| For most people who learn to fly helicopters, getting | | | | - Ferrying workers to oil rigs |
| their private licence will be sufficient challenge. For | | | | Commercial helicopter training is hard work |
| someone with the commitment to go beyond this | | | | Now you've got a taste for this exciting career, you |
| stage and make a career with helicopters, commercial | | | | need to focus on training. |
| helicopter training will be the next stage; here are five | | | | 1. First, you'll need to hold a private helicopter licence. |
| key steps towards making your dream of holding a | | | | 2. Next, you'll need to build 155 hours' flight time. |
| commercial pilot licence for a helicopter come true: | | | | 3. Then comes commercial training. In the UK, this |
| Have you got what it takes for commercial helicopter | | | | typically involves the CPL(H) modular course and |
| pilot training? | | | | passing ground exams. |
| Skill and aptitude are essential. Flying is only part of the | | | | You'll then need to find a job. It isn't easy; after |
| job and you must remember the importance of ground | | | | helicopter training in the UK, pilots forever find |
| work, ongoing training, safety, maintenance and | | | | themselves caught between 'needing experience to |
| customer service too. The nature of the industry | | | | get a job and needing a job to get experience'. The |
| means that, as a commercial helicopter pilot, you must | | | | answer lies in your ability, persistence, sales skills, and |
| be able to relocate to where the work is, work | | | | willingness to do whatever it takes to build flying hours. |
| irregular shift patterns and always give priority to | | | | Accumulating hours for your CPL(H) |
| safety. | | | | The 155 hours' flight time needed for a CPL(H) can |
| Build a rewarding career with your commercial | | | | include the hours involved in getting a private licence; |
| helicopter licence | | | | the remainder are normally gained by hiring helicopters. |
| Getting your commercial helicopter license opens the | | | | During this time, you may also be able to take |
| door to a potentially rewarding career. Initially, you'll find | | | | additional helicopter courses to improve your skills. |
| yourself working hard to get hours and experience. | | | | The benefits of becoming a helicopter flight instructor? |
| With the right attitudes, experience (and a bit of luck) | | | | Having achieved a commercial licence, you could also |
| you could eventually find a challenging commercial | | | | obtain your Flight Instructor's rating. Getting this |
| position in the UK or abroad: | | | | qualification will give you access to the helicopter |
| - Flying visitors to sporting events | | | | training market; it's also a great way to build valuable |
| - Inspecting electricity power lines | | | | flight time and improve your own skills. To train as an |
| - Supporting oil and mineral exploration | | | | instructor you'll need the following: |
| - Heli-ski and heli-hiking operations | | | | - To have passed the Helicopter Commercial or |
| - Heli-logging | | | | ATPL(H) ground exams. |
| - Executive transfer | | | | |