How long to gain PPL(H)
 

Hello All,

I'm thinking of doing my PPL(H) in the early part of next year. What is the average time that a person takes to achieve it?
When I did my fixed wing - I think it took me about 50 hours to get. I've heard that Heli's are rarely done in the 40/45 hours required (Is this a myth?)

I know its all down to the individual - but is there a general consensus on this?

Also, what is the price differential in doing it in the UK and the USA? Given that I'm familiar with the UK airspace setup via my PPL(A).
I would look to do the course in 1 hit 2-3weeks I presume.

Many thanks

GV

60/70 hours is, anecdotally, the ball park for someone coming to it "fresh". However, with a PPL(A), you will already have some airmanship, be familiar with a circuit (although helicopter circuits are lower and tighter!) and be happy with radio etc so it shouldn't take as long as someone who has done/has none of these.

However, I think 2-3 weeks full-time might be pushing it. I did my PPL(H) full time (as a fresher with no PPL(A)) and it took 8 weeks, flying Mon-Fri. That was 67 hours spread out over that time. I lost one day to weather but a few to serviceability of the aircraft. Other than that, I found 2 hours flying a day, as a learner, quite tiring. When I wasn’t flying I was doing my groundschool.


Cheers

Whirls

Have heard of people doing 2-3 weeks all in PPL(H)'s but wouldn't want to sit next to them flying as their first passenger.... :bored:

For what it's worth, I've been doing my PPL(H) over this year, started in Jan. I might attempt my flight test next month (assuming I can get sloping ground landings sorted out). I've flown approximately once a week, for roughly an hour each (which was all I could afford). I have absolutely no prior flying experience whatsoever, and the groundschool has been completely self-study at a lazy pace - if you're determined, and have the time to spend, you could easily get through all your written exams in 4 weeks or so. Which is to say, I think I could.

Hours required that I've been quoted have mostly been 50 - 60 for no prior experience. As Whirls pointed out, though, having already attained a PPL(A), you should already have a good idea of things like navigation and radio usage. I believe you can also carry some ground credits across (I doubt you'd need to redo the radio stuff, for example), and I seem to remember you get a 6 hour reduction in minimums - obviously, this is all in LASORS.

I did my PPL(H) in a month, just over 40 hours TT with no prior pilot experience - but I did have a few hundred hours of CH-47 enlisted crewmember time. I was comfortable using radios & maps, and just being in the air at least...

Flying almost every day definitely helped, you don't spend time reviewing whatever you've forgotten from lessons that are too far apart.

Full time you'll pass in less time than flying once or twice a month etc.

Did my test at 40 hours and took five weeks, mon to fri through a winter period. Lost a few days due to snow and winds etc. No reason why anyone can't pass in a reasonable amount of time if committed.

;)

If you can, try to get a CFII that has had a few students before you. They'll probably be a lot more relaxed and you wont be asking so many "Are you on the controls?" type questions.

As for price, you'll easily save the cost of air fare and living expenses. Try to pick a school with good weather at that time of year.

Airspace shouldn't be a big deal.