Privileges and conditions
A PPL for helicopters will allow you to act as pilot in command (PIC) or co-pilot in non-commercial operations on helicopters.
The exception to this is for holders of a PPL(H) with instructor or examiner privileges, who can be paid for the following:
- Flight instruction
- Conducting skill tests and proficiency checks
The above privileges are for the LAPL(H) or PPL(H) and any associated ratings and endorsements.
Experience requirements and crediting
If you don’t already hold a licence, you will need to complete 45 hours of flight instruction on helicopters, 5 hours of which may have been completed in an approved flight simulator (an FNPT or FFS), including at least:
- 25 hours of dual flight instruction.
- 10 hours of supervised solo flight time, including at least 5 hours of solo cross country flight time with at least 1 cross country flight of at least 185 km (100 NM) that includes 2 full stop landings at an aerodrome different from the departure aerodrome.
- 35 of the 45 hours of flight instruction have to be completed on the same type of helicopter used for the skill test.
Apart from the practice, theoretical training also has to be held – the same for LAPL(H) and PPL(H), carried out in parallel or before commencing flight training. It includes 12 hours of lectures and 88 hours of self-study with the help of publications, educational materials created by Helipoland and instructors who will be happy to explain any issues indicated.
After completing the theoretical training, 9 theoretical examinations must be passed at the seat of the Civil Aviation Office, which usually takes one to three days. The rules for passing examinations and the exam session plan for a given year can be found here (link).
List of theoretical examinations (link).
All training ends with a practical exam with an examiner of the Civil Aviation Office (usually less than 2 hours of flight), which takes place at the agreed airport, in Helipoland helicopter. The current list of practical examiners can be found here (link).
PPL(H) crediting if you hold a LAPL(H)
If you hold a LAPL(H), and are applying for a PPL(H) you must complete a course with a flight training school to include at least:
- 5 hours of dual flight instruction,
- At least 1 supervised solo cross-country flight, of at least 185km (100NM), plus full stop landings at 2 aerodromes different from the departure aerodrome.
PPL(H) crediting if you hold another licence
If you hold a pilot’s licence for another type of aircraft, except balloons, you will be credited with 10% of your total flight time as PIC up to a maximum of 6 hours. You will still need to complete 10 hours of supervised solo flight time, including at least 5 hours of solo cross country flight time with at least 1 cross country flight of at least 185 km (100 NM) that includes full stop landings at 2 aerodromes different from the departure aerodrome and 25 hours dual flight instruction as the credited flight time cannot be counted towards this requirement.
Keeping your licence current, and what to do if you don’t meet the requirements
» Find out more about keeping Your licence current
In the last 12 months, performed the following air operations:
- At least 2 hours as a pilot in the type of helicopter; and
- A practical exam extending a specific type of helicopter in the license.
If you do not meet one of the above requirements, you must meet the requirements given below correspond to the requirements above:
- Pass a skill test on a particular type of helicopter, taking a minimum of two hours of flight;
- Take refresher training at an Approved Training Organization.
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Training for the PPL(H) license in Helipoland will take place on Robinson R 44, which is the most popular helicopter in the world, especially in civil aviation. He is particularly appreciated for his economy and the fact that it is controlled gently and lightly, which provides incredible impressions and views. You will learn about many other advantages of this agile machine during classes in Helipoland.
Price of training on the R 44 helicopter (Raven I and Raven II): from about 21,000 EUR (price for people with appropriate documented aviation experience)
