By Andy Toomer

Learning to fly helicopters was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences in my life, from the first flight trying and struggling to maintain straight and level flight to nailing 180 degree autorotations (simulated engine failures) to a specified spot, it was a learning curve riddled with milestones to keep aiming for, such as the first solo, private license, mountain check flights, cross country check flights and finally the commercial flight test and the golden hand shake and a few beverages to wash it all down.

The decision to learn to fly a helicopter did not come lightly to me (probably five years in the making) and should not come lightly to anyone else, apart from a millionaire perhaps. Before you begin your Helicopter training (particularly Commercial pilot training) you need to be 100% sure that it is what you want to do, it is a large investment of both time and money and takes commitment and dedication to complete. From passing your first theory exam to passing your commercial flight test you need to be disciplined throughout your training. Before any of this however you need to choose a Helicopter Flight school, there are several factors to consider before signing your life( and hard earned savings) away. Different people have different preferences, but if you want to gain the most experience possible out of your training you need to consider a few things.

1. Do a Trial introductory flight (TIF)

2. Obtaining an aviation medical is the first step to getting your helicopter license, although you can train without one, you will not be issued a license until you have one and it would be a shame to spend all that money only to find out you are not considered medically fit to hold a pilot license.

3. Choosing a training school