Brian Rowsell at Bristol & Wessex is very good. He's an ex Army Air Corps pilot, and still flies regularly with the Army as a TA pilot.
If you're prepared to travel further afield, Mike Smith at Heliair (Wellesbourne, near Stratford) is the most experienced heli instructor in the UK - and possibly the world. Without doubt the best civvy instructor I've ever had.
Good Luck.

What is your long term aim? That really must be your primary concern. The North Sea is in decline, any helicopter pilot with any sense is converting to fixed wing.

Surely you must look around you and see what you want is ludicrous in this present environment.

Tiger heli school moving to Welshpool
 

Anybody heard of a rumour concerning a helicopter flying school, possibly Tiger from Shobdon, looking at moving to EGCW in Mid Wales?

WWW

Yes, WWW. But for various reasons it is only a rumour at present. I should know more at the end of the month or thereabouts; I'll post it here if and when I do

Keep me posted. I'm not a million miles away (like 20)and have 5000 instructional !

------------------

Old Beefer,
Aren't they paying you enough at DHS?

V insanus in Salopia

PPL(H) in the UK
 

A friend of mine has decided he wants to get his Helicopter PPL. He lives in Suffolk, so any info on UK flight schools within driving distance from there, would be gladly received.
If you have something to say that might set off a riot you can e-mail me and I'll pass it on.

Cheers in advance.



------------------

Alright mate,

Try www.srg.caa.co.uk for a list of currently approved flight training organisations. That should give yer friend the approved local ones, then its probably best to visit a few and see which ones he/she likes.Good luck.

Quidam,

Cheers mate, already done that.

Kenny.

Try Direct Helicopters at Southend!

Probably the best is Heathrow. From there you can hop on a flight over to the US. The flight over its self is less the a hours hire and instruction in this country.

Heli Hire...
 

I'd like to put the Hughes (MD) 500 series on my licence, and then fly it occasionally either privately and / or freelance charter. Anyone help? ( All reasonable rates considered.) Based southern UK.

I may stand corrected, but I do believe that Heli Air @ Denham could help you out on that one, not sure on the rates though.

Drop them a line:- 01895-835899

HeliEng

You could try Biggin Hill Helicopters at er, Biggin Hill. Web site is www.bhh.co.uk

They do reasonable rates and offer block rate discounts

heli eng,

not saying they dont do it but I never seen an MD500 at denham, but I have at Redhill, EBG Helicopters, and maybe you could try London Helicopter centre also at Redhill.

also I have noticed that whenever people ask for training tips that heli air at Denham are always mentioned, they are OK as far as I know but why do they have so many unpaid reps does anyone know?




------------------
elpirata

Elpirata:

There indeed have been many H500's at Denham, I am just not sure whether they are available for training, or are purely Private machines.

Also, what do you mean by unpaid reps?

HeliEng

I think El P may be hinting at the heavy support for Heli Air on these BB's.

Hey El P, how's the IR coming on? Heard any good lay-by/fuel jokes lately

Balance!

Sorry, maybe I am being extraordinerally dense today. Still not catching your drift!

HeliEng

hi balance:

IR in a helicopter, they told me it would be busy but this brings busy to a new stratospheric level !, starting on the twin squirrel on monday !
as for fuel jokes - hmmn


hi heli eng: by unpaid rep I mean someone who recommends companies in the same way as someone would who was on commission based on sales.

what I want to know is what makes them any better than
1.Cabair - elstree
2.Flightworks - wycombe
3.cabair - blackbushe
4.london helicopter centres - redhill
5.EBG - redhill
6.Biggin Hill Helicopters - (guess where)

etc etc etc, I know Q is good but so are lots of other guys.

have I overcome your denseness yet?
also please dont take me too seriously just asking the question!



------------------
elpirata

LAFalot
I don't think HeliAir at Denham offer training on the H500.
Elpirata
This forum is very useful for exchanging experiences of all sorts, including good/bad places to train/rent. Perhaps the reason lots of people recommend HeliAir is that they have good quality machines (and lots of them), give good service/training and, apart from the CFI who always looks as if she could do with something to put a smile on her face, very easy going and friendly.
Bad experiences/reports are just as helpful. eg The small place opposite Leeds Bradford used to be good but, since the change of ownership a few years ago, has consistently bad reports.
Knowledge is power - and can save lots of disappointment and dosh!