Letter from Mark Donohoe
About HTT: Helicopter Transport & Training
Sydney Airspace Environment
Training Facilities and Aircraft
Flying Helicopters
Flying as a Career
Licence Requirements
Trial Instructional Flight (TIF)
Student Pilot Licence (SPL)
General Flying Progress Test (GFPT)
Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
CPL Program
Medical Requirements
The Training Program
Theory Exams
R22 Training Prices

Letter from Mark Donohoe

Dear Sir / Madam,

One-on-One Training at HTT

Thank you for choosing Helicopter Transport & Training to launch your helicopter flying training.

Our mission is to provide pioneering world-class training whilst maintaining outstanding customer service and a high level of customer support.

We believe in our vision of opening up a new concept in flying training and distinguish ourselves from other generations of flying schools:

1. We have the latest low time aircraft kept in immaculate condition;
2. We have structured free pre and post flight briefings over an hour of time to spend with you;
3. We regard our students with a genuine interest in benefiting them by providing a one-on-one theory lesson brief and a personal support during your exams;
4. We have the most cost effective training solutions to offer our students an individual training plan;
5. We are dedicated to helping you not only achieve your licence but also become a professional and safe pilot in the long-term;
6. We focus on value-for-money and high-quality training especially designed for one individual not a class;
7. We maintain our flying school in a supportive and open learning place culture and so we are always available for our students to discuss their needs.

This booklet has been developed to provide you with information about our flying school as well as our training philosophy: the one-on-one training plan. Please take the time to read it carefully, and feel free to contact us for any further information.

Your success as a client and helicopter pilot is very important to us. We welcome your feedback and suggestions to ensure that our flying training services meet your expectations.

I wish you a very rewarding training experience with HTT.

Best Regards,

Mark Donohoe
Flying School Director & Chief Flying Instructor

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About HTT: Helicopter Transport & Training

Mark Donohoe assumes the roles of Director and Chief Pilot, and is a Grade 1 Helicopter Flying Instructor with over 6,000 hours and 17 years of flying and operational experience. Mark has gained approved testing officer status from CASA in order to conduct Private Licence flight tests on behalf of CASA. All of our staff have been hand picked and are the top performers in the field of aviation. Together with Mark, our team includes three instructors dedicated to training services for one-one-one instruction from private to commercial licences, night VFR ratings, endorsements and theory ground support, and one charter pilot employed on a full-time basis.

HTT provides an array of services such as fixed-cost scenic flights over Sydney Harbour, Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, and Sydney beaches as well as executive transport, charity work, transport solutions to local community and sporting events, aerial photography work, and private hire.
HTT has also formed exclusive partnerships with clubs, private estates, and travel agents/tour operators.

As the helicopter service provider of choice, HTT is committed to:

1. Delivering quality training programs focused on outcomes that meet your needs;
2. Providing information and services that create an effective and supportive learning environment;
3. Monitoring and reviewing our processes to enhance our service to you;
4. Providing a great helicopter experience to every customer, every time;
5. Delivering innovative methods and ideas that exceeds market needs and improves the helicopter industry in general;
6. Providing pioneering world class training solutions whilst maintaining outstanding customer service and a high level of customer support;
7. Demonstrating a deep concern for human safety while embracing the highest standards of ethics and citizenship.

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Sydney Airspace Environment

Our training base is located at Bankstown Airport, 22 kilometres South West of Sydney's Central Business District and provides efficient and geographically central access to Sydney Flying Training Areas, Sydney Harbour and Kingsford Smith Airport. Additionally, Bankstown airport infrastructure provides us with all required support services such as refuelling, aircraft maintenance and servicing, pilot supplies and administrative and regulatory support. Entrance to our flying school is via Tower Road on the south-western side of the airport.

Established in 1940, Bankstown airport, located on the doorstep of Western Sydney, is the major General Aviation Airport in New South Wales and is one of the busiest and largest aviation training based in Australia. It comprises four runways and has its own dedicated Air Traffic Control Tower and uses GAAP airspace procedures. We conduct our flying training operations within and beyond these boundaries.

Sydney and Bankstown airspace environment enables intensive practices of essential radio-communication procedures in the early stage of the flying training. Air familiarization in both the controlled and non-controlled airspace environment is also of prime importance to demonstrate competency in flying in the appropriate class of airspace.

Also this diversity of airspaces reflected by its traffic and procedures will help developing your situational awareness to maintain safety at all times, enhance your sense of responsibility as a pilot in command and define superior flying skills.

1 - Bankstown airport's southern part offers a helicopter training area that we use for basic training i.e. hovering.
2 - From time to time, operations may be undertaken at one of the secondary bases, Camden and Hoxton Park aerodromes for solo circuits and autorotation exercises.
3 - Low flying operations are carried out in Erskine Park training area which allows for confined operations.
4 - Sydney non-controlled airspace (OCTA) includes fantastic areas such as the Northern Beaches, the Blue Mountains, the Hunter Valley?which you will overfly during navigation exercises.
5 - There are several different navigation routes from Bankstown airport offering diversity in landmarks and topography i.e. populated areas, bushland, mountainous relief, coastal lanes over water; and in airspaces i.e. Restricted, Danger and Prohibited areas; Controlled airspace CTA/CTR and NDB/VOR facilities to make use of radio aids.
6 - We also have specific lane of entry procedures and helicopter access corridors such as the famous Parramatta river to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
7 - Introduction to radar CTA/CTR procedures are possible with Sydney Airport/Mascot.

For us, Bankstown airport is an ideal location close to diverse training environment from where we are able to readily and timely operate all of the air exercises, reach the instructional objectives and meet the completion standards.

Local weather

New South Wales lies in the temperate zone so generally the climate is free from extreme hot and cold temperatures - the annual average being between 12°C and 21°C, with a rainfall average of 1,138 mm.
Our local weather enables us to operate in Visual Flight Rules throughout the year.
If you want to find out more about typical weather conditions in the southern hemisphere visit the Bureau of Meteorology at www.bom.gov.au

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Training Facilities and Aircraft

Our office and hangar space is a new, purpose-built complex surrounded by our seven helipads next to the control tower. Our premises include teaching facilities including flight planning/briefing areas and classrooms, lounge and kitchen. We have voluntarily exploited all of our airport ground space available to allow our helipads to ensure maximum safety and separation margin during the incoming and outgoing traffic of our helicopters. Tea and coffee making facilities are available for everyone.

Aircraft

The R22 is HTT's primary trainer and we operate 4 Robinson R22 Beta II two-seat piston engine helicopters for training purposes. We also operate a Bell B206 III JetRanger which can be used for advanced training. Robinson R44s (Raven II and Astro) are part of our fleet for endorsement.

The R22 is internationally renowned to be best suited for efficient training which is why it is now widely selected for flying training.

HTT only uses brand new aircraft. We have the latest low time aircraft and they are kept in immaculate condition. All of our aircraft are fully maintained as per CASA and the manufactures recommendations. We have enough aircraft in our fleet to readily provide charter service capability without sacrificing training aircraft availability. All of our helicopters are fitted with transponder and intercom (some with NAV aids).

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Flying Helicopters

To some people, helicopters are seen as strange machines that seem to be out of reach?Once you get the opportunity to mix with the somewhat exceptional world of helicopter pilots, it becomes an exciting machine with apparently no limits. In fact, men have always been fascinated by the performances and the technical possibilities of helicopters. It is capable of freeing itself from the infrastructure needed by the traditional aviation industry, thus bringing a feeling of total freedom. Helicopters have long been considered as complicated aircrafts reserved to a financial elite.

In fact, the mechanics of flight are very complex thus a high cost of production and maintenance. Nowadays, thanks to the progress and the use of new materials, manufacturers are able to reduce the operating cost per hour of flight within reasonable limits. However, learning to fly a helicopter remains a big investment and flying a helicopter requires a minimum of technical skills and a sound understanding of the principles and the conditions of flight for a rigorous precision flying. Although there are no formal academic entry requirements to start flying, undertaking a flying training course is far from easy but it is achievable providing determination and self-discipline. This is explained by the fact that the complexity of the flying handling is superior to the one of an airplane (natural instability of the machine) and the flying environment involves the proximity of the ground and obstacles.

After you experience a trial instructional flight, you might definitely catch the virus that will grow in you the passion of helicopters lesson after lesson. You will soon discover how theory goes hand in hand with the practice and that each flight is always a new opportunity to improve. This is also true after several years of flying where the theory is understood differently when it is backed by a long practice. So the benefits of your learning all come with time and, whatever the experience you gained as pilot in command, it is always a good thing to dive back into a flight manual and avoid flying as a habit.

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Flying as a Career

Flying is one of the most challenging and rewarding careers there is. A career as a professional helicopter pilot can offer a great sense of fulfilment. However the helicopter industry just like the general aviation is very competitive. Once you get your commercial pilot's licence, you might begin your career as junior instructor or charter pilots flying single-engine aircraft in regional areas. As you gain more experience and qualifications, you then have the chance to fly larger, more advanced aircraft.

So, you will have to build up your hours before you can tackle specialised flying operations. Which is why prospective commercial pilots should not expect to walk straight into a lucrative position and should be prepared to committing to a long-term rewarding flying career with the determination in order to overcome the initial obstacle of getting started as a low-hour pilot.

To launch your career and enter the profession as a vocation, you must first obtain the helicopter commercial pilot's licence, you must pass comprehensive theory exams and a flight test, which is completed after a minimum of 105 hours. Also, all along your training (should it be full time or part-time) your competency will be assessed as to achieve the standards set in the CASA Day VFR syllabus. This syllabus provides training and skills required for the issue of an Australian Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopter). The Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) allows you to act as pilot in command of some commercial operations. There is a variety of jobs that are available to Commercial Helicopter Pilots: Fire fighting; General charter (photography, film, survey); Emergency Medical Services (EMS); Instructing; Tour operations; Agricultural spraying; Corporate.

The skills demanded of a professional pilot include not only the ability to physically control the aircraft but also to make correct decisions in complex situations where time is a critical factor. In addition, pilots must take ultimate responsibility for the safety of all those who fly with them.

Though the amount of training required can appear daunting at first, remember that your goal is achievable, provided you have the dedication necessary to pursue your love of flying.

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Licence Requirements

Who is 'CASA'?

Just like in any other countries in the world, flying is subject to licensing. In Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) sets safety standards and ensures these are met through effective entry, compliance and enforcement strategies. Additionally, CASA provides regulatory services to industry, and plays a part in safety education for the aviation community. CASA also administers exams and issues licences for Australian pilots.

Licence categories are progressive and each licence level builds on the previous licence. These include the: SPL(H), GFPT(H), PPL(H), and CPL(H). For all, we recommend you start with a TIF.

These progressive levels of licence reflect a typical training syllabus. Note that a PPL is not a vocation, just an optional step leading to the CPL. However, you can choose to go directly towards the CPL without passing by the PPL flight test and theory exam.

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Trial Instructional Flight (TIF)

No previous aviation experience is necessary as this flight is designed to help you decide whether to continue flying and take up flying as a career. It's a 35-minute instructional flight plus briefing from one of our experienced instructors during which you will be shown the basic features of a helicopter and be allowed to take control and get to fly the helicopter.

At the completion of this flight, you should have a more definite idea and opinion of whether you wish to commit time and financial investment in seriously pursuing a career in aviation.

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Student Pilot Licence (SPL)

This is your initial licence for training and allows you to take flying lessons, including flying the helicopter solo.

Before going solo for the first time, you must be at least 16 years old and have:

1. Either a class 1 (commercial pilot) or class 2 (private pilot) licence medical certificate issued by CASA.
2. Passed the following theory tests as set by our flying school:
     a. Pre-Solo Air Legislation
     b. Basic Aeronautical Knowledge
     c. Flight Radiotelephone Operator
3. Been authorised by the chief flying instructor for solo flight
4. Completed a minimum of 8 hours dual instruction time

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General Flying Progress Test (GFPT)

This allows you to carry passengers while acting as pilot in command with a student licence. You must pass your GFPT before going for your Private Pilot Licence.

To successfully complete the helicopter GFPT you must have:

1. A Student Pilot Licence
2. 20 hours dual flying
3. 10 hours solo flying
4. Completed a minimum total of 35 hours flying
5. Passed a GFPT flight test

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Private Pilot Licence (PPL)

This category of licence allows you to act as pilot in command in private operations.

You must be at least 17 years old, have passed a PPL helicopter theory exam as set by CASA, meet all that is required for a student pilot licence, and have:

1. 20 hours dual flying
2. 10 hours solo flying
3. Completed a minimum total of 50 hours flying
4. A pass in the PPL flight test

Included in these hours must be at least 9 hours of dual navigation flying and 6 hours of solo navigation flying.

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Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)

This category of licence allows you to act as pilot in command of some commercial operations.

To gain a commercial pilot licence you must be at least 18 years old at the time of the flight test, have passed the 7 CPL helicopter theory exams as set by CASA, meet all that is required for a student pilot licence and have completed at least a total of:

1. 40 hours dual flying
2. 35 hours solo flying
3. Included in these hours must be at least
     a. 15 hours of dual navigation flying
     b. 10 hours of solo navigation flying
     c. 25 hours of general flight time as pilot in command (not navigation)
4.A pass in the CPL verbal and flight test

Where the last 30 hours of the course are done in 90 consecutive days, the minimum requirement is for a total of 105 hours flying. Otherwise, a minimum total of 125 hours is required.

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CPL Program

Your training program is composed of several distinctive flying phases or stages of training, and each stage corresponds to a level of competency in both flying training and aeronautical knowledge which progresses as you reach the final phase.


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Medical Requirements

You need to pass a medical examination before you are issued with a student pilot licence and before even considering flying as a career in order to make sure that you can meet these medical requirements. These examinations are done by doctors approved by CASA, known as designated aviation medical examiners, or DAMEs. We can help you find a DAME in your local area. Also a list of all DAMEs can be found on CASA's website www.casa.gov.au

Before you take your medical, we will arrange for CASA to issue you an Aviation Reference Number (ARN), a unique identifier that will stay with you for the rest of your flying career. The Doctor needs this number for your fitness report to CASA.

For Student and Private Licences, a simple physical examination (class 2) is all that is needed.

For a Commercial Licence, the examination (class 1) includes an ECG, an audiogram, a blood lipids test plus a specialist eye examination in addition to the general physical, depending on your age.

Medical examinations become more exacting as you grow older. If you have any concerns as to whether you would satisfy CASA's medical requirements, you can discuss your condition with a DAME or call CASA's national telephone number 131 757 and ask for the aviation medical section in Canberra.

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The Training Program

HTT Flying School's timetable is not based on an academic year or fixed scheduled course classes. With our one-on-one training program, you can start anytime and learn at your own pace.

How long does it take?

There are two elements to the pilot licence: theory and practice. That is to say: aeronautical knowledge and flying training.

Generally speaking, the time needed for each stage of your flying training depends on how often you can fly and on your own personal progress as an individual. Obviously, the less you fly or the less you study, the more your progress will be hampered by the amount of time needed for revision and refreshing at the start of each flying lesson. Reasonably, you should dedicate the time to fly several hours weekly and therefore think about starting your training when you are able to afford both time and financial investment.

Studying on a full-time basis is obviously the best option in order to make the most of your time investment. Continuous training maximise your level of accuracy, safety and consistency which are three important keys to a long-term career as a professional helicopter pilot.

Studying on a part-time basis is also available for students who are unable to dedicate 5 days a week to the training. However, it would be sensible to allow several periods of time per phase of flying in order to build-up a level of competency stage by stage and avoid the risk of having to re-train or revise to compensate for periods of breaks between the flying sequences. Nevertheless a minimum of 2 to 3 hours of flying training per week is recommended to maintain continuity in your flying progress.

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Theory Exams

Flying School knowledge tests are:

1. Flight radio operators licence (theory and practical). Pass mark 75%
2. Helicopter engineering. Pass mark 100%
3. Pre-solo air legislation. Pass mark 75%
4. First area solo. Pass mark 70%

All the above must be completed before students are authorised for their first solo flight.

And:

1. BAK. Pass mark 70%

To be completed before students progress to GFPT recommendation.

CASA cyber-exams are (recommended in this order):

1. Human Factors
2. Aircraft General Knowledge
3. Aerodynamics
4. Meteorology
5. Operations, Performance and Planning
6. Navigation
7. Air Law

All of the above must be completed before the CPL flight test can be undertaken.

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R22 Training Prices

Our training prices below do not include costs for theory books, theory exams bookings, medical examinations, headsets and other study materials, issue of student licence and other licences and flight tests by CASA examiners.

Payment for flying training, unless otherwise agreed, will be due on completion of each lesson. Full time training requires a block payment a short period in advance and these pre-booked flight hours can be purchased in advance in blocks of 10 hours at a reduced rate. A schedule of fees and charges is available on request.

Note that GST is free for the Commercial Licence only. The Course for the Private Licence includes GST.



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