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Here is a listing of helicopter schools in the UK. It is quite long, and covers all the regions of the UK.

If you are keen on flying as a career or as a hobby, you will certainly like to find out what it would cost you to become a qualified pilot in the UK. Most flight school websites give you just an indication of the costs involved in ‘earning your wings’.

Here is a list of possible flight training costs (check flight school websites for current costs)

• Minimum course price for a certain minimum number of hours (45 hours). In the UK, it is near impossible to earn your PPL (Private Pilots Licence), so add a few more hours as margin.
• Ensure that the flight school’s price includes VAT and fits your budget.
• Factor in the costs of a headset, logbook, pens, pencils, kneeboard, charts, rulers, protractors, flight computers, theory books, airfield directories
• Include an amount for fuel surcharge per hour flown, charged by flight schools
• CAA fees – Each of the seven PPL Theory exams cost £25
• Actual licence cost – check from the CAA
• Landing fees at the end of each flight
• Accommodation, food and transportation charges during your flying course

Look up these details provided by a flying school - Total Cost of 45 hour PPL.

Flying by yourself, as opposed to travelling as an aircraft passenger, means freedom in three dimensions. The idea of flying can never be dissociated from the implicit emotional element of breaking through land-bound constraints. Flying as a career certainly means a lot of responsibility, and you need to plan very well for a such a commitment. One of the first steps to such a career is to train at the right place.

Here is a checklist for you to choose the right flight school.

• Set your aviation goals – whether you wish to learn flying for fun or for a career?
• Put together a list of possible flight schools by compiling enough material – brochures, details from websites, credentials, user experiences.
• Prepare a list of questions that (most likely will) arise in your mind.
• Make a visit to each of the flight schools that you have narrowed down to in your list. Seek specific answers to your questions.
• Get a feel of the professionalism of the schools, from the personalities you meet in each school, to gauge their confidence levels, pride in profession and passion for the chosen career.  personalities of the schools.
• Talk to other students and flight instructors.
• Decide on the school after making a rational choice.
• Ensure to enter into a written agreement that details the payment procedures.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in aviation, one of the resources that you can tap for information early in your efforts is Next Step career advice Airline Pilot – All Information. You can easily get a quick picture of the work involved, hours, income estimates, entry requirements, training and development, skills and knowledge, opportunities, and plenty of related information.

Your next step would be to familiarise yourself with the range of flight schools or other training institutions in your region.

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