Converting Helo licence to Fixed wing!
 

What is the truth in the rumour that JARS are going to make it very much easier to convert a helicopter licence to a fixed wing licence?

The word on the street is that the Instrument Rating will not have to be repeated, less exams required and more account of helo hours.

If this is true watch this spa…….

Dunno about the requirements, mate, but I'd be wanting to make sure I got some decent instrument training in the FW if I was you.

I have been rated on both (Country AND Western!), and it's a different kettle of fish.

Your RW experience will help of course, but on the face of it I'd say a separate rating would be warranted.

Don't know about the conversion of certificates but I do know a bit about the conversion of mind set. For future use, and I know this sounds simple but, from day one in the airplane remember that you are doing everything you do in the air with the underlying restriction of not being able to land just about any where you want. Oil pressure, fuel level and the odd new vibration all have some what different levels of importance. Don't get caught in a sick single engine airplane wearing your helicopter head.
I know you didn't ask for that, sorry, just an old lesson I thought I'd share.

Thank you Arm out the window and Vlift for your pearls of aviation wisdom, but I have flown both commercially as well and I also know that the basics of instrument flying are the same whatever you fly in.

The space I refered to was not specific to myself !

Now let me ask the question again-What is the truth in the rumour that JARS are going to make it very much easier to convert a helicopter licence to a fixed wing licence?

Responses to the question if possible

Unfortunately the problem with rumours are that they are usually created with a mixture of wishful thinking and clap-trap.
Last year I tried to get some information on the conversion from the CAA, however with the JAR mess they hadn't got round to the helicopter specific issues. I was informed that some of my hours would count but the helicopter instrument hours would not. I was then referred to an FTO who weren't very helpful at all but did seem willing to contradict the CAA and assure me that I would have to do the full course with full payment with no regard to my flight experience.
Hopefully now all parties would be able to give you a definite answer.
As always you need to contact the CAA and get a written assessment of what your conversion requirements would be, and then see if an FTO agrees with the assessment.
One final point, if you were a qualified pilot prior to JARs were introduced I am led to believe that you come under CAA CAP 54 of old, in which case your helicopter hours would count i.e. x-country,total flight time and some instrument time towards the FW requirements.
I hope this is of help...good luck

I doubt that there is any truth to this rumour, and if there is it would be a retrograde step.

To assume mere 'conversion' of a Fixed Wing licence to a Helicopter licence is the beginning of an extremely dangerous path, one which has taken the lives of many in the past.

Whatever any authority requires to licence you for Helicopters make sure that you will not react incorrectly in the heat of the moment, i.e. to a low rotor RPM horn.

Take heed!