Private Pilot's License for Helicopters - PPL(H)
The Private Pilot’s Helicopter Licence is known as a PPL(H). It is a Civil Aviation Authority approved helicopter training course. The CAA is the regulatory body for aviation in the UK. Regardless of where you choose to learn to fly, the same syllabus must be taught to achieve your objective of becoming a helicopter pilot.
Once completed and passed, your PPL(H) will allow you to pilot a helicopter for your own business or pleasure with friends and family. Your PPL(H) allows you to fly throughout the UK and Europe.
What Does The PPL(H) Course Involve?
- The minimum number of flight hours for the issue of PPL(H) is 45, of which 25 must be dual instruction and 10 solo.
- Of the 10 hours solo flying, 5 have to be navigational practise including a ‘cross country’ exercise of at least 100 nautical miles. For this part, you will be landing away at two alternative airfields.
- During your 45 hours training you will learn a variety of different air exercises, from the obvious achievements such as learning to hover a helicopter, through to navigation and landing at off airfield landing sites such as hotels and restaurants.
- You will need to successfully complete nine multiple-choice theoretical knowledge examinations, plus you will have a radiotelephony licence for using the radio to communicate in flight.
- A Class 2 Medical Certificate will be required before you fly solo. We can help arrange this with a local Medical Examiner.
- Once you have accomplished a competent level of flying, you will gain your PPL(H) after successful examination with our CAA approved examiner.
Course Summary
The PPL(H) course is the minimum requirement to be able to fly helicopters without the supervision of an instructor and the first step towards any career aspirations.
Non-commercial Use Only
Minimum Age (to pass) - 17
Class-2 Medical Required *
9 Theoretical Exams
Minimum 45 Hours Flight Time
Minimum 10 Hours Solo Time
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course, this is merely an overview of the basic requirements. There are so many amazing experiences to be had as a helicopter pilot, whether you choose it as a profession or as a whole new means to travel. You will, without doubt, have a great many questions. Our ever-evolving helicopter pilot FAQ can be found below to help cover just some of the questions that prospective helicopter pilots often ask us. However the best way to learn more is to simply give us a call, arrange a convenient time to visit and chat about your ambitions and perhaps even take the first step with a trial lesson.
Q. Where Will I Be Learning
A. Our home base is Leeds East Airport. A former RAF base, Leeds East is now privately owned and ever evolving. It’s home to a wide array of businesses, both aviation and non-aviation related and there is always something interesting happening.
The airfield is not ‘controlled’ but does have a control tower and opperates an ‘air-ground’ radio which means pilots can quickly learn the art of the radio talk, in a real airfield setting, without the pressure felt at busy international airports.
Q. How Long Will It Take?
A. In order to hold a helicopter license, you legally need to complete a minimum of 45 hours training. In reality, it is very rare that students complete their training in this amount of time. What we (and the examiners) are most concerned about is ensuring that you meet the required standards to fly safely, and there are a range of factors that affect how long it typically takes for people to meet that standard.
Everyone is different, with differing demands on their time and varying learning rates. It may well take you a little longer and that doesn’t make you any less of a helicopter pilot. The main factor is the frequency and consistency with which you plan your lessons.
Think of your new helicopter licence in the same way as your driving licence – You’ve passed a test that enables you to begin an entirely new era of experiences and learning.
Your PPL(H) is simply the start, there is so much more to experience and learn. Above all, enjoy the journey.
Q. How Much Will It Cost?
A. Our pricing will vary from time to time depending on fuel pricing. There are no additional fees such as landing fees or circuit fees on top of our rate, so you only pay when you fly, this includes time on the ground for briefing and debriefing.
You can either pay as you go or you can save by going for a prepayment block of 10 hours. We don’t do any deals for more than 10 hour blocks as we don’t think it’s right to hold student’s money in that way and honestly, you should be wary of any school that offers this.
For a comprehensive breakdown of our costs, take a look at the pricing page
Q. What Are The Medical Requirements?
A. You will need a Class 2 Medical Certificate before your first solo flight. If you are generally in good health and there is no reason to suspect you would not pass a medical then it is generally ok to begin training.
There are many locations across Yorkshire to obtain a medical and indeed, your own doctor may well be qualified to do this. We can advise on this if you need assistance.
Don’t worry if you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, this is generally perfectly fine for flying.
Q. What About The Exams?
A. Everyone hates exams, and they are often the element of learning that new helicopter pilots dread the most. In fact, the nine tests you need to pass for your licence are easily within reach of anyone of average aptitude.
You don’t need any special academic qualifications and while the studying may be one of the less exciting parts of flying, it isn’t as difficult as it may seem.
We can also recommend a great ground school that we work with if you’d rather work with an instructor on your theoretical knowledge.
Q. Will I Need Any Study Materials?
A. On commencement of training we will advise you the best materials to buy which can be purchased online or on occasion we may have a few in stock.
This usually comes in the form of a flight bag containing a book dedicated to each theoretical knowledge subject, a blank logbook, a ruler, a protractor and a flight computer.
Try and bring these with you each time you are booked in.
INTERESTED IN TRAINING?
OR FINDING OUT MORE?
If you’re interested in learning to fly, whether you’re just playing to a curiosity, playing through your options or already fully committed; we’re here for you.
Click the button to find out where we go from here…
* While it is now possible in certain circumstances to obtain and hold a PPL(H) without having a Class-2 medical, we believe it represents a fair and respectable minimum standard for assuring you are fit to fly.