Meet Our Team
- Flying Experience
- 21,000 Hours+
- Years Experience
- 65+
- Professional Instructors
- Highly Experienced
James Kenwright
I founded JK Helicopter Training because I believe learning to fly should be inspiring, rewarding and accessible to anyone with the determination to succeed.
My helicopter career began in 1991, and after completing my Commercial Pilot Licence and Instructor Rating in California, I quickly built experience as a professional instructor before returning to the UK. Since then, I’ve accumulated over 11,500 flying hours, working as both a commercial charter pilot and flight instructor across a wide range of helicopter operations.
Throughout my career I've been privileged to serve as Chief Pilot, Chief Flying Instructor, Head of Training, Flight Safety Officer, Ground Examiner and Flight Examiner. I was also a Founding Member of Rise Helicopters, where I built the AOC charter operation and Flight Training Organisation from the ground up, developing its training programmes and overseeing flight operations.
I was also chief pilot for Elite Helicopters, one of the largest charter companies in the country.
I've flown VIP charter operations throughout the UK, trained civilian and military pilots from around the world, and helped hundreds of students achieve what many believed was beyond their reach.
One thing I've learned over the years is that successful pilots aren't born - they're developed through the right coaching, confidence and mindset. Flying both single and twin-engine helicopters in demanding operational environments has given me a depth of experience that I now bring to every student.
Today, I bring all of that experience into every lesson at JK Helicopter Training. Whether you're taking your first trial lesson or working towards a professional career, my goal is simple: to give you the skills, confidence and support to become the safest and best pilot you can be.
I still get the same excitement every time I lift off. I hope I can help you experience that feeling too.
Ewan Garratt
My name is Ewan Garratt and I’ve been an instructor at JK Helicopter Training for the past ten years, helping students achieve their goals of becoming safe, skilled and confident helicopter pilots.
I started flying in 2011 after I was given a 30 min trial lesson for my birthday. I'd never considered flying helicopters before, but for me, the lesson felt like love at first sight. The sense of freedom while floating around in a little bubble was incredible. I also liked that it required a lot of focus and coordination skills and hovering especially presented a real challenge. It was addictive and I was hooked, so I decided to get my licence and work towards making flying my career.
Now, many years and thousands of hours flying later, I still love it just as much. New students present new challenges, one flight is never exactly the same as another and that feeling of being up in the air never gets old. It opened up a whole new world to me of interesting people, beautiful scenery and interesting trips (often just for lunch). Flying a helicopter made me feel more confident because if I could fly a helicopter, I could do anything.
The sky isn't the limit, it's where I make my home and play.
Leigh Patrick
Flying helicopters has never just been my career — it has been my passion and my purpose. Over the years, I've been fortunate to build a career that has taken me from commercial flight instruction to corporate and VIP operations, air ambulance (HEMS) missions, commercial charter, and advanced helicopter training. With more than 5,200 flying hours, experience flying aircraft including Robinson 22 and 44, the Bell 206, AS350, AW169 and MD902 Explorer, and over 3,100 hours of flight instruction, I've had the privilege of training pilots, conducting emergency medical missions, and operating in demanding real-world environments where professionalism, precision and sound judgement are essential.
Today, my greatest satisfaction comes from passing that experience on to the next generation. I believe that becoming a great pilot is about far more than learning to fly — it's about building confidence, discipline, resilience and a safety-first mindset that will serve you throughout your career. I set high standards because aviation demands excellence, but I'm equally committed to giving every student the support, knowledge and confidence they need to succeed.
Whether you're taking your very first lesson or working towards a professional career, I'm here to help you become the pilot you aspire to be.
As Head of Training, Leigh leads and supports every Ground School student on their journey to becoming a pilot. Discover what makes our Ground School experience exceptional — click below to learn more.