History of JK
History of JK
I am James Kenwright, also known as “JK” the founder of JK Helicopter Training. I launched a career in helicopter flying in 1991 and have been flying full time ever since.
I initially did my PPL(H) in England and then travelled to the USA to do a CPL(H) and Instructor rating. In those days it was much cheaper to take this route, because as an instructor you could build hours quickly and be paid for it much sooner than in the UK.
I had enrolled at the largest helicopter flight training school in the USA, based in California. They had 17 Robinson 22 helicopters and 14 instructors. On completion of the necessary licences I was offered a job at the same school. I was then called into the office after just 2 weeks of working for them for a “chat”. I had no idea what the problem was. The Managing director and Operations Director were there. They said in disbelief... “you’ve done 76 hours of flight training in the last 14 days?!”... I said “yes, that is correct” oblivious to where this conversation was going... “Are you taking any breaks?” they asked... “Oh ok”... I thought... they must think I am flying too much and are concerned about my welfare.
Three months later I applied for a different visa with a 50/50 chance of success. I got lucky, which allowed me to continue working at the school and stay in the USA. They had a rule at this school, that after 1000 hours you have to leave to allow a new instructor to come in, one they had recently trained up. It always puzzled me why I was still there, as I pushed through the 1000 hour mark. I then became their “engine off guy”. I would sit in the circuit for hours and hours doing autorotations onto the tarmac with students. I also became their “last chance saloon guy”. Any students who were considered unteachable, were sent to me. I recognised that learning to fly is achievable for nearly everyone if you approach it from the right direction instilling self belief and confidence. One of the students who was on the edge of giving up, went on to become a commercial helicopter pilot. My ego was not going to let anybody slip though my fingers... and nobody did.
I came back to the UK in 1994 with 2000 hours and quickly converted all the licences to the UK equivalent. I then went on to work around most of the London based airports working as an instructor and commercial pilot in single and twin engine helicopters. I would typically fly around the UK mainland, picking people up from their gardens and dropping them off at Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, Birmingham etc. or at another private garden or hotel location. It was very exciting work, because if a helicopter was needed, something important was going down and the pilot was at the centre of it. Politicians, musicians, actors and captains of industry. With some of my passengers on board I would be painfully aware that I would be on the BBC news that night if I should have to do a precautionary landing on account of a warning light coming on. I was destined to drive in the middle lane and had just been shoved in the fast lane, with a constant stream of high achievers and the British weather. I was being exposed to a life style that hadn’t been forecast for me. Life was fast paced and I was living off my wits.
In August 2015 I decided to go against the advice of my PPL(H) instructor all those years ago in High Wycombe in 1991. He was experienced, had been flying his whole life and knew I had helicopter career ambitions. As I left the building having just acquired my PPL(H) licence, he shook my hand and said: “A word of advice my friend - don’t ever buy a helicopter or set up a helicopter company”. In 2015 I went and did both and founded JK Helicopter Training Ltd. He was referring to the costs associated with this sport of course. But setting up JK is one of the best things I have ever done, helping people reach for the skies and live their lives on another level or in a faster lane...
...and today, after 11,500 hours of helicopter flying, I still feel the same rush every time I go up. We’re not here forever and we should all go and do something amazing - everybody should experience the thrill of flight in their lifetime.
As a very good friend of mine says:
“You are the narrator of your own story. You hold the pen
Act Boldly Today - time is limited “
