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Flight Training

Training in a professional and relaxed environment

Our convenient location in Newtownards, just 20 minutes from the centre of Belfast, combined with having the only full time and most experienced instructor in Northern Ireland makes HeliPower the natural choice for pilot training. The PPL(H) course follows a specific syllabus dictated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) but your training can be tailored to your personal ability, timetable and budget. No previous flying experience is required, training can begin at 14 and there is no upper age limit just the requirement to keep passing your medical with an Aviation Medical Examiner.

PPL(H):

The PPL(H) course follows a specific syllabus of exercises dictated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) but your training can be tailored to your personal ability, timetable and budget.
No previous flying experience is required and training can begin at 14, solo achieved at 16 and licence issued at 17. There is no upper age limit just the requirement to keep passing your medical with an Aviation Medical Examiner.

Course Requirements & Structure:

• Minimum Flight Hours: 45 total hours (35 hours of dual instruction with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight, including a qualifying 100-nautical-mile cross-country flight with two full-stop landings).
• Real-World Average: While 45 hours is the minimum training, most students take between 50 and 60 hours to reach test standard.
• Medical Certificate: A UK CAA Class 2 medical certificate is required before flying solo.
• Age Limits: Minimum age of 16 for solo flight and 17 for the issuance of the licence (though hours can be logged starting at age 14).

Ground School & Exams:

9 multiple-choice written exams in the following subjects:

Air Law

Principles of Flight

Meteorology

Navigation

Aircraft General Knowledge

Flight Performance & Planning

Human Performance, Operational Procedures

Communication) plus a practical radio test.

Radio Communications

In order to obtain a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) pilot licence (helicopter, microlight or aeroplane), you must also have a Radiotelephony Licence. HeliPower can arrange courses and examinations to any student or qualified pilot to obtain such licence. Our partner company JRF Aviation supplies the courses and administers the test. The aim of this course is to introduce students to the basics of radiotelephony and to develop those skills leading to an understanding of what we say, not just to rhyme off a series of words, phrases and numbers because you are told to. Also the reason we say what we transmit will be explained from an Air Traffic Control point of view.
All exams are conducted in house.