Superbikes star Peter Hickman takes helicopter trial lesson
Here at Central Helicopters, it’s not unusual for us to welcome some rich and famous visitors. From politicians to rockstars, we’ve had some very notable passengers touch down at our Nottingham HQ. But, our most recent celebrity arrival leaves them all in his wake, at least in terms of sheer speed!
British Superbike racer Peter Hickman, or ‘Hicky‘, as he’s known to his race fans, swapped his 188 mile-per-hour BMW S1000RR bike for our Robinson R22 helicopter. It was maybe a little slower than the race ace was used to, but mastering the controls of a helicopter for the first time is no mean feat.
After a safety briefing, ‘Hicky’ joined one of our most experienced pilots, Captain James Walley, for one of our most popular flight experiences, the 90-minute trial lesson. Once suitably briefed on the helicopter and procedures, it was time to put theory into practise, and try out some very different controls.
Peter, who is from near-by Burton-on-Trent, is currently competing in the British Superbike championship, but he shot to fame on the racing circuit by becoming the fastest ever newcomer at the Isle of Man TT with a fastest average lap speed of 129.1 mph.
Once touched down, he said: “I had an awesome time flying the R22. I’ve never been in a helicopter before, let alone flown one, but loved it. Central Helicopters were fantastic, and I’d recommend it to anyone.”
Captain James Walley said: “Peter was a natural. He wasn’t nervous or apprehensive about getting in and flying for the first time, but then again he is used to riding a race bike around a street circuit at 180mph, so perhaps you wouldn’t expect him to be!”
Remember, you don’t have to be a motorbike race hero to fly a helicopter. Our trial lessons are the perfect way to start flying, and they are suitable for just about anyone. Call the team on 01664 823846 to find out how you can follow in Peter’s footsteps, or find more information here.
- Published in Learn to fly
Pilot medical certificates
Nobody likes going to see the doctor, do they? It all brings back memories of depressing waiting rooms, stressed receptionists with a short fuse, and medical examinations.
If you are a pilot, or training to become one, you’ll only be too aware that a regular trip to see a doctor is essential so you can qualify for the relevant pilot medical certificates. While you can’t avoid the medical examination, here at Nottingham Heliport, in Widmerpool, we can at least offer you a friendly, relaxed environment to come to for that all-important Class 2 or LAPL Certificate.
We’ll also give you the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing your examination will be conducted by a highly-qualified aviation medical examiner (AME).
MEET OUR DOCTOR
Our aviation medical specialist is Dr Paddy Yeoman. Not only is Paddy an AME, qualified to carry out EASA Class 2 and LAPL pilot medicals, but he can also carry out specialist medicals for commercial cabin crew.
While Paddy is not advising pilots from all over the Midlands and the UK, he’s busy being a hospital consultant and specialising in anesthesia and intensive care. He is a passionate aviator himself. In fact, his love of flying began when he was just a child. Today he holds instructor ratings for gliders, motor gliders and microlights – in short, he knows a thing or two about flying and medicine.
WHAT’S NEXT
If you are based in the East Midlands, then why not consider us for that next examination at our state-of-the-art facilities? Unlike our flight training, we can’t promise you the time of your live, but we promise we’ll make the whole experience as quick and painless as possible.
LEARN MORE
Need more info about pilot medical certificates? Find out exactly what’s required for your next medical examination. Or, pick the brains of our team at Nottingham Heliport on 01664 823846.
- Published in Learn to fly, Medical certificates
Five reasons why being a helicopter pilot is the best job in the world
Have you always liked the idea of becoming a pilot? Slipping on the aviator shades, firing up the engines, and flying to whichever location takes your fancy? Well, here are five reasons why we think flying a helicopter is the best job in the world.
<h3>1. Because helicopters are very cool… do you remember the 80s?</h3>
OK, so perhaps it’s not quite Top Gun and a speeding F16 fighter jet, but helicopters and flying one has always had qudos, especially, for kids growing up in the 80s. They were the stars of TV shows such as AirWolf and Blue Thunder, and this glamour and exclusivity has continued with the increase of celebrity pilots such as film star Brad Pitt, whose ex Angelina Jolie bought him one to fly around.
<h3>2. Because you’ll be flying machines that cost more than palaces</h3>
There are all sorts of different helicopters manufactured these days. From light training aircraft, to attack helicopters, to high-end luxury, one thing is for sure, they are expensive… very expensive. From the AgustaWestland AW609 with a price tag of $14 million that cruises at a speed of 300 mph – that is around double the speed of a normal helicopter – to the giant Airbus H225 Super Puma that will set you back a cool $27 million. For that, you could well find yourself flying an 11-tonne beast, that can transport up to 20 passengers at any one time.
<h3>3. Because pilots fly in the most beautiful places on Earth</h3>
Do you ever catch yourself gazing out of the office window at the beautiful view? No, me neither, probably because there isn’t one. The same can’t be said for helicopter pilots whose view is pretty good, to say the least. Whether it is flying above the New York skyline, over active volcanoes in Hawaii, or taking in the Grand Canyon in Arizona, helicopter pilots work on a daily basis in the most spectacular location on Earth.
<h3>4. Because it’s not a plane.. it takes real skill</h3>
Flying an aeroplane is a bit like playing elaborate video games – you push a few buttons and it flies itself – whereas helicopters are much more delicate and potentially volatile. This requires a pilot to have precise mental and physical co-ordination. Only the best pilots fly helicopters.
Whether you are flying a group of excited tourists on a day-trip, navigating a storm while trying to land on an off-shore oil rig, or working as a test pilot, the job is unlikely to ever become boring. And, you never know, you might just land a job flying in one of those glamorous locations.
<h3>5. The pay is not bad either</h3>
While the starting salary (around £24-000-30,000) won’t exactly change your life, and you’ll have to hold off ordering your own AgustaWestland AW609, once a pilot is established, payback can come quickly. Starting salaries in the North Sea, where recruits are in demand to service oil and gas rigs, are around £45,000, and can rise to £100,000 at senior level.
Learn more about helicopter training with Central Helicopters. Talk to our friendly team on 01664 823 846.
- Published in (LAPL(H)), Flight Instructor training, Learn to fly
One resolution you’ll love to keep in 2017… learning to fly
We’ve all been there. After finishing off the year with a large slice of over-indulgence, we feel it’s time to get back on the scales, swap something sparkling for a smoothie, dust off your gym membership card, and start making some
real life-changing resolutions.
Fastforward to six weeks later, and our best-laid plans are in tatters. Those good intentions get overtaken by day-to-day events, lose their appeal, or are just simply too soul destroyingly boring to tolerate any longer.
Now, how about making a resolution that you’ll actually stick to? One that really grabs you, fills you with excitement, plays to your sense of adventure, represents a challenge, tests all your skill, and ultimately changes your life forever. We think we’ve got just the thing… make 2017 the year you learn to fly a helicopter.
If that sounds appealing, then there’s no better place to learn than at our Nottingham-based HQ, where we teach CAA-authorised PPL, LAPL, CPL and FI courses, at our modern, purpose-built flight training centre in Widmerpool.
Whether you like the idea of building a career in aviation, or are simply flying recreationally for the sheer joy of it, learning to fly is probably one of the most rewarding challenges you’ll ever undertake. Central Helicopters can take you as far as you want to go – we have got all levels of helicopter training covered.
The lowdown on licences…
If you’ve never flown before, then our trial lessons are the perfect place to start. You’ll have a safety briefing with one of our expert pilots, before climbing aboard one of our dual-controlled training helicopters to fly yourself. Get ready for an unforgettable experience, and prepare to catch the flying bug!
The PPL
If you have already experienced a trial lesson and the thrill of piloting a helicopter by yourself, then why not take the next step and obtain your own licence by training for the Private Pilot’s Licence PPL(H)? This will allow you to fly throughout Britain, and even Europe. You will be able to hire aircraft from us and other operators, and even take your family and friends along for the ride.
The LAPL(H)
Another popular pilot licence is the Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence LAPL(H), the requirements of which are not as demanding as the PPL(H). With a less stringent medical requirement (a “Part-Med”), this licence is valid within the EU for helicopters of less than 2,000 kg maximum take-off weight and carrying no more than three passengers.
The CPL(H)
For those of you who have dreamed of making a living from flying a helicopter, then this is the licence you’ll need.
The CPL(H) is required if you want to become a fully-fledged commercial pilot. The opportunities to fly commercially are varied, and include flying off-shore into oil rigs, to working for a helicopter tours company, to working as a flight instructor.
The FI
Becoming a flight instructor is one of the most rewarding challenges as a helicopter pilot. The training course leading to achieving the coveted Flight Instructor’s Certificate (FIC) is an intensive programme designed to develop the pilot’s flying skills, give a thorough understanding of all aspects of helicopter flight theory, as well as build presentation and teaching skills.
Why Central Helicopters?
Our family-owned helicopter tour and flight training company has been successfully training the next generation of pilots for a number of years, with one of their lead pilots, David Marsland, one such success story.
David, who has progressed through the various stages of flight training with Central Helicopters, including the FI licence, will be overseeing the 2017 training programme.
He said: “We are proud of our high success rates for newly-qualified pilots, which is based on giving more personalised training to smaller numbers of students.
“Students fly in our Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters from our our recently developed heliport, which includes our state-of-the-art training centre.”
However far you wish to pursue helicopter training, make learning to fly your 2017 resolution.
To learn more in the coming months about what’s involved in our helicopter training, and for expert advice from our instructor David Marsland, keep your eyes peeled to our blog.
Find out more, or call 01664 823 846.
LAPL – A QUICKER ROUTE TO FLIGHT TRAINING
There is an alternative available to the Private Pilot’s Licence if all you want to do is fly smaller helicopters and do not have any thoughts about progressing to larger machines or earning a living as a pilot. The Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence for helicopters (LAPL(H)) is designed for those who do not want to undertake a full PPL programme, and is also suitable for those who would like to fly who do not quite meet the medical requirements of a PPL.
The medical examination for an LAPL candidate is not quite as rigorous as the Class 2 medical needed for a full Private Pilot’s Licence. If you think that you might not be awarded a Class 2 Medical Certificate, don’t despair – you may still be able to fly! Have a chat with the Operations team at Central Helicopters for guidance – and don’t forget that we have an Aviation Medical Examiner visiting regularly, so advice is available.
The training programme for an LAPL(H) is slightly shorter than the PPL programme. You will need a minimum of 40 hours flight training, of which at least 35 must be on the helicopter type you take your Skills Test on. You can, therefore, do the bulk of your training on the Robinson R22 and give the R44 a try during the programme, which will stand you in good stead if you decide to do a type rating later on. At least 30 hours of the training must be dual (i.e. with an instructor) and at least 10 hours must be solo, including 5 hours of solo navigation training including an 80 Nautical Mile navigation exercise. You will still need to pass nine ground school exams. With the lower flight hours requirement, and the reduced medical requirements, there are limitations to the privileges on the licence. You can only fly EASA helicopters registered in the EU of less than 2,000 Kg Maximum Take Off Weight. You can only fly with a maximum of three passengers (plus pilot), so you would be limited to the R22 and R44 – or an aircraft like a Jet Ranger if there were never more than three passengers on board. You cannot be paid for any flying on an LAPL, so if you ever wanted to become a flight instructor or commercial pilot you would need to upgrade your medical certificate and undertake additional training to qualify for your PPL, CPL or FI licences. Central Helicopters are authorised to offer LAPL, PPL, CPL and Flight Instructor training. For advice on which is the best licence for your needs and aspirations please call 01664 823846 or pop in to see us for a chat. We will be more than happy to talk things through with you, without any obligation.
- Published in (LAPL(H)), Learn to fly, Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence for helicopters
SO YOU WANT TO BE A COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER PILOT?
Any commercial helicopter pilot will tell you that the view from their office window is the best in the world. They will also tell you that the path to getting that view is a big commitment. It is hard work, both in terms of the flight training and the home study required to gain the Theoretical Knowledge exams. And there is no getting away from it – there is a significant financial commitment as well. But is it all worth it – what are the prospects?
The answer to this will vary and may be different (one way or the other) by the time you qualify. In general terms, there is a demand for skilled and qualified helicopter pilots.
Most commercial helicopter pilots start their careers flying single engine helicopters such as the Robinson R44, Bell 206 Jet Ranger and AS350 Squirrel on charter flights, sightseeing flights, pleasure flights and aerial filming and photography missions. Every day is different with a range of different tasks. One day you may be taking a bride and groom to their wedding or students to their school prom. The next day you may be flying sponsors and guests in to a major event such as Royal Ascot or the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. You will have a wide variety of flights to undertake, all adding to your experience as a helicopter pilot and all adding to your flying hours.
Many pilots choose to stay in this sector of the industry and thoroughly enjoy the challenge of undertaking a different task every time they take to the air. Many more pilots use this experience and the flying hours they accumulate as a stepping stone to other sectors. And, having earned some money to offset the initial investment they can add additional qualifications to their licences such as Type Ratings for additional aircraft types, Flight Instructors Qualification, Instrument Rating or upgrading their CPL(H) to an ATPL(H) to enable them to pilot multi-crew aircraft.
There is currently a wide range of opportunities available to qualified and experienced pilots, both in the UK and across the world. These include:
- VIP and Corporate Charter, flying twin engine aircraft such as the Agusta 109 and EC135
- Flight Instruction, teaching the next generation of pilots to fly
- Air Ambulance – UK Air Ambulances have started operating at night as well as during the day, doubling their requirement for pilots
- Police – it is a myth that all Police pilots are ex-military. More and more are being recruited from the civilian world
- Search and Rescue – as the UK SAR service transfers totally to the private sector, more pilots are being recruited from the civilian sector
- Oil – the North Sea oil industry employs a large number of pilots and, as oil exploration expands in the Irish Sea, there is plenty of demand for pilots – and most of these are civilian trained
- Utilities – a large number of pilots are employed by companies conducting aerial surveys of, and maintaining, the UK’s gas pipeline and electricity networks, with an increasing number of pilots also being employed looking after the rapidly expanding wind turbine sector
It would be wrong to say that a CPL(H) qualification will guarantee you a job. You may not make your fortune in this industry. The situation may be different in a year or two’s time when you qualify. But it is fair to say that there is currently a good demand for helicopter pilots. Start that next step in your career – give Central Helicopters a ring and take that next step today!
- Published in Learn to fly
COULD YOU BECOME A HELICOPTER PILOT?
Are you looking for a career that’s fun, exciting and challenging? Or perhaps you have an interest in aviation and want to learn a new skill? If you have a strong desire to fly and excellent hand-to-eye coordination then helicopter pilot training could be for you.
Why Learn to Fly a Helicopter?
There are many reasons that you may want to learn to fly a helicopter. Flying a helicopter professionally is incredibly interesting and rewarding. It’s a career that allows for an unusual, varied and exciting lifestyle. If you’re not interested in a change of career, learning to fly a helicopter can still be a rewarding challenge. Getting a helicopter licence is an amazing personal achievement and can provide a logical progression from getting a fixed-wing pilots licence. Whatever your reasons for learning to fly a helicopter, it’s sure to be an exciting and interesting journey.
Getting Started
There are a number of ways to get started with your helicopter training. If you’ve never been up in a helicopter before, a pleasure flight can be a great way to get a taste of what the experience of flying is like. Helicopter pleasure flights also make great gifts for people who are interested in pilot training. Central Helicopters offer pleasure flights in Nottingham, the Peak District, the Lake District, Blackpool and Yorkshire, starting at just £30.
To get a real taste of what it is like to fly a helicopter, why not take a trial lesson? They are a great way to get behind the controls of a helicopter, without committing to training for a licence. Trial lessons from Central Helicopters range from 15 to 60 minutes flying time, along with a pre-flight briefing and presentation of a certificate on completion. If, after your trial lesson, you decide that pilot training isn’t for you, nothing is lost and you’ve still experienced something incredible! If you wish to continue with training, your flying time in the trial lesson can count towards the requirements for the Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL(H)).
Which Licence?
With Central Helicopters, you can choose to train for your Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL(H)) or Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL(H)).
The PPL(H) is the logical progression from a helicopter trial lesson. Once you have this licence, you will be able to hire an aircraft and take your family and friends for flights, flying all over Britain and Ireland. In order to obtain a PPL(H), you will have to complete a minimum of 45 hours flight time (including 10 hours solo), then take a test with a CAA approved Flight Examiner.
If you would like a career flying helicopters, you will need to get your CPL(H). This is often the next step for people after they have achieved their PPL(H). In order to get your CPL(H), you must be over 18 and currently hold a PPL(H). You must also have completed at least 155 hours flying time in helicopters and have passed the CPL(H) theoretical knowledge exams. Training will consist of 30 hours dual flight instruction.
- Published in Learn to fly