• Bell

  • Enstrom

  • Robinson

  • Schweizer

First Helicopter - Types

The most popular aircraft for training is the Robinson R22, and you will probably have trained on this type. Having passed your PPL(H), you may be tempted to buy an aircraft for yourself, and the R22 would be an excellent choice, if only because you have trained on, and are familiar with it.
You may however wish to take more passengers, or maybe larger passengers than the R22 can accommodate. The natural choice here will be the R44, the 4 seater Robinson. If you have passed your PPL(H) on the R22, then you will need to pass a three hour training course and flight test on the R44 before you are allowed to fly it, but this can be completed at many different training establishments throughout the UK.
The R22 and the R44 are the more popular aircraft in the lower cost end of the helcopter market, there are other options. The Enstrom helicopter can be picked up for around the same price as the R22. The Enstrom F28 is a three seat helicopter, though is more like a spacious two seater. Enstroms have a different maintenance regime and may be more suitable for the private pilot because, unlike the Robinsons, they do not time out unless they are used. To explain further, a Robinson has a 2200 hour life from new and has 12 years in which to use those hours. If the hours are not used, then they are lost. The Enstrom has component life (different timings for each component) but no time limit by when they have to be used.

Which Helicopter Type?

Robinson R22 Beta 2 If you have just obtained your helicopter licence and you are a PPL(H) holder, the chances are that you have trained and passed your test on the Robinson R22. For this reason alone, it is also likely that you will want to buy a Robinson R22. This would not be a bad choice but the Robinson R22 is not the only option for you and there may be reasons why another type will be more suitable for you.
You may however wish to take more passengers, or maybe larger passengers than the R22 can accommodate. The natural choice here will be the R44, the 4 seater Robinson. If you have passed your PPL(H) on the R22, then you will need to pass a three hour training course and flight test on the R44 before you are allowed to fly it, but this can be completed at many different training establishments throughout the UK.

The R22 and the R44 are the more popular aircraft in the lower cost end of the helicopter market but there are other options. The Enstrom helicopter can be picked up for around the same price as the R22. The Enstrom F28 is a three seat helicopter, though is more like a spacious two seater. If you have passed your PPL(H) on the R22, then you will need to pass a five hour training course and flight test on the Enstrom before you are allowed to fly it, but this can be completed at many different training establishments throughout the UK.