Private Pilot Licence (PPL-H)
Our students come from all walks of life, are of all ages and have one common aim; they relish the ultimate challenge of learning how to fly a helicopter and obtaining their private helicopter pilot licence!
Whether your goal is to take your friends flying over the gorgeous kiwi countryside, for lunch at one of the spectacular vineyards or you just want to beat the rush hour traffic enroute to a meeting; then a private helicopter pilot licence gives you the flying freedom to achieve those dreams.
Based out of North Shore and Ardmore Airfields, our courses are all tailored to your individual requirements and your timeframe, so regardless of your other commitments we can support you all the way from your first wobbly hover to passing your flight test.
Your momentous achievement opens up a whole new world of possibilities where you will never stop being in awe of what you can do. You could join us on weekends away on our Heli Safari's around the country
; participate in our competitions or up-skill to the larger helicopters.
Your first lesson will be the effects of controls at altitude. This enables you to get a feel for the controls one by one for the first time and perform the basic manoeuvres and procedures. Then you will progress to practising climbing and descending, turns and develop your skills near the ground at the hover, which is a bit like juggling five balls all at the same time. You will quickly get the feel of the helicopter and progress with taking off, landing, circuits, autorotations and talking to other aircraft on the flight radio.
Once your instructor is confident of your ability you will be sent solo – your first real achievement in flying and one to be proud of. You will then continue practising all the skills learnt to date and move onto the challenge of landing in confined areas and navigating cross-country.
We really can make your flying dreams become a reality and you can join the minority who can “slip the surly bonds of earth” – a fantastic feeling!
A Private Pilot Licence – Helicopter can be obtained in as little as ten weeks full time, (weather dependant) or part time at your leisure.
To obtain a Private Pilot Licence - Helicopter you must:
- Be at least 17 years of age
- Hold a current NZ Class 2 Medical Examination
- Pass PPL written exams in Meteorology, Navigation, Air Law, Flight Radio, Human Factors and Helicopter Technical Knowledge
- Have a minimum of 50 hours flight experience in the following:
- 20 hours dual instruction including 5 hours advanced instruction
- 15 hours pilot in command
- 5 hours dual navigation
- 5 hours pilot in command navigation
- 5 hours mountainous terrain training and 5 hours mountain theory
NB - All students must join and maintain membership of the North Shore Aero Club throughout the period of any training with NSHT or thereafter if they continue to fly at North Shore Airfield