing that Bristow are probably one of the biggest employers of rotary pilots in the UK. I prefer my aircraft to have wings that stay still with two big turbo fans underneath them.

[SpindleBob]

Bristow have hired a few pilots from Helicentre in Leicester. They also narrowed down to half the candidates for the IR Sponsorship also came from Helicentre, so the big operators obviously like their training. They seem to be the only training centre that has an Integrated CPL(H) course so the CAA must think they're good too.

Helicentre seem to have good aircraft that are clean and seem well maintained. You can get good experience after training as an instructor or going out on Pipeline surveys.

No turbine helicopters though

[finalchecksplease]

Originally Posted by SpindleBob

Bristow have hired a few pilots from Helicentre in Leicester. They also narrowed down to half the candidates for the IR came from Helicentre, so the big operators obviously like their training.

Maybe this is the case because the initial "narrowing down" was done by Helicentre without Bristow being involved at that stage?
Bristow only got involved at the final selection stage.

I have heard good and bad things about Helicentre so as always buyer beware, do your homework and don't believe all the promises training schools make.
Also I personally would advise my kids, if they show an interest in aviation, to go fixed wing rather than helicopters because of future prospects.

[DHesquire]

Originally Posted by SpindleBob

.
No turbine helicopters though

They're mid way through a facilities upgrade and expansion atm - they used to have turbines and I reckon Bristow will be injecting cash to not only sort facilities but get some turbines too. The instructors are top notch, you can't take that away from them. Definitely worth a look in and see for yourself.

...2p worth...

[206 jock]

Originally Posted by DHesquire

- they used to have turbines and I reckon Bristow will be injecting cash to not only sort facilities but get some turbines too...

They used to operate my turbine. They won't be having it back. That is all I will say.

[jeepys]

I wouldn’t have thought Bristows will be injecting any cash unless it’s their name over the door and the same goes for adding turbines. They just don’t need to do it.

I didn’t realise they had top notch instructors but very young ones which of course doesn’t mean they’re not good. Others on here who have been trained by them can probably comment.

[Hughes500]

Like to know what a top notch instructor actually is and how one defines that. I m sure the said place offered a way into the industry ( do a full course with us and we will offer you an AFI job ) so not sure where the depth of experience would come from for anyone to be top notch ???

[blessing786]

Thank you all for your responses, if anyone has personally trained with Heli Centre then please drop me a PM to advise of any feedback.

[chopper2004]

Judging from your location I would say for your location come to EGSC and do the course with Aeromega but sadly they are forced to leave because Marshalls has terminated the lease.

Aeromega Helicopters | Helicopter Flying Lessons & Self Fly Hire

Cheers

[blessing786]

Originally Posted by chopper2004

Judging from your location I would say for your location come to EGSC and do the course with Aeromega but sadly they are forced to leave because Marshalls has terminated the lease.

Aeromega Helicopters | Helicopter Flying Lessons & Self Fly Hire

Cheers

Yes they were my go to school when I was raising the funds, now I have the fund they sadly had to move.

I have now enrolled with a school and will see how it goes. Its not helicentre but another recommended school.

[Whiskybravo44]

FW IR for 8k? Where?