Advanced Training Options
At Yorkshire Helicopters, we offer a wide range of helicopter flight training, on top of the standard PPL(H) and CPL(H) courses. Getting your license to fly helicopters is a huge achievement, but really only the start of your training journey. We strongly advocate for the importance of continually refreshing and developing your piloting skills to avoid skill fade and expand your capabilities.
Type Ratings
So you have learnt to fly, but human nature means you would like a new challenge. Type Rating Training is a way of progressing onto different, usually larger, types of aircraft.
Robinson R44
The R44 is the next step up if you learnt to fly on a smaller type; larger, faster, more powerful, better range, and capable of carrying more passengers. The R44 opens doors for longer trips and more challenging landing areas. It’s also a great aircraft to be familiar with if you’re intention is to progress into a flying career as it’s heavily used commercially.
Bell 206 Jet Ranger
Moving on from the R44 and smaller piston aircraft, the next step is in to the jets, and the Bell 206 Jet Ranger is an excellent, affordable next step. This 5 seat classic can carry more weight and has a large luggage compartment. Perfect for weekends away or golfing trips. Although it flies similarly to the R44, the turbine engine will give you something extra to think about. If it’s a commercial license you’re heading for, a type rating on the 206 will put you ahead of the competition when it comes to potential work opportunities.
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Night Ratings
A night rating will allow you to fly during the hours of darkness under visual flight rules. Whether you’re looking to actually fly at night or just reduce the stress of having to be on the ground exactly 30 minutes after sunset, a night rating is a great way to extend your pilot skills, and will be a requirement for passing your CPL(H), if that is your intention.
Refresher Training
Once you’ve qualified, you will want to keep your skills sharp and continue to develop as an aviator. As well as ensuring that your skills remain at a level that makes you feel safe and confident in the air, it’s always recommended to refresh your experience of the more complicated procedures aswell, to ensure you sail through your annual proficiency checks each year.
Auto-rotations
Being proficient in Autorotation is not only a vital skill in itself, it is also great for general flying confidence. You can never practise these enough; alter range in Autorotation by use of speed and rotor rpm control. One of our Instructors will explain everything prior to flying. This is great to do prior to your annual proficiency check to impress the flight examiner with your knowledge & ability.
Confined Areas
This is the process of taking the helicopter to an unprepared landing site away from the airfield, where you will use all of your skill, knowledge, & airmanship. This is what helicopters do, it sets them apart from planes, and is important to master for your day to day flying.
Emergencies
Another thing you will be tested on during your annual proficiency check is your knowledge of the emergency procedures. It’s always good to spend time running through these in a simulated real-world scenario, in the air, to ensure you can translate your knowledge from the pilot’s operating handbook into good practice decision making when the stress of a potential emergency is more realistic.
Anything Else?
Something else in mind? Navigation, Airspace Crossings, Instrument Flying, Sloping Ground, Limited Power. There are lots of areas to be perfected, exercises that you wouldn’t usually conduct alone. Our instructors are not there to judge your current ability, but always happy to help you develop and offer advice.