How to choose the right helicopter training school
Becoming a helicopter pilot, and perhaps even qualifying as a commercial pilot, is an exciting yet difficult challenge. We tell you this not to discourage you from starting out flying, but rather to stress that accessing the best training possible is essential to success and getting an advantage, particularly if you wish to earn a living as a pilot. The quality of your training will be, quite simply, determined by your helicopter training school.
Here is the first of a series of helicopter training articles aimed at helping you make a better informed decision. Whether you are just starting out, or already have plenty of flying hours under your belt, the tips below on how to choose the right helicopter training school could prove invaluable.
DON’T choose a training school that promises you will walk into a job as soon as you have attained the minimum number of flying hours. There are plenty of opportunities to earn a living by flying a helicopter, but equally the industry is competitive, so finding a job isn’t guaranteed.
DO choose a training school which has quality facilities. You’ll potentially be investing a lot of time in your chosen school, where at times you’ll also want to relax in comfortable surroundings, as well as have access to top-notch learning equipment for those all-important theory exams.
DON’T choose a training school that promises you a flight instructor job with them after completion of your training. Flight training schools can’t offer jobs to all of their graduates, if they did, they would have more instructors than pilots. Central Helicopters only gives jobs to the very best pilots, after all, who else would you want training you?
DO choose a training school which has the experience of developing students who have consistently gone on to begin successful careers in the aviation industry.
DON’T choose a training school which has poorly maintained aircraft. Does the school have capable mechanics and seasoned, professional ground crew?
DON’T choose a training school which is too big to give you the time and attention you will need to achieve your pilot licences, and one too small to have adequate resources and the staff to support you.
During more than ten years, our family-run helicopter business has successfully trained hundreds of student pilots – and during this time, we’ve also been busy developing our Widmerpool heliport, which is now a state-of-the-art training facility.
We take an open, honest approach to training students. We don’t make wild promises, instead preferring realistic, open advice. Our friendly, knowledgeable team is here to guide you in the right direction, starting the very first moment you come and see us. Why not visit our heliport for a look around, an informal chat, and the chance to learn more about how you can begin taking your first steps to becoming a commercial helicopter pilot?
Learn more about our flight training, or call us on 01664 823846. To read more about our state-of-the-art heliport, go to www.nottinghamheliport.co.uk.
We hope you benefit from our guide on how to choose the right helicopter training school, and look out for our next helicopter training article.
