No. We all have begun our aviation training from the start. One of our students began his aviation adventure at the age of 56, and now he is a PPL(H) holder.
No, you don’t have to, you can start by learning how to fly helicopters immediately. Both aircraft lift off from the ground, but the flight and piloting principles are basically different. Having been accustomed to flying airplanes usually helps, as the student is already used to the onboard indicators, the flight altitude, the surrounding space, and the air traffic rules. However, in case of certain maneuvers, the airplane experience is not of help, since the rules of piloting and flying of the two aircraft are different.
Whether you are disqualified or not depends on the doctor’s opinion. In case of a little sight impairment, you are required to use the extra pair of glasses available on board of the aircraft. The doctor may issue an aeromedical certificate with limitations (e.g. a color-blind person may be allowed to fly at daytime only).
- flight instructors’ competences
- the number of training aircraft available
- location suitability
- if there is technical service on the spot
- the equipment available at the center and
- the airport where the training will be conducted.
It depends on the trainee’s free time he/she is able to dedicate to training, and weather conditions. The theoretical part of the training takes 100 h total, whereas practical training takes 45 h total. The overall time of the course usually lasts from 3 to 6 months.
It depends solely on your willingness to start. It is very simple, since we don’t organize fixed groups that would have all the lectures scheduled in advance. Based on the current analysis of every trainee’s theoretical training advancement level, we organize the lectures flexibly. This way, all the beginners in the theoretical training can start right up, whenever they want.
You can begin the practical training right after you finish the first stage of the theoretical training, provided the course is run in parallel. Our Center provides parallel training courses which our trainees appreciate very much.
Another option is to start taking flights after you have finished the whole theoretical training part.
In the case of the theoretical part: the full set of documents required by the center (including a passport photocopy, the last school graduation certificate, a signed agreement on training).
In case of the practical part: all the above documents, together with a certificate confirming the completion of the theoretical part, and the medical certificate.
Based on our experience, we recommend you undergo your medical check (that by law is required before your first autonomous fight) before you begin your course in order to be sure there are no medical obstacles.
- airport fees
- instructor’s wage
- fuel costs
- aircraft insurance costs
- aircraft depreciation costs
- CAMO and technical service
- training administration costs.
Helicopters:
- Robinson R44
Airplanes:
- Diamond DA-40
- Diamond DA-20
- Piper PA44
If you want to find out more about the aircraft in our fleet take a look Our Fleet at our website.
The most important difference is the degree of eligibilities. With the professional license, you can take commercial flights.
Yes, our instructors can schedule their time according to the particular trainee’s needs, both in case of the theoretical and practical course.
Robinson R44 is a piston helicopter with 4 seats that is economic in utilization, generating relatively low costs of training compared to other helicopters. Robinson R44 is a very popular type of aircraft that is eagerly bought in Poland – it is used by personal users, companies as well as for training purposes. These gives you job opportunities. Over 85% of training centers in the United States use Robinson R44.
As far as the practical PPL training is concerned, you can pay for it in 3 installments (per every 15 h time); on the contrary, the theoretical training is paid for in a single fee, prior to the beginning of the training.
Of course, it is possible. The only thing we would need in such case is a certificate confirming the completion of the course from the Center at which the course has been held.
It all depends on the type of the course. Most of the times, the regulations don’t specify the time in which the course ought to be completed, but to give you an example: the “type rating” helicopter course must be completed within 6 months’ time before the practical exam. Integrated CPL (A) and CPL (H) courses must be completed within 24 months’ time from the first flight.
Certificates of course completion are valid for 1 year’s time. In this time, you should take the state exam at CAA (Civil Aviation Authority). Next, you should pass all the subjects within 18 months’ time (undertaking of at least one subject) from when the exam has begun.
Every subject at the theoretical training is completed with a respective internal exam. The form of every exam is a single choice test, and is carried out online by means of the Student’s Panel.
During the training, a practical training card is used. After the training time, the pilot should maintain the Pilot’s Book. Recording your own life flight experience is crucial, especially in case of those pilots who plan to acquire further ratings and licenses, because the flight hours are often one of the conditions that let you qualify for the next training.
