where to do QFI help
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Here & There
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
where to do QFI help
Hello knowledgeable people!
I'm planning on moving to the UK at some point in the future and thought I'd get some advice.
My wife is British and we both really want to live in the UK in the near future. I know, I know! The helicopter opportunities there are far less than here in the US or other parts of the world, but we've got our minds set so hopefully we can make it happen.
I have my JAA CPL and am currently saving some cash to get my QFI in the UK. I have 240 hours at the moment and am also working to get to that 250 mark. I may be able to get a FAA instructor position but am hoping to go straight to the UK.
I have never flown in the UK and I haven't even flown in the USA for about 4 months now so I'm probably a bit rusty. I'm a bit nervous about trying to fly in the UK for the first time trying to learn the system, much less trying to do my QFI there without much previous experience. I am hoping to get some advice on where to do my instructor training (Mike Green's name has popped up a couple of times) and what I should do to prepare for the transition there to do my QFI (bookwork, flying experience, etc.). Should I just plan on doing some flying before doing the course or will I integrate that as part of the course?
If anyone has any input I would appreciate it (unless it is trying to discourage me from moving!
Thanks for the help.
I'm planning on moving to the UK at some point in the future and thought I'd get some advice.
My wife is British and we both really want to live in the UK in the near future. I know, I know! The helicopter opportunities there are far less than here in the US or other parts of the world, but we've got our minds set so hopefully we can make it happen.
I have my JAA CPL and am currently saving some cash to get my QFI in the UK. I have 240 hours at the moment and am also working to get to that 250 mark. I may be able to get a FAA instructor position but am hoping to go straight to the UK.
I have never flown in the UK and I haven't even flown in the USA for about 4 months now so I'm probably a bit rusty. I'm a bit nervous about trying to fly in the UK for the first time trying to learn the system, much less trying to do my QFI there without much previous experience. I am hoping to get some advice on where to do my instructor training (Mike Green's name has popped up a couple of times) and what I should do to prepare for the transition there to do my QFI (bookwork, flying experience, etc.). Should I just plan on doing some flying before doing the course or will I integrate that as part of the course?
If anyone has any input I would appreciate it (unless it is trying to discourage me from moving!
Thanks for the help.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mike Green is one, do a search for whirlybirds blog on this forum to find out how much fun it is. Mike Bill is another, works mainly at London Helicopters , and Mike Smith (& someone else) does it up at Heli Air at Wellesbourne. The CAA will give you a full list of providers.
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also depends what for which helciopters you are rated and on which you wish to instruct. If you're a Schweizer chap, there's Sterling in Norwich who do the FI course. The instructor there is not called Mike though, he's called Roy!
I haven't flown in the US so can't really comment but I suspect procedures and airspace regs are quite different as is RT. You've only got 10 hours to go, that's not much so I would recommend getting a few hours in with an instructor to familiarise yourself with what's what. I don't think many (any?) scholls would let you self-fly hire anyway without that.
All the best and welcome to Blighty!
Cheers
Whirls
I haven't flown in the US so can't really comment but I suspect procedures and airspace regs are quite different as is RT. You've only got 10 hours to go, that's not much so I would recommend getting a few hours in with an instructor to familiarise yourself with what's what. I don't think many (any?) scholls would let you self-fly hire anyway without that.
All the best and welcome to Blighty!
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: England
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stuart Hughes at Cabair College of Air Training (Cranfield) is a real star, if you're 22 rated or Andy Gutteridge at Oxford Aviation Training if you're 300 rated. From what I've seen of FAA qualified pilots, the navigation in our congested airspace needs a bit of practice and the R/T also needs some polish.
Welcome and good luck.
Welcome and good luck.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Here & There
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the replies & PM's. Very helpful.
We haven't made up our minds yet where we'll be moving to exactly - wherever I can find a good instructor/ training school will be a factor obviously, but as my wife is a glassblower and wants to do an MA, that will factor in also. There are good glass schools in London, Edinburgh, & Farnham.
As for Wales, my wife is from there and we'd love to end up there eventually if we can, especially north Wales, but we realize getting jobs may be difficult up there. I know there are schools south Wales in Swansea & Cardiff but don't know much about them. I visited Fast Helicopters in Shoreham while living near there and it seemed a decent facility.
RT & airspace was my biggest concern, but I know that will come with a little practice. I got my licenses at HAI which is pretty darn simple airspace. Did my FAA IR which helped but I still feel like a relative novice on the radio.
Looking forward to the move and meeting some folks. Thanks again for the advice and the warm welcome.
oh, one more thing. One person mentioned about type. I have about 130 hours on the 300CB and 110 in the R22, but only have a JAA type rating for the 300CB at the moment. In any case, I\'d feel comfortable in either one, just would have to get the rating for the R22.
We haven't made up our minds yet where we'll be moving to exactly - wherever I can find a good instructor/ training school will be a factor obviously, but as my wife is a glassblower and wants to do an MA, that will factor in also. There are good glass schools in London, Edinburgh, & Farnham.
As for Wales, my wife is from there and we'd love to end up there eventually if we can, especially north Wales, but we realize getting jobs may be difficult up there. I know there are schools south Wales in Swansea & Cardiff but don't know much about them. I visited Fast Helicopters in Shoreham while living near there and it seemed a decent facility.
RT & airspace was my biggest concern, but I know that will come with a little practice. I got my licenses at HAI which is pretty darn simple airspace. Did my FAA IR which helped but I still feel like a relative novice on the radio.
Looking forward to the move and meeting some folks. Thanks again for the advice and the warm welcome.
oh, one more thing. One person mentioned about type. I have about 130 hours on the 300CB and 110 in the R22, but only have a JAA type rating for the 300CB at the moment. In any case, I\'d feel comfortable in either one, just would have to get the rating for the R22.
Last edited by walesuk; 10th Dec 2005 at 18:56.
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They have two 300CBs and a 300C at Oxford. Andy and Glenda are the full time instructors and are very good. The airspace is busy, probably about as busy as Cranfield (R22s at CabAir) as both have large fixed-wing schools and fleets.
I've been to both places and Oxford has *much* nicer facilities. It's a real college environment, and you'll likely feel a bit old what with all the suited 19 year olds wandering around doing their CPL(A)s but it's a very professional environment. McApline are there at the airport also so there's always the opportunity to see an EC120 or something being put through it's paces in the practice area.
Si
I've been to both places and Oxford has *much* nicer facilities. It's a real college environment, and you'll likely feel a bit old what with all the suited 19 year olds wandering around doing their CPL(A)s but it's a very professional environment. McApline are there at the airport also so there's always the opportunity to see an EC120 or something being put through it's paces in the practice area.
Si
