Helicopter Pilot Training & Helicopter Flight Training

Private Pilots Licence (Helicopter) Course

Helicopter flying is the ultimate in flexible travel, so at Rise Helicopters we think it's important that this flexibility is reflected in your training experience with us.

With our Helicopter Private Pilot Licence (PPL (H)) Course, you can learn to fly from scratch or build on skills you've already acquired. We can train you through an intensive full-time course, or via segments designed round your particular needs.

Your training flights will be in a two-seater Robinson R22 helicopter, a four-seater Robinson R44, or in a five-seater B206 Jet Ranger. The Pilot Instructor assigned to you will remain with you for the duration of your course, providing a thorough grounding in theory with plenty of flight practice. This one-to-one support means you can build a friendly and productive partnership so that you feel completely at ease with every aspect of your journey toward fully fledged pilot status. As the number of flights increase you will be amazed at how easily the theory clicks into place.

The course consists of:

• A minimum of 45 hours flight time. If you already have a Private Pilot Aeroplane Licence you may be credited with up to six hours toward your helicopter licence, depending on how many flying hours you have.
• Ten solo flight hours within the 45 hours, including five hours of cross country flying.
• One solo flight within the ten hours must cover more than 100 nautical miles and must include landing at two aerodromes along the way.

Your course will cover the following subjects:

• Aviation Law and Operational Procedures
• Aircraft General Knowledge and Principals of Flight
• Flight Performance and Planning
• Navigation
• Meteorology
• Human Performance and Limitations
• Radiotelephony.

The likelihood is that you'll learn about these through a combination of lessons and training from your pilot instructor and self-study at home. You tell us your preferred method of learning and we'll ensure that you're equipped for the multiple-choice tests that you'll need to pass in each area as part of your qualification. You can obtain all the books and supplies you'll need from us.

Course Costs

You can learn on a "pay as you go basis" for maximum flexibility or pre-book a number of lessons to take advantage of our special advance booking rates.

Pay as you go £230 + VAT per hour
Advance Booking 10 hours or more £220 + VAT per hour
45 hours or more £220 + VAT per hour.
Course literature £200 (No charge with a booking of 45+ Hours)

Booking your Course

Simply give our Customer Service team a call on 01452 857083, or email If you need any more information before you book, or have any queries about any aspect of our flight training, we'll be delighted to talk through your options with you.

After Your Course

Once you've successfully completed your course, you'll be able to fly pretty much wherever you want, with a level of flying freedom that only a helicopter can give you.

To maintain your pilot status you'll need to complete 2 hours solo flying each year, and you can do this easily with Rise. Our helicopters are available for exclusive hire so you can keep flying using the same aircraft that you used for your training.

Trial Lessons

If you're interested in learning to fly but have never flown a helicopter before, how about having a trial lesson to find our what's involved? Ask us for a copy of our Air Experience Flights and Trial Lessons leaflet.

Information Packs

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Flight Training Part 1

Flight Training Part 2

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