Student Info

Yes, but if we are flying en route somewhere, there is no time to try hovering and seeing all the clever things a helicopter can do. Most flights are performed close to the airfield. It’s your choice of course.

If you would like to fly a longer route and also would like to try hovering and other cool stuff, than we recommend to book a longer trial lesson.

Seat weight limits are 109kg in the R22 and 136kg in the R44.

It might be possible to upgrade to the R44.

The R22 is cheaper and has room for pilot plus one

The R44 is a bit more expensive but you can bring a passenger in the back as it has room for pilot plus 3 if you are doing a trial lesson.

The R22 is a basic trainer and is a great little helicopter that has launched thousands of careers. The R44 is much more powerful and faster but may cost you an extra 10k over the PPL(H) course. Note that you can learn in an R22 and do a 5 hour type rating on the R44 after PPL acquisition. If you are considering purchasing an R44 then you should do the training in the R44.

If you have average coordination you will be able to do this.

Please feel free to bring sunglasses. It is better to have sunglasses with thin aide arms as they are more comfortable when wearing a headset.

You may begin training at any age but a UK PPL(H) cannot be issued until you are at least 17 years old.

• A valid Class 2 Medical Certificate is required before going solo. We would help you acquire the medical after about 15 hours of training.
• No previous flying experience is required — training is designed for complete beginners. Aeroplane pilots will find flying the helicopter fairly straight forward, but all the manoeuvres below 40 kts will be new and the challenge.

Please see ‘Training Page’ on this website for further information.

If you are interested in training you can start straight away. But if you are a child you may not be able to reach the pedals. In this case you may want to wait until you are 14. At this age you can start logging the instruction towards the licence. You will not be allowed to go solo until you are 16.

The first place to start is by doing a trial lesson. We can assess your ability in the trial lesson. Some people just go up for the one flight as a life experience. The different trial lessons that we offer have the same content, but you fly for longer. The trial lesson times quoted are in the air times. You will have an opportunity to fly the helicopter at altitude with turns and airspeed changes. We will make an approach to an off-airport location and spend some time practising the hover.

Your first lesson includes a briefing, an introduction to the helicopter, pre-flight checks, and the opportunity to try the basic flight controls under instructor supervision.

Your first lesson includes a briefing, an introduction to the helicopter, pre-flight checks, and the opportunity to try the basic flight controls under instructor supervision.

Many students train part-time alongside work or study. Regular lessons generally lead to better progress. You should fly at least once a week to prevent “skills fade”. The time needed to complete training depends on your availability, the weather, and lesson frequency. Most students take several months to over a year. Students typically range from 53 hours to 80 hours to acquire the licence.The legal minimum flight training requirement is 45 hours, although many students need additional hours to reach the required test standard

Training flights and trial lessons may be rescheduled due to poor weather or technical/engineering reasons. If a flight is rescheduled there is no charge. We will contact you if this occurs. Safety always comes first.

Glasses or contact lenses are acceptable for both trial lessons and PPL training flights. If training for a private pilot’s licence, your eyesight will be checked as part of the medical examination. You will be asked to read the chart with your glasses on.

Comfortable clothing and flat, closed-toe shoes are recommended for flying lessons. Trainers are good. You won’t need a coat so that can be stored under the seat. We can control the temperature in the aircraft.

Friends and family can come airside and see the helicopter if they so wish. They will have to watch the take off from the Aviator Cafe though.

We train pilots from Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, Bristol, Birmingham, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire and Wales and London area, and from around the world.