Opinions wanted on UK integrated CPL(H) courses

"Simon Robbins" wrote in message
...
"Beav" wrote in message
...
I doubt even TRYING to do it in the UK would work well, purely from a
weather point of view. Too many variables to be able to plan a schedule
that's even close to be a realistic one.

I see you point, but the flying colleges offering integrated courses seem
to
have established successful schedules that work. I know a couple of people
who have managed it here, mainly because the VFR conditions for
helicopters
are not as restrictive as those for light fixed wing.

But the restriction on wind is still pretty tight, particularly on heli's
like the Robbie 22. IIRC, it's about 23knots for a student/instructor, but I
could be wrong and things could've changed.

Plus I've heard that
converted foreign CPL licences aren't particularly well looked upon by UK
based fleet operators.

That's very true.

However, I have thought about doing my PPL(H) abroad as a first step
before
jumping in with both feet and doing CPL training full-time.

It'll work out a LOT less expensive, and I'll still wager a lot more quickly
too. Flying in Arizona is almost an everyday guarantee.

Getting your PPL ratified over here shouldn't be much of an issue after
that.

Beav

"Beav" wrote in message
...

Getting your PPL ratified over here shouldn't be much of an issue after
that.

I spoke to CabAir about doing the three-week PPL course with their affiliate
school in Florida. They said at the moment they can't award a JAR
certificate, on an FAA one for it, mainly because FAA teaches difference
procedures for auto-rotations*, but I'd only need an extra five hours bac in
the UK to meet JAR requirements.

(* apparently in the US you don't have to put the ship on the floor when
practcing an auto, but in the UK you do.)

Si

"Simon Robbins" wrote in message
...
"Beav" wrote in message
...

Getting your PPL ratified over here shouldn't be much of an issue after
that.

I spoke to CabAir about doing the three-week PPL course with their
affiliate
school in Florida. They said at the moment they can't award a JAR
certificate, on an FAA one for it, mainly because FAA teaches difference
procedures for auto-rotations*, but I'd only need an extra five hours bac
in
the UK to meet JAR requirements.

(* apparently in the US you don't have to put the ship on the floor when
practcing an auto, but in the UK you do.)

And those R22 auto arrivals are scary. doing them in an Enstrom is a joy,
coz you've got to work REALLY hard to make a pigs ear of it. Massive amounts
of inertia in those big heavy blades.

I still think it'd be an easier (and probably cheaper) solution to get your
PPL over the pond, then "do the necessary" to get your CAA licence, but
whichever route you take, have the very best of luck with it. That's
something I could've used 18 years ago.


Beav