THE PATH TO THE PRIVATE PILOT LICENSE - HELICOPTER PPL(H)

We’d like to give you some information about training for private helicopter pilots PPL(H) below.
 

Practical training

You can start your training to become a private helicopter pilot with us at any time. The EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) prescribes 45 flight hours, which includes at least 25 flight hours with flight instructors and at least 10 hours of supervised solo flight. Among others, this flight time also includes:

• 5 hours of solo cross-country flight time with
•  1 cross-country flight (navigation triangle flight) of at least 185 km (100 NM), with full stop landings at 2 airports different from the airport of departure.

Flight training in detail

35 of the 45 hours of flight instruction have to be completed on the same type of helicopter as the one used for the skill test. Student pilots already holding a pilot license for airplanes, e.g. PPL(A), can be credited up to 6 hours by providing proof of flight time as a pilot in command on airplanes.
 

Flight training up to the first solo flight

The first solo flight is an experience that every helicopter pilot fondly recalls. By then, all of the exercises ensuring the safe conduct of a flight will have been carried out.

It starts with a ground briefing in the helicopter, followed by starting the engine. And there you are, sitting in the pilot’s seat next to an experienced flight instructor. With him you practice takeoff, landing, vertical flight, horizontal flight, turning flight, descent, hover flight as well as special flight conditions and conduct in emergency situations.
 

Confined area flight training

In confined area flight training you practice landing in tight spaces.
 

Exercises up to the first solo cross-country flight

In these exercises the flight instructor is with you on the route. You learn to precisely prepare for a flight, execute it according to the flight plan, and follow it closely on a navigation map. You are also instructed in radio navigation procedures, a type of navigation that uses radio direction finding to enable you to maintain your flight path and accurately determine your location.
 

First solo cross-country flight

Another experience with a lasting impression. You fly a route of at least 185 km (100 NM) and land at two separate airports on this route.
 

Test preparation and the test

Test preparation covers the exercises learned. Skill in handling the helicopter is further strengthened with quick stops, flight navigation by instrument with no visibility, and emergency landing exercises. There is no limitation on the training period, which can be credited for the minimum hours stated above, but only the flight hours completed within the last 24 months before the test date.

You may schedule flight dates by individual arrangement with our flight school. Flying is done daily until sunset (depending on weather conditions, dates may have to be postponed and rescheduled). Practical training concludes with a flight test.
 

Theoretical training

Depending on group size, theoretical training takes place on our premises or at our partner company. Instruction consists of approx. 100 hours of theory (variable depending on student) leading up to the examination and entails the following subjects.

• Air law and flight control procedures
• Human performance
• Meteorology
• VFR communications
• Principles of flight – aerodynamics for helicopters
• Operational procedures
•  Flight performance and planning
• Aircraft general knowledge - helicopters
•  Navigation

Special arrangements may be made with the training manager/chief flight instructor. Theoretical training concludes with an examination at Landesbetrieb Mobilität (state corporation for mobility) at Frankfurt Hahn Airport.
 

Instructors

Flight instructors with a high level of qualification and extensive experience and who are recognized and approved by the competent authorities and bodies are used for flight training. In theoretical training, we draw on theory instructors with special professional and educational training. The training manager/chief flight instructor is responsible for the coordination of training.

Flight radio telephony operator license

Every pilot must have a flight radio telephone operator license. It can be obtained in either German or English. A separate course is included during theoretical training.

There is an additional examination fee for the flight radio telephony operator license. The examination may, for example, be taken at the Bundesnetzagentur (German regulatory authority) in Cologne.
 

Obtaining a license

The pilot license is valid for life. Acting as pilot is also tied to the presence of

• A valid medical certificate
• A valid type rating certificat

o obtain the type rating certificate, 2:00 flight hours on the specific type as well as a proficiency check with an examiner are required in the validity year. Going out and buying your very own helicopter is not necessary. You can charter a helicopter from us at any time. You are also welcome to complete the proficiency check with one of our in-house examiners

Requirements for training

Minimum age 16 years, medical fitness (the aero-medical examination requires an average state of health, and correcting lenses are no obstacle), no serious criminal record.

Which is why we need from you

• A Class 2 medical certificate
•  A valid ID
• A declaration about ongoing investigations or criminal proceedings
• Summary from the register of driver fitness
• An application for a background check in accordance with the German Aviation Security Act
• Certificate of immediate life-saving measures at the scene of an accident or first aid    

Additionally for minors

•   A declaration of consent by the legal representatives

Training costs

The costs for training for the PPL(H) consist of several items, we would be happy to make you an individual offer.

If you would like to have a personal "aptitude test" before deciding on the training course, one of our experienced flight instructors will be happy to carry out a trial flight with you.

Helicopter training in Germany

Piloting a helicopter on your own is the epitome of flying. Not only does helicopter flying give you the feeling of hovering over the ground on a flying carpet, there are virtually unlimited uses for a helicopter.

A helicopter is not bound to a runway. It is content with a landing area of 20 x 20 meters and can hover in place anywhere.

Many people believe that flying a helicopter is too difficult. Far from it, it is easy to learn and definitely has greater appeal than any other aircraft.

What would you like to see from the air? Or who would you like to take along with you to enjoy the beauty of the world from a bird's eye perspective? What destinations would you like to fly to? What do you like most about flying a helicopter?