Pilot Training
HeliPower can provide training for any student wishing to obtain their pilots licence. We would encourage you to visit us and discuss the various options to obtain your Pilots Licence Helicopters PPL(H). With a flight examiner as our head of training we are well equipped to provide quality training for your licence. All our staff are readily available to help you every step of the way!
Our convenient location in Newtownards, just 20 minutes from the centre of Belfast, combined with having the only full time and most experienced instructor in Northern Ireland makes HeliPower the natural choice for pilot training.
The PPL(H) course follows a specific syllabus dictated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) but your training can be tailored to your personal ability, timetable and budget. No previous flying experience is required and training can begin at 14, solo achieved at 16 and licence issued at 17. There is no upper age limit just the requirement to keep passing your medical with an Aviation Medical Examiner. The CAA requires a minimum of 45 hours of training of which 10 hours must be solo flying however realistically you should budget for 50-60 hours to achieve you PPL(H).
One you have you licence you can rent helicopters from us and take your friends and family to a local hotel or restaurant for lunch!
Requirements
The PPL(H) course follows a specific syllabus dictated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) but your training can be tailored to your personal ability, timetable and budget.
No previous flying experience is required and training can begin at 14, solo achieved at 16 and licence issued at 17. There is no upper age limit just the requirement to keep passing your medical with an Aviation Medical Examiner.
The CAA requires a minimum of 45 hours of training of which 10 hours must be solo flying however realistically you should budget for 50-60 hours to achieve you PPL(H).
Exams
HeliPower hold the approval to set CAA PPL(H) Theoretical Knowledge Examinations in house, allowing you the flexibility to sit your exams whenever you please, no need to stress over deadlines, just book your exam date and time and study at home! The thought of exams makes some students 'nervous' as it may have been some time since a text book was opened! However, all exams are multiple choice and self studying can be boosted with help and guidance from our school staff.
Do one exam at a time, or three exams in one day, the choice is yours! You have 6 sittings to complete all 9 exams. 1 sitting is a 10 day period.
In order to obtain a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) pilot licence (helicopter, microlight or aeroplane), you must also have a Radiotelephony Licence. HeliPower can arrange courses and examinations to any student or qualified pilot to obtain such licence. Our partner company JRF Aviation supplies the courses and administers the test.
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the basics of radiotelephony and to develop those skills leading to an understanding of what we say, not just to rhyme off a series of words, phrases and numbers because you are told to. Also the reason we say what we transmit will be explained from an Air Traffic Control point of view.
Night Qualification
Once you have obtained your Private Pilot's Licence PPL(H), you can then progress your training to obtain a Night Qualification; allowing you to continue to fly throughout the UK airspace at night!
The course comprises of 10 hours of instrument flying followed by 5 hours of night flying. The night portion is a combination of airfield and circuit work with 6 take offs and landing to be flown solo. This is followed by navigation learning the different techniques required to fly at night.
What you need
Your Private Pilot's Licence PPL(H) willbe issued with the type of helicopter you carried out your training on, usually the R22. With Helipower you can add other helicopter ratings to you licence.
To obtain an additional type on your PPL(H) you must complete a 5 hour training course plus take a skills test on the new type. The test is general handling and emergency procedures, navigation is not tested again. Helipower in association with JRF Aviation can carryout type ratings on the following helicopters: R22, R44 and Bell 206 Jetranger and Cabri G2.
