helicopter flying

Kingsfield Helicopters

Instruction on rotary wing aircraft (helicopters!) is provided by Kingsfield Helicopters Ltd. The training fleet currently includes two Robinson R22s and an R44. We have three full-time instructors, Russell Hogan, Alan Bell and Guy Stephens.

training rates

The current hiring and instruction rates can be found on our fleet page

the helicopter pilot

The helicopter pilot typically learns in a two-seat training aircraft (often the ubiquitous R22) Typically, after about 10-20 hours of instruction (usually starting with 30 min or 1 hr trial flight) in basic handling, take offs and landings, and importantly, how to cope with emergencies, a student will “go solo”, i.e. make their first flight as pilot in command without an instructor in the aircraft. No pilot ever forgets their first solo. Further flights introduce the art of cross country flying and practical navigation. These flights culminate in a cross country navigation exercise and the general flight test. Students can participate in club flyouts (accompanied by an instructor) and have any flying time credited toward their minimum hours requirement. On completion of training. The successful pilot gains a PPL.

Note that MOST pilots require more than the bare minimum hours of training to pass their GFT - 45-50 is a more realistic figure.

After gaining a license, the helicopter pilot typically continues to hire the aircraft that they learned on (now at the cheaper hiring rate as you are no longer paying for an instructor) and gain experience. They may convert onto a 4-seat type instead of the two-seat trainer so that they can take family and friends flying.