Frequently Asked Questions:
1) Can I fly a British registered helicopter in UK airspace on the FAA PPL (H)?
Answer: Yes.
2) Am I restricted to day flying only in the UK on an FAA PPL (H)?
Answer: No. Unlike the JAA PPL (H), the FAA PPL (H) includes a night rating which gives you all the night privileges in UK airspace in a British or N registered helicopter.
3) How long is my FAA PPL (H) certificate valid for?
Answer: JAA PPL (H) 5 years – FAA PPL (H) for life.
4) How do I maintain my FAA helicopter PPL?
Answer: You will need to do a two yearly check flight with an FAA PPL compared to the JAR PPL where you are restricted to one helicopter type only and need a check flight on each type.
5) If I want to pursue a JAA CPL (H) do I need the JAA PPL (H)?
Answer: No. The JAA CPL Modular course only requires that you hold an ICAO PPL with a night rating and a total of 150 hours. You are better off with the FAA PPL as, unlike the JAA PPL, it already includes the night rating.
6) Can I fly a British registered helicopter from the UK to another European country on an FAA PPL?
Answer: Yes. Your license is an ICAO license, exactly the same as a JAR license. This means that your license is recognized in all 187 ICAO contracting states.
7) Is an ICAO multi-
Answer: Yes. You can fly any British registered multi-
8) Can I fly my friends and family immediately on completion of my course?
Answer: Yes. You can immediately take passengers after your successful check ride
for your FAA PPL. The JAA PPL, however, takes about 8-
9) How many exams do I need to take for the JAR PPL compared to the FAA PPL?
Answer: 8 examinations for the JAR PPL as opposed to 1 for the FAA PPL.
The bottom line is that you have better flight privileges in the UK and throughout the world with an FAA PPL (H) than you do with the JAA PPL (H). We would be happy to put you in touch with the relevant department of the UK Civil Aviation Authority to confirm this. Sadly, some UK based flight schools will give disinformation to inquirers about ICAO licenses in the hope you will spend three times what it will cost to train with us, and train with them. Our weather is better, too!
Dutch Country Helicopters