PPL(H)
 

hello everyone, I'm new to this site and it's very interesting reading, only wish I'd heard about it ages ago. Got a quick question and if anyone has the time to answer I'd be truly grateful. I'm a PPL(H) but haven't flown now for about 18 months, largely due to costs and various other committments. What will I have to do to get back into flying? I've forgotten a lot so have read up safety procedures etc, but will I have to fly a lot of hours with an instructor before I'm allowed out on my own again, or will it be a matter of a few hours check rides? Also, I've been on at my bank manager about a loan to do the CPL(H) and he sort of laughed at me in that bank managerish way which led me to believe he is not going to help me (he said come back when you have the FULL amount needed, no hidden extras etc etc and he might, might, but probably won't, think about it). Is there (I sort of know the answer to this, but it's worth a try just in case I've missed any startling new development) any chance a helicopter firm will part sponsor me to do a CPL? I assume if there is, you'll all be out there doing it. Sorry for the long-winded post, and I hope you're still awake. But please, any advice would be gratefully received.
Cheers
Sean

You'll need to do as much flying as is required to pass a Licence Proficiency Check. How many hours that is I can't tell you as it will depend on your ability. Renewing a type rating after this length of time requires no set amount of training or flying (other than the usual 2 hours in the preceding 12 months). So get booked into your local school and you could be up and running by the end of the day. However, don't be surprised if the school is reluctant to allow you to Self Fly Hire without a few flights with an instructor.
As regards sponshorship, other than the GAPAN scheme I'm not aware of any companies sponsoring at the moment. To prevent abuse from posters that aren't sitting around drinking coffee waiting for their shift to end;), you would be as well reading the threads at the top of the forum, and using the search function regarding becoming a professional pilot.
Best of luck with the bank manager, but I suspect that any loan would have to be secured.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but as there are people with CPL's and above looking for work, I can't see any company at all sponsoring you, now or in the future. They won't even sponsor guys through IR's now as they can pick and choose from those of us who self funded the whole lot. Get yourself minimum of £50k (nearer£100k) and you might get lucky once qualified. Unfortunately that's the way it is right now.

ppl(H)
 

Thanks guys, it was sort of what I expected to hear, but needed to hear it nevertheless, from people who know these things. I need to be rich, basically, don't I, if I want to be a professional heli pilot? Ah well, it's still a dream, but there's nothing wrong with dreaming. I'm off down the Tube now to do some busking and start raising that £100k. I can't sing, but then again neither can most of the buskers on the Tube and they seem to do OK. Perhaps I could start a pressure group - working class people for CPL(H) - and get a Government grant under the restart programme or something. Cheers everyone, good luck to you all.
Sean the dreamer

PPL
 

Having just read my first post, I realise it could have appeared a touch conceited. It wasn't meant to be that way, honestly, there is no way I consider myself so good or special that I should qualify for any sponsorship. I was clutching at straws and I apologise if I annoyed anyone. I appreciate you all taking the time to respond when you would have been well within your rights to ignore me for thinking I could even consider being a pro heli pilot given my total lack of experience. Thanks guys and good luck

Don't be so hard on yourself, we all had to walk that road in one form or another. Dream the dream hard enough and it'll happen. :ok:

Why do a CPL(H)? Why not spend the money on a kit for a Rotorway or even cheap certified helicopter e.g. Bell47, H300 or Entrom and own your own helicopter! Go where you want to go when you want to go!

If you spend the money on paying to do a CPL(H) you will have a whole lot of no flying at the end of it and a massive loan to repay. Get real

OOW

Seang,

I am in a similar position, PPLH since 2003. Always going to be a career change. I am struggling to fly once a month (most flying schools require you to fly once in every 28 days, otherwise you must complete a check ride with an instructor). When I do fly, it is only circuit flying.

There is so much I want to do, the heli lanes, over to Isle of Wight, across to France etc. Great if you have the money to "spread" your wings. I am currently looking to change my job after 11 years and increase my incomings so that I can then find a loan which is right for me and be able to afford the repayments over the next 10 years or so.

Have you considered a career in instructing? More money to find but a better chance of finding employment.

XTEC

ppl(h)
 

Thanks everyone. Think you're right outofwhack, I should get real.
Sean

'Get real'.
 

If I had taken all the well-meant advice to heart about not bothering to continue my dream of becoming a CPL, then I wouldn't be in a position to write this.
Ultimately, whether you become a CPL or not will not be predicated on the advice you receive from me or anyone else on this or any other forum. Those that have achieved their goals - any goals - have had one thing in common - determination. In years to come you'll hopefully realise that nothing that anyone has told you has had any influence on your decision. Except, that, if you give up easily you hadn't got what it would have taken.
I can't put into words the frustration, anguish and despair I've felt in getting to where I am, to where I wanted to be. If you've got what it takes you'll probably feel that too. I have no regrets about pursuing my dream job, but I could easily have taken the well meant advice in the early days to stop at a PPL and hire an aircraft to do what I want when I want. That would have caused me to regret a great deal now in not knowing what might have been.
So get busking, and I'll dig out some spare copper.

ppl(H)
 

Thanks beater, nice one. I certainly don't lack determination, but I do lack money. Tuning up those guitar strings now and going over old Dylan numbers (they always sound better down the Tube, whoever sings them). If we still had working chimneys in London the kids would be up them tomorrow helping their dad achieve his dreams. They'd thank me in the long run. Thanks for your positive comments and good luck to you
Sean
PS, my sarcastic daughter has just informed me that the only way I will get paid for busking is if people give me cash to stop. Did you get this level of support from your family?