The complete Arcus guide
From a first lesson to private flying or a professional career: an honest, practical explanation of the route, requirements and decisions involved.
01 · Where to start
Decide whether you want to fly privately, explore a possible career or simply experience a helicopter for yourself. A trial lesson and an honest conversation with a training school are better first steps than buying a large package immediately.
02 · Choosing a school
Aircraft and approvals matter, but so do instructor continuity, atmosphere, availability and whether you feel comfortable asking questions. Arcus actively encourages prospective students to visit other schools before choosing. You will spend a great deal of time with the team, so choose the place where you genuinely feel supported.
03 · Private Pilot Licence
Current UK CAA requirements are at least 45 hours of flight instruction on helicopters, made up of 35 hours of dual instruction and 10 hours of supervised solo flight time, of which at least 5 hours must be solo cross-country. That solo cross-country includes a qualifying flight of 185 km (100 nautical miles) with full-stop landings at two aerodromes other than your departure point. You must also complete the required theory, hold a Part-MED Class 2 medical and pass a practical skill test.
Actual completion time depends on aptitude, lesson frequency, weather and continuity. A responsible school should help you budget for competence, not promise that every student will finish at the regulatory minimum.
04 · Choosing an aircraft
At Arcus, PPL(H) training can be completed on the Robinson R22, Robinson R44 or Bell 206 JetRanger. A lot of students train on the two-seat R22 because it is the most economical route, then add an R44 or Bell 206 JetRanger type rating after gaining their licence. Many others choose the R44 from the outset because it is the aircraft they expect to fly once qualified.
05 · Ground school and examinations
Much of PPL(H) ground school is structured self-study. Arcus uses Pooleys-supported self-study textbooks and supplements them with personal teaching, explanations and practical context. Students are also welcome to use the teaching rooms at Arcus when they want a focused place to study or help close at hand.
How ground school works at Arcus, including the classroom and one-to-one teaching, is set out in full on the Ground School & Exams page. Tailored theoretical knowledge teaching for fixed-wing as well as helicopter students is also available through Arcus Ground School.
Rules of the air, licensing, responsibilities and the legal framework for safe flight.
How the body and mind affect judgement, workload, fatigue and decision-making.
Weather systems, forecasts, cloud, wind and the conditions that affect helicopter flying.
Aeronautical phraseology, radio procedures and the knowledge used in practical radiotelephony.
Charts, headings, tracks, time, distance and planning a safe route.
How rotor systems produce lift and how helicopters behave in different phases of flight.
Normal, abnormal and emergency procedures, operating practices and safety.
Mass, balance, fuel, performance and planning within aircraft limitations.
Airframes, engines, systems, instruments and the aircraft you are learning to operate.
£495 + VAT for all nine theory examinations. Course materials, tuition and the separate FRTOL radio test are not included.
06 · Radiotelephony
Communications is one of the nine written subjects. You must also pass the separate Radiotelephony Operators Licence (FRTOL) practical radio test and demonstrate the required English-language proficiency. It carries its own fee and is not included in the £495 total above.
£350 + VAT for the FRTOL course and practical radio test taken together.
07 · Cost and timescale
Total cost depends on aircraft type, hourly rate, actual hours required, ground-school materials, tuition, medical, examinations, equipment and test fees. Ask every school for a transparent schedule showing what is, and is not, included. Regular training often improves continuity, and students flying roughly one lesson a week commonly complete the licence in around 12 to 18 months, though the right pace must also be sustainable for you.
08 · Medicals
A UK Part-MED Class 2 medical is normally required for a PPL(H), while a CPL(H) requires a Class 1. If commercial flying is your ambition, discussing the Class 1 standard with an AeroMedical Examiner before significant expenditure is a sensible early step. Arcus can recommend several AMEs, so please do ask.
09 · Commercial route
Commercial training adds higher standards, more theory, medical requirements and experience prerequisites. For the UK modular route this includes 155 hours total flight time before starting, with 50 hours as pilot in command and 10 hours cross-country, and at least 185 hours before the skills test. The course itself includes at least 30 hours of dual instruction. Speak to a school before building hours so that the flying you pay for supports the route you actually intend to take.
The theory is a far larger undertaking than the PPL(H) examinations: depending on the route you intend to follow, you will sit either the CPL(H) or the ATPL(H) theoretical knowledge examinations. Arcus provides one-to-one tuition and support for both, so it is worth settling which set applies to your plans before you begin.
10 · Career realities
Employers consider experience, aircraft types, recency, attitude, references and operational suitability. Discuss hour building, instructor training, realistic first roles and total investment before committing. Good guidance should include the difficult questions as well as the exciting possibilities.
11 · Before you choose
There is no landing fee for students at Nottingham, so your hourly rate is the rate. It is worth asking every school the same question, because those charges are not always included in a quoted price.
Every question on that list, answered in full for Arcus: instructors, aircraft, availability, what is included, pacing, ground school and what happens once you qualify. Read our answers to the questions worth asking.
Licensing requirements and fees can change. The figures here were checked against the UK Civil Aviation Authority in August 2026. Confirm the current position with Arcus and the CAA before making training decisions.
Come and meet the team, see the school and ask us anything.
Speak to usStill deciding?
There is no obligation. Come and see the hangar, meet the instructors and ask the awkward questions.