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Black helicopter parked on a grass airfield

Helicopter CPL(H), land anywhere

Available

Rotary-wing training from PPL(H) to CPL(H), arranged through partner schools on request, subject to confirmed availability.

Rotary flying is a different career, not a smaller one: offshore, air ambulance, tourism, utility, VIP charter and government work.

  • LicencePPL(H) to CPL(H).
  • AvailabilityOn request, subject to confirmed availability.
  • LadderSix steps, medical first.
  • BudgetHour-intensive early; we plan for it honestly.
  • ConversionPlanned for your home regulator.
  • ParentsWelcome on every call.

What you get

Trained for the work operators do

Helicopter cockpit controls in flight

  • Ab-initio to commercial

    Piston trainers for ab-initio training and hour building.

  • Confined areas

    Confined-area, sloping-ground and mountain operations.

  • Night exposure

    Night and instrument exposure where the school supports it.

  • Test standard

    Autorotation proficiency to commercial test standard.

  • Crew skills

    Human factors and crew resource management.

  • Turbine differences

    Turbine differences training where the school offers it.

Who it's for

Is this programme for you?

Availability is confirmed with a partner school before anything is agreed.

  • You want a rotary-wing career rather than a fixed-wing one
  • You can hold, or are ready to take, a Class 1 medical
  • You are ready for an hour-intensive early stage and a realistic budget
  • You are an existing fixed-wing pilot adding rotary-wing training
Helicopter cockpit during a training flight

Step by step

From first hover to a commercial rotary licence

  1. 1
    Class 1 medicalThe same medical standard as fixed wing, cleared before any deposit is paid.
  2. 2
    PPL(H)Hovering, autorotations, confined-area work and cross-country navigation.
  3. 3
    Hour buildingCommand time across varied terrain and landing sites.
  4. 4
    Night ratingNight operations, essential for air ambulance and charter employers.
  5. 5
    Instrument Rating (H)IFR helicopter operations, the gateway to offshore and air ambulance work.
  6. 6
    CPL(H) and conversionCommercial skill test, licence issue and conversion at home.
Helicopter cockpit above a city at dusk

Where it leads

Where a CPL(H) takes you

Training aircraft controls in flight

Career path

Offshore energy

Crew transfer to rigs and platforms: structured, instrument-heavy flying.

Read more
Propeller aircraft in a hangar

Career path

Utility and survey

Powerline patrol, sling load, firefighting support and aerial survey.

Read more
Pre-flight check beside a training aircraft

Career path

Flight instruction

Teaching new pilots while you build command hours.

Read more

Questions

Questions about helicopter training

Is helicopter training available now?

Yes, on request. We arrange it through partner schools, subject to confirmed availability.

Is there a fee to talk to you?

No. The first counselling call to check eligibility and map your route costs nothing, and there is no deposit to talk to us.

Does a CPL(H) guarantee a job?

No. Employers make their own hiring decisions, and no one can guarantee employment.

Is the medical the same as for airplane pilots?

It follows the same Class 1 standard as fixed wing, and we advise you to clear it before paying any deposit.

Is it more expensive than airplane training?

Helicopter hours are costlier and the early stage is hour-intensive, so we plan the budget with you honestly before you commit.

Radio procedures practised in a cockpit
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