Helicopter Training School
Introduction
Helivation Training operates from Blackpool airport in Lancashire. We have a variety of different helicopters and very experienced staff who can take you right from your first trial lesson flight, to a fully qualified private or commercial helicopter pilot. We can provide helicopter flying lessons in a variety of helicopter types and for all types of licence. We can also complete your Licence Proficiency Checks (LPC) on a variety of different helicopter types from right here in Blackpool.
Use the main menu above to access the Trial Lesson Voucher and FAQ pages
Learning to fly a helicopter requires no previous experience or academic qualification as we will guide you through all the necessary parts for the issue of your helicopter licence. The only requirement is that you are able to pass a medical exam to ensure that you are fit to fly.
Blackpool is ideally positioned for your flying lessons as it is an international airport with all the associated safety systems and is 'helicopter-friendly' such that the efficiency of helicopter training flight is not affected. This gives you invaluable experience of dealing with other aircraft and Air Traffic and Radar Control but also provides rapid access to a very large area of uncontrolled airspace to the North and East.
Helivation Training offers all types of helicopter flight training from Private (PPL) and Commercial pilot licences (CPL) to advanced courses such as helicopter night rating, type rating, instrument training, LPC, FHT, line and base checks and even mountain training.
We operate Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters for flight training which is available for all students, both national and international and we can assist you with the relevant Student Visa if required.
Helicopters do not need an airfield, so you can land at thousands of places across the UK not accessible to aeroplanes. Landing sites include hotels, restaurants and country clubs, golf courses, and it is this accessibility that makes helicopter travel so appealing.
Having completed your EASA PPL (H) you do not need to buy your own helicopter as you can self-fly hire although owning and operating your own helicopter is only comparable to a luxury car!
The PPL (H) is the foundation for all your future flying, whether that is for purely recreational, private ownership or commercial purposes. It is the basic qualification that all helicopter pilots have to achieve first and it then opens up the world of helicopter flying to you.
What's Involved?
In order to qualify for the issue of a PPL(H) you must complete the following:
- A minimum of 45 hours flight training; of which at least 10 hours must be solo flight and also includes instrument flying.
- Pass nine ground school subjects More info.
- Obtain a Class 2 medical - More info.
- Obtain a Radio Licence - More info.
- Pass a qualifying solo cross-country flight and a skill test.
Helivation Training is pleased to provide flight training and ground school, structured to your personal requirements on a one-to-one basis with our highly qualified and experienced team. All training is focused towards what you will need to become a safe pilot, we DON’T just focus on what you need to attain the licence; we want you to be safe and knowledgeable. Our flight training and ground school is available at times to suit you i.e. during the evening or during the day for those that want to get away from the stress of work!
The Flying
Lessons are normally scheduled in two hour slots, which include 1hr flying, and 30min pre and post flight briefings. But then again it can be longer if required; there is no rushing in quality training. The pace is entirely up to you and you will not be forced to rush any stage of your training.
Helivation Training is open 7 days a week and during the summer months we are open till late.
How do I get Started?
If you have not already had a hands-on helicopter trial lesson, we suggest that you book one of these. Time spent on your trial lesson can be logged and used towards the hours needed to learn to fly. During the trial lesson you will be at the controls with your instructor, experiencing the true freedom of helicopter flying!
You will then progress through various exercises and the flight training mentioned previously, all leading to your very first solo flight. This is an experience that you will never forget. Anyone who has learnt to fly will be able to describe in great detail when and where they did their first solo!
The Skill Test
On completion of your flying you will take a Skill Test. Your flying at this stage will be well above the standard required to enable you to demonstrate to the Examiner that you can fly safely and competently. The Skill Test consists of flying specific manoeuvres and demonstrating the techniques that you have learnt throughout the PPL (H) course.
Want to Find out More?
Our team of instructors are on hand 7 days a week to answer your questions. Feel free to call or email us any time and perhaps arrange to visit us and have a look round our facilities.
Once you have licence, you are able to take a helicopter and fly wherever you want to! Flying to a variety of interesting and unusual locations will help you to build upon your knowledge that you gained during your training. This period in your flying development is known as either 'hour building' or just having fun with your friends or family!
You may wish, at a later stage, to take more advanced courses, but these courses are much more beneficial after you have some additional experience and time to enjoy your new skills. You could take trips to hotels in the Lake District, drop in on friends, visit the Isle of Man, France or Spain! Use it just like a hire car...why not, you are the pilot!
Also have a look at our new Discounted Positioning Flights page for many heavily discounted hour building opportunities.
Having gained your licence you may wish to spread your wings and convert to a larger helicopter. Other types of helicopter can open up new possibilities for your flying. Some may have more seats or be bigger, faster and be more powerful. You will therefore require some brief but very specialist training which we are able to provide for you.
Each new type requires a minimum of five hours training with your own personal flight instructor, a multiple choice exam and a flight test with a CAA approved examiner.
A night training course will simply allow you to fly at night. It is a very different world out there at night and you will require extra training in the use of the helicopters instrumentation and additional piloting skills to suit the night flying environment.
The entry experience requirement for this course is the pilot will have a minimum of 100 hours of flight time as pilot of helicopters after the issue of the PPL(H), including 60 hours as pilot in command of helicopters and 20 hours cross-country flight.
We believe that helicopter pilots can always benefit from additional training, whether you have 45 or 45,000 hours there is always something new to learn. We therefore positively encourage and foster an environment where advanced training and support is always available. This is especially important for a new licence holder as you will be legally able to take the controls of a helicopter, take passages to a height of up to 10,000ft and fly them all over the world but will likely not feel 100% comfortable with this!
We all need help and guidance on how to progress through this and Helivation Training are here to support and help all our students long after being qualified. This support is given free to all so please use whatever we have and please ask as many questions as possible...no question is a stupid question when aviation is involved!
We all started just as you are doing - by walking through the door for the first time and being new to the industry.
For more information on any of our training, please contact us or give us a call.
