HELiPRO FAQ’s

What is involved in the ground theory courses? This depends on what course you will be joining. Whichever course you take, there are six PPL and six CPL subjects that have to be cleared before the applicable flight test can be sat. For further information on the course you will be taking, please contact us. How long is the course? If you are looking to complete a Commercial Pilots Licence, the full time course is structured to take one year. However, most students can comfortably finish within a 10-month period. A Private Pilots Licence course full time, would take approximately three months. All courses can also be done on a part time basis. It is up to the individual how long they take, although there are some requirements where time limits are applicable. Contact us for more information. Are loans and allowances available? Currently helicopter student loans and allowances are available for any NZ citizen or permanent resident that has been in New Zealand for at least two years. There is no student loan facility for Fixed Wing training. However, changes are being considered by the NZ government as to whether or not this continues in its current form. Is previous flight experience considered? Yes, all previous rotary or fixed wing flying experience can be used towards your PPL/CPL licence. This includes any valid flying completed overseas in another country which is a member of ICAO. You may also be able to credit some fixed wing flying towards a helicopter PPL/CPL, but this will need to be considered on a case by case basis and will depend on how recent the flight experience is. Licence Conversions? In most cases around the world the licence obtained in one country does not automatically transfer over. However, the NZ licence is easily converted to an Australian licence. With other countries it does vary and is a case of investigating each for their requirements. NZ pilots are thought of very highly in regards to the quality of training, by countries around the world, and you will find that the training requirements in NZ are fairly high compared to most other countries. We can assist you in trying to work through the mountains of information in regards to licence conversions for most countries. Simply contact HELiPRO Aviation Training. How Do I Get Started? All you need to do is to contact us by email or telephone and we can arrange for an information pack to be sent out immediately. Once we have received the completed application form we will then arrange for an interview and proceed from there. Anyone interested in flight training is most welcome to visit our premises to check out our facility, view our aircraft and ask any further questions they may have before placing their application. Is It Hard To Fly A Helicopter or Aeroplane? Our response is NO, but it does take time. Some people will take longer than others to master certain aspects, but everyone has the ability to learn. It does come down to attitude, passion and patience, but if you work hard enough there is no reason why you cannot fly aircraft and experience the freedom it provides. What employment opportunities are there in the aviation industry? Employment opportunities do exist, contrary to what people may tell you. However, it may not be easy and most budding Helicopter pilots will more than likely start off as ground crew, providing support for the pilot, loading and unloading aircraft, answering phones and so on. This work is equally important, as the pilot cannot survive without his/her ground crew. It also allows you to gain that much needed experience working around and with helicopters. Our previous students have gone on to find employment, some as ground crew and some in the pilot’s seat straight away. As with life, anything worthwhile has to be worked hard for. The outlook is encouraging for people with passion and the right attitude, especially if you are prepared to venture overseas.