Frequently asked questions about flight training
Is it easy to learn to fly a helicopter? Can I learn to do it?
Pilots have described learning to fly a helicopter as easy as learning to ride a bike or drive a car. Initially, the novice pilot must learn to hover, which is much like balancing on a very large beach ball. It is called helicopter hover and hover manouvering. But, once you learn to master the controls of the helicopter, it becomes instinctive. Then, like riding a bicycle, you can control the helicopter almost without thinking.
Is a helicopter easier to fly than an airplane?
Initially, it is more difficult to learn to control a helicopter, although there is some disagreement among pilots about this. Again, once you learn to master the controls of the helicopter, it becomes instinctive.
What kind of missions do helicopter pilots perform?
Helicopters are able to perform tasks no other aircraft or vehicle can even think of doing. Jobs for helicopter pilots include: Pilot training, law enforcement, fire fighting, news gathering, military operations, traffic reporting, heavy-lift work, crop spraying, offshore oil rig transport, search-and-rescue, air-ambulance hospital work, sightseeing, aerial photography, and business transportation, to name only a few.
Is helicopter flying safe?
Absolutely. If you encounter bad weather or have a mechanical problem, you can land a helicopter safely almost anywhere. Most helicopter accidents happen due to poor pilot judgment: flying too low and hitting wires (or other obstacles) or continuing to fly in bad weather or limited visibility (like fog). These accidents are completely avoidable by flying prudently and exercising good judgment. The best insurance available to prevent pilot error accidents is a good training program.
Can a helicopter land safely if the engine quits?
Yes. Helicopters are able to auto-rotate, (meaning that they are able to glide), in the unlikely event of an engine failure. Your training will thoroughly prepare you for such a situation.
What does it take to become a professional helicopter pilot?
Skill and the right attitude are paramount. Being a pilot is more than just flying. It is ground work, machine maintenance and dedication to the employer and clients. Due to the nature of this career, one should be willing to relocate to where the work is – often to remote areas, handle shift scheduling (two weeks on, two weeks off type of thing), and always maintain a safety-first attitude.
What are the medical requirements? May vision defect disqualify me?
We invite you to our site to see aero-medical examination or contact us. Research for civil pilots can be done in half a day and they are not demanding. They help to preserve safety in aviation. The decision as to whether the vision defect is admissible or not depends on a doctor’s opinion. In the case of a minor vision problems it is required to have a second pair of glasses available on board the aircraft. Your doctor can issue a medical certificate with limitation (for example, a person with color blindness can get a limit to fly only during the day).
Can I get certified helicopter pilot, if I wear glasses?
Yes, provided that you are able to pass the examinations with glasses or lenses. The only requirement is then to have glasses or contact lenses during the flight itself, and a second backup.
Is there a minimum age limit to obtain a helicopter pilot certificate?
You can start your helicopter training at sixteen years of age and obtain a Private Pilots License once you are seventeen. For your Commercial Pilots License you need to be eighteen years old.
Can I train during winter?
We train year-round. There are usually very few days in the year that we are unable to fly. Only high winds, storms, or fog will ground us temporarily.
Can pilot trainees do their training on more than one helicopter type?
Yes. However, the first hours should be done on one helicopter type, but after that the trainee can change to a different type if you wish.
Can training be conducted in my own helicopter?
Yes. Please contact us to learn the specific requirements that must be met.
How long will it take to complete training for a Private Helicopter Pilot License?
Completion of your training depends on how often you plan to fly, how much you can afford financially, and how quickly you learn the material and maneuvers. It varies for different individuals, but normally the quickest you will complete a private pilot rating is 6-8 weeks. You are encouraged to work at your own pace and training should never be rushed. Normally, trainees should complete no more than one flight period per day (about 2 hours). Therefore, if you were to fly a training flight every day in a 5-day week, you would complete 10 hours per week.
How many hours of training does it take to get a Private Helicopter Pilot License?
Students must have the following aeronautical experience: A minimum of 45 hours flight time, 10 hours of which must be solo, of the 10 hours 5 hours must be cross-country. See PPL(H) course to find out more.
Do helicopter pilot trainees have to get an Airplane Pilot’s Rating before commencing helicopter training?
No. However, you may receive a reduction in the hours required if you already hold a fixed wing certificate.
After I get my private helicopter certificate, what advanced trainings do you offer?
We invite to see our helicopter ratings trainings and commercial pilot course.
What should be taken into account when selecting the Training Organization?
– convenient location
– competence of instructors
– the number of aircraft used for training
– whether it is technical support on site
When you can begin theoretical training?
Beginning theoretical training is only conditional on the student desire. It is easy to start theoretical training, since we do not create a permanent groups that have predetermined deadlines for lectures, but based on the current analysis of the progress of theoretical training of each student. Therefore, people begin theoretical training can be taken at any chosen time.
When you can start practical training?
The practical training can be started after the completion of theoretical training entirety or in parallel mode (when carried out in parallel theoretical training with practical) after completion of the first phase of theoretical training.
What is required before starting training?
In the case of theoretical training: a set of documents required by the ATO (eg copy of ID card, certificate of completion of the last school, signing a contract for training)
In the case of practical training: The above documents and a certificate of completion theory of aero medical judgment before the first solo flight.
What consists on the price of aviation training?
– airport charges
– remuneration instructor
– fuel
– aircraft insurance
– depreciation of aircraft
– CAMO
– the cost of keeping training
What aircraft is used for training?
Normally we use helicopters Robinson R-44 but can provide training for other types.
Why training takes place mainly on the Robinson R44?
Robinson R44 helicopter is a very popular type of aircraft, used by many private users and companies in Poland, as well as increasingly used for training in the Polish Aviation Training Organisations. On Robinson helicopters more than 85% of training centers in the United States provide their training. R44 is a versatile, economical to operate piston 4-seat helicopter, for which the cost to acquire a license is relatively small compared with other types of helicopters. With the development of the market you can also tie a career out of piloting a helicopter Robinson. Furthermore, the market analysis shows that after completion of training you will probably fly on a Robinson R-44 helicopter.
What is the difference between a professional license and private license?
In the case of professional license, you can use it for the commercial conduction of flights.
I am very busy. Can I go through training on an individual basis?
Yes, our instructors can adjust their time to the possibility of the student, both in theoretical and practical training.
What is the process of payment for training?
In the case of practical training PPL our Aviation Training Organization accepts payment in 3 installments (every 15 h up); and theoretical training is paid once before the training. Another common form is to finance training through a bank loan, and thus spreading it on installment payments.
Can I be trained in a different Organisation theoretical than practical training?
Yes. In this case, we need a certificate of completion of such training from the Organization, in which it took place.
In what period of time I must complete the entire training?
It depends on the type of training, mostly regulations do not limit the time in which training must be completed, but for example, training to obtain permission for a new type of helicopter must be completed within 6 months before the practical exam.
In what period of time I must pass exams in CAA after the training?
A year from date of issue of the certificate should be approached for exams in the CAA. The CAA gives 6 exam sessions (two weeks each) to be placed in time at own discretion. For each subject we have 4 approaches.
How internal examinations look like at the end of theoretical training?
Each of the subjects taught on theoretical training ends with an examination procedure. They have a multiple choice test form.
How do record my flight time?
During the training we provide practical training card, and after completing the pilot should maintain own pilot logbook. Registering your own flight hours in life is very important, especially for pilots who do not want to settle for getting the PPL and plan to acquire further ratings or commercial license. As a condition to qualify for modular commercial training or rating, it is necessary to provide pilot logbook with flight time on the level specified by legislation.