Well, like I said, I'm from the ****ry and I was wondering who Big Ben is. The only one I know sits up at the store bumming cigarettes and won't work even for cash. You did know we have welfare here didn't you.
Barryb

cropduster, were you in deliverence by any chance working under the name of 'bubba'?
keep chewin

I seem to have told quite a few people about this thread recently (saved me telling them about the trip :D ), so I thought I'd bring it to the top so that they can find it.

I also have to type it again and edit it; Flyer magazine wants to publish it! Don't know when, before anyone asks.

So I might possibly recoup a very small amount of the fortune I spent. :)

Whirlybird. Considering you've only got 300hrs on helos, you've packed some quality stuff in to date. You'll be a master by the time you've got your 1000:D
Where are you from in Wales?

Thomas,

I live near Llangollen, in North Wales, about 5 miles from the Shropshire border, on a south facing hillside with the best view in the world (and possibly the worst weather!).

I don't have 300 hours yet, only 260 (well, 261.3 to be precise!). I know exactly, since I need that extra 38.7 before I can do an instructors course, and it looks like I'm going to have to pay for them myself. :( Ah well, I'm sure I can find some more interesting flying somewhere in the world, and hopefully still afford to eat. :)

An update, since this thread seems to be alive again. I did the flying and written test last week for the R44, and will have the type rating as soon as the CAA get around to sending it to me. No problems at all, despite horrible weather and a non-hydraulic R44 which I wasn't used to. But I thought I'd have problems with the B206, and I did. I went up for an hour with an instructor just to see how I got on, and found out that basically a "quickie" transition course, lots of flying straight and level, and all of it left seat, really doesn't equal a proper training course. The US stuff was excellent fun, good experience, and good for what I paid; I'm not complaining. Maybe someone else who learns quicker than I do would cope better; I don't know. I'm just passing this on for the benefit of anyone else thinking of doing what I did.

Good to hear so many people really enjoy their helicopter flying. I'm happy to say that after 40 years of it, I still find it fun.

Whirly.
As you come from North Wales, RAF Valley used to run a great mountain flying course in the Snowdon area. I know the mountains are not very high there but quite often height is not the major problem. The main problem in my experience has been to work out precisely what the wind is doing and for some reason we could have 50 knots in the hills and only 10 knots at Valley, so it is very easy to get sucked in. Many of the 10000+ feet landings I've done were easier than the ones around Snowdon. If you are still allowed to fly in that area, I highly recommend it.:D

Nigel,

Thanks for that. Heliflight, whose helicopters I hire, do a once yearly mountain flying weekend in Snowdonia. I went last year, and I'll definitely go again this year. As you say, it's knowing about the wind that's one of the most difficult things; I found in the US that I was getting better at it with practice, but slowly. But being at high altitudes, especially trying to land, makes a difference too - not that I really need to know about that if I'll be flying in the UK!

The Start of my career
 

Hey everyone,
Im currently 18 and just finally finished the long and hard struggle of getting the finances together to start flight school. Well I finally got it done and I will be starting my training this Saturday. Today was quite a big day for me to hear this news! Just thought I would let the fellow RotorHeads know.

Scott

Good news! http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/thumbs.gif
Good Luck - and let us know how you get on.

Good luck bud, any idea where you are going to train?

Yeah...I will be training with Glacier Helicopter located in Olympia Washington. After checking with all the schools in my area, I found them to be more helpful than the other schools. I also went up for a flight with the instructor ill be with and I was happy with his skills and I got along with him very well. I think I have a good start on all of this because I have been working for a helicopter facility for almost 4 years now. I have gained a lot of experience. Time to apply it towards a flying career!

Scott

PPL(H) at Orlando Flight Training?
 

Hi - sorry to bring up a PPL issue in this bit which I know is for professionals, but I'm struggling to get a response in the private flying section as most people who read that are fixed wing pilots.

I'm thinking of doing my JAA PPL(H) at Orlando Flight Training in Kissimmee, Florida, and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience / useful info about this school.

I know that learning in the UK would be ideal but the cost of obtaining JAA PPL(H) over there is so much lower.

Any tips / advice from seasoned pro's would be much appreciated.
Thanks

are you sure you don't think of the JAA (helicopter school) in Titusville, Florida? I have feedback on that one, but not on the one in Kissimee.
sp

PPL States
 

iba194- I under took a PPL(H) in Penslyvania flying a Bell 47 $200 per hr on the ICAO certificate. The training is for an amercican licence, which entiltes you to fly helicopters over here, just can't take them out of the country.
I had a great time, the company was called Dutch Country Helicopters, I went over this year obtained my Commercial (american) and going back in Oct for my CFI. Hope this info was of some use. Good luck, just for your info, Bell 47's are great for training, very forgiving and flexible.

Darren

Did fixed wing PPL at Orlando Flight Training just before they started the helicopter side. For doing a PPL they were good. I know one of the helicopter instructors there who was trained at Helicopter Adventures (the school in Titusville previously mentioned). In all, great place for PPL, good accommodation, good airfield, good instructors, most of all great value. Heli Adventures is a great place for JAA ATPL, not sure about PPL though. Which ever, I recomend doing as many ground exams as possible at local flying club as some are the same as fixed wing, then concentrate more on the flying out there.

I did the JAA PPL(H) cours in Heli Adventures last summer. Got it completed in under 2 months. Personally I thought the school is really good. Has great instructors and a lot of other students who all make it worth while. I am currently back at HAI now completing all my FAA ratings. Let me know if you need any info/details about the school. Good luck.

Colorado Helicopter flight schools
 

Is anybody familiar with any Robinson flight schools in Colorado. Preferable one in the Denver region.

Thanks

There is no longer a Robinson flight school in Colorado. Exel used to be in Denver then Boulder. They no longer do any training, just hevi lift with the 214b.

There are 4 flight schools in the denver area. 2 H300c schools and 2 with Enstroms. The one 300 school has a couple of instructors who work/worked up at the HATS center in Eagle.

Rotor of the Rockies, Highlander helicopter Flight Training, Denver Helicopters and the new enstrom guy...

I heard a rumor a guy wanted to start a R44 school in Grand Junction.

Hope this helps...

Personally, learning to fly at that DA is going to be hard. Espically if you weigh more than 180 lbs. You and an instructor who weighs 180 doesnt leave a whole lot left for fuel before you hit Max Gross Weight.

Unlike some of the Schools elsewhere out west that are high, you cant go down in DA quickly, just up...

IMO a R22BII up here would be pushing it, especialy on a hot day in July....

Hope this helps

RB:D

help/training in usa
 

Hi Guys,I am currently doing my Commercial Helicopter Licence in Australia. I have 20 hrs.in a R22 & 3 hrs. in Bell 47. My wife has been offered a job in L.A. next year and I'm looking at finishing my training somewhere in the L.A. area.What do I have to do to finish my training in the states to U.S commercial level and or instructor.Who are the good schools to train with. What are the realistic job prospects in the states for low houred pilots. Where can I go for a job when I finish my training.Travel is no problem.What are the Visa requirements to train then work for a 37 year old.
Do any of you American PPRUNERS know how much rent is in the L.A. area. Also what are the good suburbs to live in,trouble free so to speak not necessarily inner city.

Huey,
Your best bet is to get on the www and email flight schools in the LA area close to where you plan to rent. I know a number of guys who obtained a J1 visa through their flight school, this allows you to work/train as a CFI for up to 2 years although post sept 11 this may have changed somewhat. Rents in LA I don't know much about but are probably the same as any big city these days.
It used to be that one could convert a FAA licence to a CASA licence if that person had used the FAA licence to earn a living for 200 hrs. After returning to OZ, all that is required is a Air Law exam and a Flight Test. Check with CASA as this may have changed. Best of luck. M/V