Question about Licenses.

[krispilot]

Hey

I got the ambition of flying rescue helicopters but i'm still in Yr12 so a while to go yet. But a question i've got is do you have to hve a fixed wing PPL before you get a Helicopter PP+CPL?.
I havent researched this question but i was wondering if someone on the forum would know it.

Thanks
Kris

[Daniel]

You don't have to to do your fixed wing PPL before your helicopter PPL onwards. However I think a few rotary pilot get some form of fixed wing licence to do their MEIR to save money (cause multi engine helis would cost alot).

[krispilot]

QUOTE (Daniel @ Mar 28 2010, 08:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You don't have to to do your fixed wing PPL before your helicopter PPL onwards. However I think a few rotary pilot get some form of fixed wing licence to do their MEIR to save money (cause multi engine helis would cost alot).

Cool
SO you can do your MEIR on fixed wing and that would cover your chopper MEIR?

[squirrel350]

Couple of our Rescue Pilots have a fixed wing PPL / CPL on top of the Heli PPL / CPL and some just hire fixed wings just to go for a change of scenery when they want to so your not restricted to doing one before the next.

SQ

[SA227]

QUOTE

SO you can do your MEIR on fixed wing and that would cover your chopper MEIR?[/quote]

If you have a read of Part 61.801 the helicopter and aeroplane instrument rating are separate ratings. You require a minimum of 10 hours dual instruction in the appropriate category of aircraft and you also need to meet the night flying requirements for the category of aircraft.
From my experience instructing and as a flight examiner typically you will need to do 25-40 hours of training to reach the standard for a MEIR. You could do the majority in a fixed wing aircraft and then complete the last 10 hours in a helicopter. That would give you a MEIR (Helicopter) but not MEIR (aeroplane).
The cost saving of doing some fixed wing flying is an obvious advantage.

[krispilot]

QUOTE (SA227 @ Mar 28 2010, 08:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you have a read of Part 61.801 the helicopter and aeroplane instrument rating are separate ratings. You require a minimum of 10 hours dual instruction in the appropriate category of aircraft and you also need to meet the night flying requirements for the category of aircraft.
From my experience instructing and as a flight examiner typically you will need to do 25-40 hours of training to reach the standard for a MEIR. You could do the majority in a fixed wing aircraft and then complete the last 10 hours in a helicopter. That would give you a MEIR (Helicopter) but not MEIR (aeroplane).
The cost saving of doing some fixed wing flying is an obvious advantage.

cool thanks for that. Very helpful