Ventbrook Air Blackpool Ltd, Blackpool International Airport, Blackpool - CALL on 01253 343082

Open 7 days a week throughout the Year

www.Ventbrookair.com

Learn to Fly (PPL(H))

The PPL(H) is the foundation for all your future flying, whether that be for purely recreational, private ownership or commercial purposes. It is the basic qualification that all helicopter pilots achieve first and it opens up the world of helicopter flying to you.

Ventbrook Air Blackpool offers one of the best facilities in the country to undertake your flying, with a team of highly experienced and expert instructors which is second to none. This is further supported by an extensive fleet of helicopters.

Introduction

Helicopters do not need an airfield, and can land at hundreds of places throughout the UK, places not accessible to aeroplanes. Landing sites include hotels, restaurants and country clubs, and it is this accessibility that makes helicopter travel so appealing.

The PPL(H) is a qualification recognised in most countries throughout the world (usually with some paperwork formalities).

We even have our own FAA Instructor (covering America and other countries) who is approved to teach FAA PPL and also FAA pilots can take their Biennial Flight Reviews (BFR) here in the UK!

Having completed your PPL(H) you do not need to buy your own helicopter, you can self-fly hire one of our helicopters from us. Although owning and operating your own helicopter is comparable to a luxury car.

As a PPL(H) holder the sky really is the limit!

What's Involved

In order to learn to fly you must complete the following:

• A minimum of 45 hours flight training. Of which at least 10 hours must be solo flight (pilot in command) and 5 hours instrument flying.
• Pass seven ground school subjects - Air Law, Meteorology, Human Performance, Helicopter Technical, Radio Telephony (RT), Navigation and Flight Planning.
• Obtain a Class 2 medical before first solo.
• Obtain an RT Licence.
• Pass a qualifying solo cross-country flight and a skill test.

There is no maximum age, but you must be 14 before any flying experience can count towards obtaining a licence, 16 before going solo and 17 before you can apply for your licence.

The Flying

Lessons are normally scheduled in two hour slots, which include flying, pre and post flight briefings and start-up and shut-down procedures. Ventbrook Air Blackpool is open 7 days a week, so if the working week is not suitable, the weekend could be. During the summer months we are open till late.

All flying is subject to current conditions. If it is unsuitable, we will contact you immediately to re-schedule your flying schedule. We would ask that you please let us know at least 48 hours in advance if you need to cancel an appointment.

How Often Should I Fly?

How frequently you choose to have your lessons is up to you, but experience tells us that continuity tends to help with progression.

The Skill Test

On completion of your flying you will take a Skill Test at Ventbrook Air Blackpool. Your flying at this stage will be to a standard to enable you to demonstrate to the Examiner that you can fly safely and competently. The Skill Test consists of flying the manoeuvres and demonstrating the techniques that you have learnt throughout the PPL(H) course.

The Ground School

In all subjects a multiple-choice exam will have to be passed and in the case of RT, a practical test will need to be completed as well. At first glance, the list of subjects may seem daunting but it progressively forms a logical and common sense part of the training course. We also provide structured ground school courses to help with your studies.

You will need to acquire some reading and self study material as you progress - a logbook, charts, books, navigation equipment etc. All of which are available from our well-stocked helishop. Your instructor will discuss your needs with you.

Medical Requirements

You do not need a medical to begin your flight training. Your instructor will advise you when you need to get a medical. For the PPL(H) a JAR/FCL class II medical is sufficient and provided you are in good health, this should be nothing for you to worry about. A Class II medical can be obtained locally from an Authorised Medical Examiner (AME). A list of approved AMEs is available from Ventbrook Air Blackpool.

If you intend to make a career from helicopter flying, it may be advisable to obtain a Class I medical at this stage. We will be happy to supply details.

How do I get Started?

If you have not already had a hands-on helicopter trial lesson, we suggest that you book one of these. Time spent on your trial lesson can be logged and used towards the hours needed to learn to fly. Very soon you will be at the controls with your fully qualified instructor, experiencing the true freedom of helicopter flying…

If you have already had a trial lesson, call us and book your next lesson. The next flying lesson after your trial lesson, will normally explore in more detail not just the principal flying controls you will have used on your trial lesson, but the ancillary controls too.

You will then progress through various exercises and the flight training mentioned previously, leading to your very first solo flight. This is a never-to-be forgotten moment. Anyone who has learnt to fly will be able to tell you when and where they did their first solo.

Want to Find out More?

Our expert training advisors and team of instructors are on hand 7 days a week to answer your questions. Feel free to call us anytime or visit us and have a look round our facilities. If you would like to read more about the PPL(H) syllabus and the course of flight training provided by Ventbrook Air Blackpool, may we suggest our specially written Student Study Guide. This is our first recommended course book for those wanting to learn to fly and is available from our helishop.

© 2010 All Rights Reserved - contact us
The Helicopter Centre, Blackpool International Airport, Lancashire FY4 2QYS
t. 01253 343 082    f. 01253 407 351