Does anyone know anything about Heli Air?

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Does anyone know anything about Heli Air?

Ethan Goldsobel 10/09/2003, 5:16 PM
I was wondering if anyone knows anything about the reputation and quality of training of the Heli Air Flying School in Denham for CPL training?

Also may be a stupid question but is there a difference between doing a flight instructor course and an assistant flight instructor course or are they the same thing but more specifically you do the course and are qualified at assistant level? Its just that some schools say they do the fi course and others say assistant fi.

Thanks for your help

Ethan

Re: Does anyone know anything about Heli Air?

Rick Larkin 12/09/2003, 10:05 PM
Ethan,

HeliAir are the business, I did my training up at Wellesbourne, but our heli always goes to Denham for maintenance. Quentin Smith is your man down at Denham for training, he has been world aerobatic champion and is probably one of the best helicopter pilots in the world. Don't know about the instructors stuff for a JAR licence, so can't help you there, sorry!

Blue skies,

Rick.

Re: Does anyone know anything about Heli Air?

Ethan Goldsobel 15/09/2003, 4:37 PM
Rick,

Cheers for your help. I am gonna go visit them. Its noice to have an opinion from someone who isn't trying to sell me anything! Did you do your CPL or your PPL with them? I really wanna meet this Quentin guy now!

So would you reccommend staying in this country for training? Its such a controversial subject that people are totally divided on.

cheers again

Ethan

Re: Does anyone know anything about Heli Air?

George McNeil 27/09/2003, 8:34 PM
Suggest you go check out the Pilotweb Rotary thread on "FAA CPL" at http://www.pilotweb.co.uk/Forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=707
There has been an ongoing debate on where to train. It depends on what you want to do and more especially where you want to work when you have your CPL. --- George

Re: Does anyone know anything about Heli Air?

Mark Larkin 27/10/2003, 9:42 PM
Ethan
From my experiences with the HeliAir people at Denham, they are a friendly bunch and do make an effort with training. I have carried out R22 renewals and R44 type conversions with them, along with a couple of trips to Wales for mountain flying. I can testify that flying with Q (and the rest of the Instructors) is an experience. They all take the time to really explain what the aircraft is actually doing - whatever your level of experience. What is more, they are in it because they enjoy flying.
As for staying in the UK for going down the Commercial route, I (along with a few others posting on this site) am looking into this too.
For the theory, have you ever considered distance learning (over a 1 year period) - takes a lot of self-discipline, or instead taking 19 weeks out to train full-time at a college (Cranfield)? Thus getting the theory out of the way first? You then have the "luxury" of hour building to the 150 or so hours required before you can take the GFT. Personally I have not taken this route, but it is one I have looked at - Pro is avoiding the "BIG BANG-drop everything and take that risk" step by doing it bit by bit.
Looking at the big picture of training abroad, IS it really cheaper when you add up living expenses, Im looking into this aswell....Confused, I still am!
Mark (no relation I dont think to Rick) Larkin

Re: Does anyone know anything about Heli Air?

Ethan Goldsobel 04/11/2003, 1:10 PM
I'm working at the moment as an engineer merely to fund my flying training. I'm trying to use this time to also do as much research as possible into flying school and groundschool. I have thought about flying abroad. I have been recommended HAI in USA and PHS in Oz. Both places seem to be very good from their websites and I know that Bristow use HAI to train their pilots but I think you are right that when you consider extra costs it probably won't work out cheaper. I think the benfit is mainly in the hour building. So i may take the option of going out there for a long holiday and hours building at the same time. Also for me, i'm very family orientated and I would not want to be away from my family (and my girlfriend) for all that time. I think my studies would suffer as a result of being preoccupied with missing family and friends and home.

I was considering doing distance learning and i know i have the discipline since i practically taught myself my GCSEs and I did actually teach myself Further Maths A level. But I have been recommended to do the attendance course. I am Dyslexic, so I want all the help I can get. Its a lot of money - I can't afford to fail. Its a lot of work and I struggle with organisation and I am very slow at reading and taking things in so I need to be able to do things in my own time.

Thank's for your words Heliair and I must say I got that impression myself when I went to visit. Q let me come up with him and a student on a check ride. It was wicked and listening to how he talked and explained things was so cool. I want to get to that level of understanding. On the other hand, my PPL instructor does not hold the same fond views on the man.

cheers for your hlep

Ethan

Re: Does anyone know anything about Heli Air?

Rotorhead In Motion 13/11/2003, 10:44 AM
"Q" is possibly one, if not the very best pilots in the UK.

You will not go far wrong with the guy!

RE: Does anyone know anything about Heli Air?

james poulton 05/06/2005, 10:43 PM

I did my training with heli air in wellesbourne, and i have nothing but praise for the way the place is run.

Friendly people who know what they are doing and love to introduce newcomers.

Re: RE: Does anyone know anything about Heli Air?

Denys Shortt 15/02/2009, 6:50 PM
Heli Air is brilliant. Did my pilot training at Wellesbourne and they are very friendly. Now run by Sean Brown - its even more focussed. Buy your Robinson R22 or R44 from Heli Air and get some amazing deals. Lots of Robinson Helicopters for Sale both new and used.