PPL(H) Preparation
As with fixed wing training, the PPL(H) flight training syllabus provided by the
CAA/JAA is made of a number of exercises. There isn't a fixed, prescribed order to the exercises that you will cover, nor is it mandatory that you will cover everything documented in the syllabus pages. What the syllabus will cover is enough practical activities to ensure that when it comes for your final examination you will be able to pass with flying colours.
As with PPL(A) training, you will need to log 45 hours of flying time before you can take your skills test. Of those 45 hours you must have at least 25 hours of
dual instruction time and 10 hours of solo flying time. For those of us who are
already hold PPL(A) licences we get a 6 hour reduction in the 45 hour total time.
You must also pass seven ground exams, however there is an exemption for those exams
already passed as a PPL(A) licence holder.
If you are flying intensively then the 45 hour mark may be achievable, however if you spread your learning over a period of time there will be inevitable revision exercises which will add to the total. In the UK you may also find yourself flying to a training area away from your airfield. This might only be 10 minutes flying time away but these minutes add up over your course. And there is the great British weather to contend with. You may get in the sky only to find that the planned exercise is cut short due to poor visibility and so you return to the airfield and have to repeat the exercise again.