[HoverCheck]

Hi,

I'm learning to fly purely for fun. I've been fortunate to have a father who was a flight instructor and airline pilot, so I've had the opportunity to fly in many different aircraft over my lifetime, but now it is finally time for me to get my own wings, and do something myself.

I keep debating between fixed-wing and rotary, and keep wondering about rotary purely because it is something different I haven't had much exposure to. There is the obvious difference in cost to obtain a licence, but looking beyond that to *using* my licence, is it harder/less practical to find somewhere to hire a helicopter vs. a fixed wing aircraft? Aside from purely operational costs, is there anything else to consider?

My second question is can anyone recommend any flight schools? I'm in Leicestershire, and willing to drive.

Thanks!

[A4 Pacific]

IMVHO

There’s little to beat the pure freedom, variety and endless possibilities of rotary wing flight. Provided you can afford it!

The first time you lift into the hover and realise you are flying, whilst not actually moving, is a revelation!

If there are any budgetary constraints, then bear in mind you could probably fly three times as many fixed wing hours (or fly something really interesting!) compared to the rotary hours you will afford.

(I think your forum name may reveal your true desire! )

[Flyingfemme]

Depends what you want to do with the licence when you get it. For real travelling, you need fixed wing. Heli’s are great fun but slow. For aeros, you also need fixed wing. Stripping can be done with either but helis have far more places to land than fixed wing - are you into any sort of racing? Taking friends and family to lunch (with extra smugness) requires a heli, unless you are going to the Channel Islands/Europe when fixed wing is better.
So figure out where you want to end up and work backwards from there.

[Flyin'Dutch']

If you have to ask....

Anyone who likes helicoptering and has the money, goes for it.

Caveat, a (H) licence is no good if you can't afford to own a helicopter.

[Mz Hedy]

From talking to helimed and police helicopter pilots, I got the impression that the best heli pilots did fixed wing first.

I have no idea whether that's so, because I've also been told the best fixed wing pilots did gliding first

[Rob P V2.0]

I've also been told the best fixed wing pilots did gliding first

I didn't

Rob P V2.0

[Dodo]

OP, Have you seen this thread from about 4 years ago?

https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=114953&p=1776650&hilit=helicopter#p1752318

[muffin]

As posted in the other old thread referenced above, I did my fixed wing PPL about 44 years ago and still do fly occasionally as the cost is so small as to be irrelevant. I had a trial rotary lesson in 1999, and 6 months later I had a PPL(H). i rented an R22 for the first 6 years, then bought my first one which was followed by 3 more over the years as they timed out in succession. Most of them cost me around £60k when I bought them and I got £25-£30k in part exchange for the timed out hull on each one.

I sold my last one about 8 months ago as I am now getting on in years and did not want to find out the hard way that my reactions were slowing down. Helicopter flying is far less tolerant of mistakes than fixed wing.

I really enjoyed my rotary years and frankly FW seems tame by comparison. I kept mine in a shed in my back garden, and almost never went to airfields other for occasional fuel.

You are well placed in Leics as there are several good training schools near by. I learnt at East Mids Helis at Costock, but Central Helis at Widmerpool on the A46 are excellent. There is also Helicentre at Leicester Airfield but they are more aimed at the professional training market.

Good luck whatever you do and have fun!

[Harleyatrix]

I have both a PPL(A) & a PPL(H).

I fly fixed wing a lot, as I’m an instructor. However, I haven’t flown rotary for years, as the cost is now prohibitive, at £479 + per hour for an R22 (may be cheaper elsewhere in the country)

Having said that, I’d resurrect my licence in a heartbeat if I could afford it & justify the cost, there’s nothing quite like it!

So… if you can afford it - I’d say do it!

[Milty]

Much the same as others have said - if you can afford rotary, do it. I toyed with both. I love the concept of popping in a helicopter to virtually anywhere that will give you a field to land in. From my research though, circa 3x cost of FW for lessons, rental etc.

It’s my 50th soon. A couple of family members have asked if I want a trial Heli lesson. I’ve answered no… my last trial lesson resulted in me starting FW lessons. I daren’t risk it…

[HoverCheck]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I have read them all (and the links).

After much debate, I can't argue with getting 3x the fixed-wing hours. Rotary will need to reside on the wish-list a little longer.