HELICOPTER PILOTS

Although fixed-wing aircraft receive all the attention by most historians, helicopter flight was the first flight envisioned by man. In fact, the ancient Chinese were playing with a hand-spun toy that rose upward when revolved rapidly and as early as the mid 1500's, the great Italian inventor Leonardo Da Vinci had used his fertile mind to make drawings of a machine that we now know as the helicopter.

A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors or propellers. Helicopters are classified as rotary-wing aircraft to distinguish them from conventional fixed-wing aircraft. The word helicopter is derived from the Greek words helix (spiral) and pteron (wing). The engine-driven helicopter was invented by the Slovak inventor Jan Bahyl. The first stable, fully-controllable helicopter placed in production was invented by Igor Sikorsky.

Compared to conventional fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters are much more complex, more expensive to buy and operate, relatively slow, have shorter range and restricted payload. The compensating advantage is maneuverability: helicopters can hover in place, reverse, and above all take off and land vertically. Subject only to refueling facilities and load/altitude limitations, a helicopter can travel to any location, and land anywhere with a clearing a rotor disk and a half in diameter.

Types of helicopters

Light Piston-engined Types - Helicopters such as the Enstrom, Schweizer 300 and Robinson fall into this      category having 2 or 3 seats, low initial costs and an 80-110mph speed range. It is the restricted seating      capacity which often leads to their being outgrown by the private flyer, and they are less viable as corporate      and charter machines. However they remain very popular for training and private use, and are excellent      introductions to the world of helicopter travel.

Light turbine helicopters - Aircraft such as the Eurocopter Squirrel, McDonnell Douglas 500E and the Bell (or      Agusta-Bell) Jet Ranger are widely flown in the world.

Twin Engined Helicopters - When you move into the world of twin engines (modern designs are all turbine      driven these days), you enter a different market and price bracket. For the extra you get a faster, safer      machine.

Private Helicopter Pilot’s License (PPL H)
The PPL (H) courses compromises both flying and a series of ground school subjects. These are designed to offer the student the handling skills required, together with a comprehensive understanding of the helicopter.

The minimum requirements are:
17 years of age
Aviation medical
50 hours minimum flying time (including 15 hrs of solo)
PPL exam
Restricted radio license

Commercial Helicopter Pilot’s License (CPL H)
The CPL is designed for those who wish to make a career of flying helicopters.

The minimum requirements are:
18 years of age
Aviation medical (commercial)
200 hours of flying, including 100 hours solo
General radio license
CPL Exams

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