Training

Introduction
Gold Coast Helicopters Pty Ltd currently operate and hangar their fleet of training and charter helicopters from their Head Office, training and corporate facilities at Hangar 20, Gold Coast Airport. We are committed to providing superior service to our students from our modern and up to date facilities.

First Steps to becoming a pilot
You’ve decided you want to fly helicopters, or perhaps are just interested in finding out more. We are always willing to discuss what is involved with training but in the first instance, the main questions you may need answered are:

Private or Commercial licence?

• Private Licence
  A private licence (PPL) allows you to fly any Australian registered aircraft within Australia. A minimum of 50 hours flight training is required before you take a flight test for your license. A Class 2 medical check certificate and a pass in a private theory exam are also required. 
  
• Commercial Licence
  A commercial licence (CPL) allows you to fly in a helicopter for financial reward (i.e. to work as a helicopter pilot). A minimum of 105 hours * flight training is required before you take a flight test. A Class 1 medical check certificate and a pass in 7 theory exams are also required.
  * (Last 30 hours need to be completed in 3 month period)

Previous experience?
You will be glad to know that no previous flying experience is needed before you start to learn to fly a helicopter. A sense of adventure and being prepared to put in a little effort is all you require. Previous flying experience, in most cases, will allow for a reduction in the amount of flying hours you will need to complete toward your helicopter pilots license.

Why train with us?
Choosing a school to train with is very important for your training. We believe at Gold Coast Helicopters Training School, we offer the best of all worlds –

• Company
  We are an energetic company who believes in looking after our pilots, staff and most importantly our students. We operate a charter company from the same hangar as our school, allowing students to see the commercial aviation industry for themselves, and become involved at early stage, should they choose.
• Instructors
  Our instructors and pilots offer a wide range of experience across the industry over many years, from Charter, Aerial work and Sling across Australia, giving invaluable insight to students into many facets of the industry.

We believe comprehensive pre and post flight briefings are a vital role in making you a safe pilot. Our times are structured so that your instructor will have over an hour of ground time to fully explain and discuss your lesson, all free of charge.

Location
The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most popular tourist attractions and for good reason. The spectacular weather and scenic coast lines make for beautiful viewing from the air so why not learn to fly in this incredible environment.

For more information on the Gold Coast, see:
www.verygc.com
www.australia-goldcoast.com.au

From an aviation point of view, Gold Coast Airport proves to be a great starting point for all lessons as our students are exposed to controlled and non controlled airspaces early in their training. Some of your flying training will take you from the beaches in Queensland’s South East to the rolling mountainous areas of the Great Dividing Range to the west as part of your navigation training with us.

Theory
Commercial theory consists of seven exams:

• Aviation Law
• Aerodynamics
• Planning and Performance
• Meteorology
• Aircraft General Knowledge
• Navigation
• Human Factors and Limitations

The theory subjects are sat at an examination centre at Archerfield. Private theory consists of one exam , covering mainly law, aerodynamics and performance

There are two main options for you when it comes to the theory aspect of your license.

• If you are lucky enough to be the kind of person who is self motivated, then self study may suit you.
• Alternatively you may be more suited to learning in a classroom situation. This option will allow you to be able to learn in a classroom type atmosphere. At this stage, we recommend AFT on the Sunshine Coast

Which machine should I choose to train in?
We have several helicopter types available for training.

• R22 - the two-seater R22 is the world’s most popular entry-level helicopter for the past two decades. It is widely used for training, aerial photography and mustering in Australia, and the one we most commonly use for training.
• R44 - the four-seater R44 is recommended for training, particularly for private pilots who intend to own their own helicopter.

For further information on Robinson Helicopters, see:
www.robinsonheli.com/products

• B206 - while we recommend at least the initial stages of training to be in the R22 or R44, it is possible to do 20 hours of training in another type of helicopter, and some students chose to utilize those 20 hours in a turbine helicopter.

Our fleet also consists of a Bell 47 and 2 x Bell 407’s available for type endorsements!

For further information on Bell Helicopters, see:
www.bellhelicopter.textron.com
www.bellhelicopter.textron.com/en/aircraft/commercial/bell407.cfm
www.helis.com/timeline/bell.php

Job Prospects
There are a variety of employment options available to a commercial helicopter pilot;

• General Charter (Aerial Work(Photography), tours, etc)
• Fire Fighting
• Instructing
• Construction
• Corporate Charter
• Emergency Medical Services
• Agricultural and Mustering

What next?

TIF (Trial Introductory Flight)
We invite you to come in and take a TIF (Training Introductory Flight) with us. This is a no obligation 35 minute initial training flight with one of our highly experienced instructors. The cost of this helicopter experience is only $345 incl. GST.

These flights are designed to give you an insight into the feel of a helicopter and see first hand if this kind of career choice is for you. These TIF’s (Training Introductory Flight’s) consist of an initial briefing in a casual classroom environment to discuss the very basics of a helicopter and how they fly. Then it’s out in the helicopter to experience the feeling first hand!

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Contact Us
Please feel free to drop in, give us a call or email training@goldcoastheli.com should you have any further questions.