Gaining your helicopter LAPL is an incredibly rewarding experience which gives you the freedom to take to the skies!
The LAPL(H) is an alternative to the PPL(H) and can be used as a foundation for future flying, whether that be recreational, private ownership or commercial purposes. It is a basic qualification that opens up the world of helicopter flying to you, with less stringent medical and training requirements than the PPL. The LAPL(H) is a qualification recognised in the UK and allows you to take up to 3 passengers flying with you in helicopters up to 2000kg MTOW.
Once qualified, you will be more than welcome to self-fly hire our aircraft to enjoy exciting days out with your family, friends and fellow pilots!
Training begins ensuring you can safely perform all the basic flight manoeuvres and procedures. You will learn and practice take offs, landings, circuits, and radio work whilst building your confidence to your first solo flight. Between solo flights you will fly with your instructor who will introduce you to the advanced manoeuvres and the principles of cross-country navigation – flying from one airfield to another. You will conduct some solo cross country navigation exercises and then in the final stages your instructor assists in refining your skills in preparation for the practical examination.
There is no maximum age, but you must be 16 before going solo and 17 before you can apply for your licence.
Helicopters
We can currently provide LAPL(H) training using the Robinson R44 and R22.
Requirements and Course Information
A minimum of 40 hours of flying training must be completed, however most students will complete their training in approximately 60 hours. At least 10 hours must be flown solo. The 45 hour requirement is reduced for holders of a PPL(A) to a minimum of 39 hours.
Written Exams
There are 9 written ground examinations with multiple choice answers, and one radio practical exam. You must pass Aviation Law before flying solo and Navigation and Meteorology before the qualifying solo cross-country flight. We therefore recommend you study for the ground exams in conjunction with your flying training. Extra ground school on any subject is available from our instructors; this is optional and must be booked and paid for in addition to your PPL course.
These exams can be passed with self-study and assistance from your flying instructor. GCSEs or A-Levels are not a requirement for the course, however a basic understanding of maths and physics is advisable. The subjects are:
- Air Law
- Human Performance
- Meteorology
- Communications
- Principles of Flight
- Operational Procedures
- Flight Performance & Planning
- Aircraft General Knowledge
- Navigation
Medical Information
You do not need a medical to begin your flight training. Your instructor will advise you when you need to get a medical – however before flying solo, you must possess a LAPL medical certificate. Provided you are in good health, this should be nothing for you to worry about and a medical can be obtained locally from an Authorised Medical Examiner (AME) or using your GP.
If you intend to make a career from helicopter flying, it may be advisable to obtain a slightly more restrictive Class I medical at this stage as it would be required for becoming a commercial pilot. In this case we would also recommend undertaking the PPL(H) course as it has slightly more benefits for those looking to progress further.
Licence Skill Test
Upon completion of your flying you will take a Skill Test, usually with one of our in-house examiners. Your flying at this stage will be to a standard to enable you to demonstrate to the examiner that you can fly safely and competently. The Skill Test consists of flying the manoeuvres and demonstrating the techniques that you have learnt throughout the LAPL(H) course.
Once you have achieved your licence you will need to fly just six hours as PIC, including six take-offs and landings, per year in order stay current. You will also require a 1 hour refresher flight with an instructor which can be arranged through ICE Helicopters.
If you do not meet the above requirements, a proficiency check with an examiner must be completed as well as the take-off and landing requirements under the supervision of an instructor.
Common Questions
Which aircraft should I do my LAPL(H) in?
The Cabri G2, R22 and R44 are the three main aircraft we use for initial (ab-initio) flight training. All have different advantages, such as the Cabri G2 being very cost effective and robust, or the R44 having additional power and seating capacity. It is up to you which aircraft you fly in, and we would recommend having a look at all three or taking a trial lesson to see which you prefer.
How often should I fly?
How frequently you choose to have your lessons is up to you, but experience tells us that continuity tends to help with progression.
The choice of whether the course is conducted on a full or part-time basis is yours – a part-time course could, due to the lack of continuity, result in you needing more flying hours before your flight test. If you choose a full-time course then for instance a PPL could be completed in approximately 4 to 6 weeks, weather permitting. We find that a mixture of the two, involving an intensive week or two within a part-time course, often works well.
How do lessons work?
Lessons are normally scheduled in two hour slots, which include the flight, pre and post flight briefings and start-up and shut-down procedures. ICE Helicopters is open 7 days a week, so if the working week is not suitable for you, the weekend could be.
What else is needed?
All of the necessary books, maps and equipment that are required for the ground school and navigation exercises can be purchased from Pooley’s at Elstree Aerodrome, but don’t worry about those until you’ve got a few hours under your belt.
What about the weather?
All flying is subject to current conditions – if it’s unsuitable, we will contact you immediately to re-schedule your flight. We would ask that you please let us know at least 48 hours in advance if you need to cancel an appointment to avoid being charged a fee.
Can I fly other helicopter types (type ratings) with a LAPL?
To extend your LAPL(H) privileges to another type, you must carry out 5 hours of dual training along with 15 dual and 15 supervised solo take-offs, approaches and landings.
In addition, you’ll require a skill test on the new type as well as an oral theoretical knowledge element in Operational Procedures, Flight Performance & Planning and Aircraft General Knowledge.
Where can I land using my PPL?
The beauty of a helicopter is being able to land in places which other aircraft aren’t able to get to, such as hotels and restaurants (most do not have runways!). With a PPL(H), you can land anywhere that you have landowners’ permission for as long as it complies with various aviation law regulations that you are taught throughout your training.
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