Helicopter Engineer


	British Helicopter Advisory Board

	I want to be a Helicopter Engineer

Introduction
The world of rotary winged aviation is fast moving, technically demanding and highly professional. Although a downturn in the economy reduced the number of vacancies, there will always be a need for high calibre men and women to train as helicopter engineers.

Although there is no formal nationally recognised Licensed Engineer Training Scheme, several companies engaged in helicopter maintenance run Apprenticeship Schemes to enable engineers to train and obtain the CAA qualifications, which are recognised throughout the British helicopter industry.

What do I need to join?
School leavers from the age of 16 are eligible for employment as apprentice or trainee engineers. Apart from being physically fit, minimum qualifications are one of the following:-

4 GCSE's (English, Maths, Physics plus one other subject)
City & Guilds 205/259 Aeronautical Engineering
The equivalent at company discretion

How do I apply?
The candidate should apply for employment with one of the helicopter maintenance companies listed below. If accepted he or she carries out an approved training programme.

As the trainee passes each section of training it is signed off in a Log Book, which is an individual's personal record of training and standards achieved. On completion of this period of training (estimated at 3-3½ years), the apprentice qualifies as an aircraft fitter.

At this point the company must decide whether the trainee has sufficient potential to achieve the qualification of Licensed Engineer (without type rating). If selected, he or she becomes a Licensed Engineer (Designate), and attends a course of training at a recognised aeronautical engineering training establishment to prepare for the CAA examinations. (NB Licensed Engineer status is only available to persons of 21 or more years of age)

Those who are not selected as potential licensed engineers remain as fitters, but with further development and experience they could be selected to go forward at a later stage.

Is it just on-the-job training?
No. All apprentices will attend formal training, for example a City & Guilds Craft Course or BTECH Studies Course, at a local Technical College to ensure that background theoretical subjects are covered as well.

More about the Apprentice Training Log Book
The Log Book will be a complete record of all training carried out by each individual apprentice, including aviation theoretical studies carried out on day release courses. It will be based on the ATA Aeronautical Engineering Skills Certification Scheme, but will be modified to cover the specific needs of the helicopter industry.

If an apprentice decides to move to another company during training, the Log Book will be recognised by other companies in the scheme as a record of training carried out and results achieved.

What if I am already an experienced engineer?
The same principles apply to engineers for other walks of life, perhaps from the Armed Services or the automotive trade. Individual experience and qualifications will determine at what stage an engineer may join the scheme. For example, an ex-serviceman with dual trade qualifications and a proven record of experience may qualify as a fitter, and thus as a Licensed Engineer (Designate).

In other cases it may be necessary to fill gaps in training, in which case he or she would be required to complete specific training modules before continuing on to Licensed Engineer training.

The Future
Sector Skills Councils are being developed by the Government and aeronautical engineering is allied to the Science Engineering and Marine Training Association (SEMTA).

Where do I go from here?
If you meet the educational qualifications referred to at the beginning of this page, want to work with helicopters and find out more, contact the member helicopter maintenance company nearest to you. Refer to the Information Handbook.

Hopefully we have given you an idea of the prospects for training as a helicopter engineer. Specific questions on the subjects of eligibility or training should be addressed directly to the companies listed below.

Manufacturers, Engineering and Maintenance Companies

Operator	Location(s)	Contact No(s)
AgustaWestland	Yeovil Italy	01935 475222 +39 0331 229111
Anglian Air Centre/Swift Helicopters	Norwich	01603 410866
Bond Air Services Ltd	Aberdeen, Blackpool, Cosford, Chelmsford, East Midlands, Exeter, Glasgow, Henstridge, Inverness, Newquay, Staverton, Strensham, Sullom Voe, Swansea, White Waltham	01452 856007
Bond Offshore Helicopters Ltd	Aberdeen	01224 729698
Brian Seedle Helicopters Ltd (Aircraft Maintenance)	Blackpool Airport	01253 342754
Bristow Technical Services Ltd	Redhill Aberdeen	01737 822353
British International Ltd	Plymouth	01752 292730
Castle Air	Liskeard	01503 240543
Fast Helicopters Ltd	Shoreham Airport, Thruxton Airfield	01273 465389
Harrods Aviation	Stansted Luton	01279 665300
Heli Air Ltd	Denham Wellesbourne	01895 835333
Heli-Charter Ltd	Manston, Kent	01843 822555
Helicopter Training & Hire Ltd	Newtownards Airfield	028 9182 0028
HJS Helicopters	Aberdeen	01224 739115
London Helicopter Centres Ltd	Redhill	01737 823514
Mann Aviation Group (Engineering) Ltd (Alan Mann Group)	Fairoaks, Chobham	01276 857888
McAlpine Helicopters Ltd	Oxford	01865 841188
Multiflight Ltd	Leeds	0113 238 7100
PDG Helicopters	Inverness, Cumbernauld, Kintore, Kyle of Lochalsh/Plockton, Dublin	0870 607 9000
PremiAir Aircraft Engineering Ltd	Blackbushe Denham	01252 890089 01895 830900
Rise Helicopters	Gloucestershire	01452 857083
Sloane Helicopters Ltd	Sywell	01604 790595
South Yorkshire Police Air Support Unit	Sheffield	0114 220 2986
Specialist Aviation Services (Medical Aviation Services Ltd/Police Aviation Services Ltd)	Staverton	01452 857999
Sterling Helicopters Ltd t/a Sterling Aviation	Norwich	01603 417156
Tiger Helicopters Ltd	Shobdon	01568 708028
Total Air Management Services	South Yorkshire	01709 710333

Return to BHAB Home Page

All About Helicopters | Training | Guidelines & Codes of Conduct | Chartering a Helicopter | General Index