Commercial Helicopter license - the facts and figures

alexlyons

Just wondering if any kind folk out there care to enlighten me, this is something I'm seriously thinking about.

Having been involved in SAR for a decent number of years at a water and shore based level, I've realized it's what I want to do. Except from the air this time.

Yes it's difficult, yes it's probably not for the feint hearted, but I'm used to it, it's not an uninformed decision. Bodies, injuries etc etc, don't affect me as much as others etc. Basically, it's for me.

So any way:

I've looked a bit online and can't find definitive answers.

Where do I start to go about learning helo's
Do I have to get a private license first
How many hours are required for the commercial?
Is there any other way of logging hours other than paying a school?


And the big one, but by no means my biggest issue*, how much is it in total, roughly obviously!!





Not that I'm claiming I'm rich, but one of the last things my grandad said to me was don't let money stop you.

Big Duke 6

First thing to do it go for trial lesson. then if you still like it go book the Class 1 medical in the matter private in Dublin.

If all good , do what i have done went to 3 schools round this Island and had trial flights until i found the right one which i have. If you want the name mail me.

So far: PPLH ave 60hrs as i work full time..there are seven exams, so will cost me in region of 17,000 pounds as doing up the north..

Next is the big exams ATPL's look em up, its 14 exams can do distance learning or full time..

Between ppl and ATPL's you can hour build up to start of commerical course..155 hrs then CPL course starts..

Hr build 100 hrs say @200/hr
CPL course 15,000 euro

Then if you like me want to fly off shore-oil rigs to get experience you must do Instrument rating @£;40k at the end of all this..

Approx prices but first trial and class 1..

check pprune great forum for flying etc

alexlyons

Sounds good albeit a bit confusing!

I take it you can't fly oil rigs unless you have commercial?
What is instrument rating? sounds like one exam but not at £40k!!


Do you, or anyone else for that matter, mind me asking how you funded the training? Not looking for specifics obviously, but loans, family/commercial etc, savings or whatever. Handy to get an idea!

Preset No.3

Whenever the issue or question of commercial flying come up here, the first and most important reminder is that of the CLASS 1 MEDICAL. Go and do your class one, because if you dont have that, it will be a giant waste of time and money!

There are loads of different ways you can get your commerical licence. Firstly there is the schools in the US, South Africa etc that will bring you from zero to atpl much like fixed wing. But be warned, fixed wing is expensive, helicopters are silly money! I would hazard a guess from anywhere from €70-100k!

The best way is to start with the PPL(h). In Ireland, its huge money. Circa €600 an hour for a Robinson R44. If you a small guy, then you could go for the Robinson R22. Its much like a lawnmower with a blade attached! The rate on that is about €400 per hour.

I have a PPL(h) which I got in the UK, and cost me about €15k for about 60 hours of flight training, theory, books, etc. That took me exactly 2 years to do. But, there is quicker ways to do it, maybe in Florida over 2-4 weeks. Im not a mad fan of that. For instance, in the beginning, I just could not handle the hover, i just could not make it work. So I went away, came back a few days later and got it sorted! You dont really have that chance when you only have a short window of training time.

http://www.hieldsaviation.co.uk/

This is the company I used, a lot cheaper than Ireland. Cheapo ryanair flight to leeds and did it there. When Rob says you will get your PPL(h) in 60 hours, you will get it.

Best advice I can give is. Medical first, PPL second. Then take it from there.

xflyer

If you read Big Duke 6's thread you may know this already. SAR flying is tough to get into and dominated by ex military pilots. You'll have to spend a long time getting experience in other jobs first and even then you may never succeed in getting into SAR. So if that's your sole reason for flying then think again. Your previous experience won't help much unless because it's an entirel different discipline.

If you want to fly helicopters professionally you have to expect to go away overseas for a long time to get your experience unless you are lucky to get one of the few jobs available here. But even then you are up against ex military pilots.

It's doable but not for the less than committed. So think carefully about your motivation.

As for finance, well you no doubt have heard about the banks. It's a lot tougher to get money from them. So you'll have to be creative.

You need a commercial pilot's licence before you get a job. An IR, the Instrument rating allows you to under IFR, instrument flight rules. That means fly and navigate using only the Instruments on board without having any visual references. Otherwise you have to remain out of cloud and in sight of the ground. Many helicopter pilots never get an Instrument rating because most heli flying is visual. However in places like the North Sea and in SAR you need an IR for obvious reasons. It's generally regarded as the toughest part of becoming a pilot, whether fixed wing or rotor. It's 40 or 50 hours of flight training some in a simulator followed by an exacting flight test.

Another route into SAR is as a crewman but at the moment they are favouring qualified paramedics and there is a looonnng waiting list.

alexlyons

pretty much what i needed. Hoping to start soon. I presume the medical tests fitness level?

donkey balls

alexlyons wrote: »

pretty much what i needed. Hoping to start soon. I presume the medical tests fitness level?

and the rest i failed my initial on the eye test, even though i have had medicals with different companies through work give them a call here is the link also i passed the exam a few months later.
http://www.materprivate.ie/services/specialities/aeromedical.htm

Big Duke 6

All you need to know..spend time on www.pprune.org

All questions covered,go to rotorheads section and first line click and its subdivided up by topics.

Also http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/292336-overview-obtaining-commercial-pilot-licence-uk.html
Goodluck.

punchdrunk

whats screaming out to me here is why don't you try to become winchcrew??

you've got the beginnings of the SAR training,why not take it to the next level?

Heli Pilots are ten a penny at the moment,and your realistically not going to get your foot in the door without 4-5 years working the rigs etc

there is openings for crewman though,and sure the pilots are just glorified taxi drivers :pac:

do you have any first aid/emergency first responders qualifications?

alexlyons

I like the idea of actually flying the helo's, especially having been up in a few and sat in the co-pilots seat once or twice

I'd love winchcrew, if Paramedic wasn't a requirement. I have first aid, could advance to EFR/EMT in about 2+ years and could then go on to get paramedic status after practicing as an EMT, then I'd be eligible for winchcrew.

xflyer

There is a waiting list for crew. Even crew with winching experience. Frankly it would probably be easier to get in as a pilot. As for them being 'glorified taxi drivers'. Do you know anything about being a pilot?

punchdrunk

Exflyer your sense of humour is U/S....

My dad was chief crewman of Shannon then Waterford
so yeah I've a fair idea of the work the pilots do,their skill & bravery is fairly well documented tbh
I've great respect for all involved not forgetting the engineers too

xflyer

You lose your sense of humour about it when it's repeated at you enough. Because it's believed by too many people. 'Sure don't all those 'planes fly themselves these days?' is another classic. :rolleyes:

punchdrunk

I'll leave you to it so! :rolleyes: