Buying a heli to build hours
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Rotary bliss or banking nightmare..?
I'm in dire need of some independant advice.. As I'm half way through my PPL(H) I'm starting to think about the best way to build hours and experience when I'm done. My problem being that flying the damn things is so expensive!
My instructor suggested getting my own helicopter, and letting the club use it, effectively making my flying free. Have any of you done this? I don't have an outrageous amount of money and to buy one it looks like it would cost far more than an airplane. I'd just want whatever was cheap to maintain and run and of course buy! Cash is really tight as I'm about to embark on my ATPL (A) full time.. Is there some other cheap way to get my flying in? I really want to be able to stay current whilst I'm studying and hope to convert my ATPL to the helicopter when I have more experience..
My instructor suggested getting my own helicopter, and letting the club use it, effectively making my flying free. Have any of you done this? I don't have an outrageous amount of money and to buy one it looks like it would cost far more than an airplane. I'd just want whatever was cheap to maintain and run and of course buy! Cash is really tight as I'm about to embark on my ATPL (A) full time.. Is there some other cheap way to get my flying in? I really want to be able to stay current whilst I'm studying and hope to convert my ATPL to the helicopter when I have more experience..
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A few people where I fly have bought helicopters and leased then to the school. It's probably worth it if you've got the cash to start with, but you're talking at least £50,000 for a second hand R22, I think. Other ways people use - career development loans, up to £8000 interest free for two years, possibly extending to three, claiming back VAT if you run your own business or can set one up (haven't tried this and don't know the details). But I don't think there are any cheap ways to fly helicopters - if you find any please let me know.
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Other than purchasing your own aircraft as mentioned, one possibility is to approach one of the larger training operators such as Heli Air to try and get some 'positioning flights', either free or at a heavily subsidised rate. Aircraft are frequently positioned from training to maintenance a/dromes and back again. The competition to get these flights is often quite high and priority is usually given to those who have done some business with the company in the past. Worth a try though....
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Thanks guys. My other option is to bite the bullet and do my Heli ATPL and Instructor rating rather than my fixed-wing one. Some of the schools seem offer financial support - something unheard of in the fixed wing world!
A good idea about the positioning flights, I would never have thought about that..
A good idea about the positioning flights, I would never have thought about that..
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Pinky, you must be either mad or not in the UK!! If the former, follow any advice given with great scepticism, the market for pilots is not on our side. If the latter, then by all means continue, but, I would suggest that you give fixed-wing your full attention and treat helis as a hobby!
