Dates

Duration for in-house: 6-8 weeks

Pre-Requisites:
Prior to sitting the exam you must have sat and passed a BAK (Basic Aeronautical Knowledge) exam with Beckers. We will then endorse your logbook and this must be shown to the examiner.

The in-house course is taught in a classroom at Becker Helicopters by an instructor. The correspondence course is a copy of our notes and is available at any time. The course is divided into the following stages:

Meteorology
Arguably the most likely event to ruin an inadequately planned flight is the weather.
To be able to interpret a medium so changeable one needs a very good grasp of the make up of the atmosphere and how it all interacts to provide the daily variations we experience.

As this subject rules our daily lives it is very interesting subject from a personal point of view as well as essential to safe flying operations.

After studying the makeup of the atmosphere and looking at Pressure Temperature and Density we move on to study clouds, motion of the atmosphere, visibility, Icing and a multitude of interesting and fascinating topics . Synoptic Analysis, Upper Level Weather and Climatology all add to the extensive understanding we must have of this subject.

Flight Rules and Air Law
Where would we be without rules and laws to ensure that we all operate on the same wavelength?
We study subjects including Aviation Law, Rules of the Air, Airworthiness, Licensing and Air Traffic Services in this section of the course and this forms a basis for all our flying and ground operations. To know the rules is to know the system and operating within the rules, while not only safe, is peace of mind.

Can you imagine what it would be like if everybody that was flying a helicopter or an airplane did so under their own rules. It is very important that we all understand the rules and regulations so that there can be order in the skies. This makes flying reasonably predictable as you know what to expect from other aircraft and from Air Traffic Services. Having a good grasp of Air Law actually makes you a safer and wiser pilot.

Navigation
The ability to move over the earth’s surface in a controlled manner arriving at a pre planned destination intact and on time is one of the world’s pleasures. Navigation is an art where following well-established principles will give you the ability to fly anywhere in the world with confidence. 

From the wonderful world of Charts and Maps through the mysterious subject of Time Zones we move into the more practical aspects of Navigation covering compasses, Gyros, Radio Navigation, Radar and Route Navigation using Area Nav systems, Radio Nav systems including INS and GPS

During the course we also look at limitations and errors that these system may have, Weather Radar and the use of ERC charts for navigation and many other types of equipment used in modern navigation.

This is where you learn to get from point A to point B safely and with sufficient fuel. To do this you need to learn how to use your flight navigation computer to calculate your expected ground speed, heading and fuel consumption during a flight and then apply them to plotted positions on aeronautical charts. We will show you different map scales and how to read them and we'll give you some practical tips on how to navigate safely and efficiently.

Aircraft General knowledge
For most people, learning about a piston engine is not too hard, as many have had a go on a car at some stage in your life. There are some of us, though, who wouldn't know a piston from a crankcase and for you we will endeavour to bring you up to speed. These two days will be spent revising some stuff you already may know and then showing the differences that exist in helicopter engines. Normally turbine engine training is conducted at a later date when you progress into flying your first turbine powered helicopter or as part of your ATPL theory training. This course also covers hydraulics, airframes, electrical, and other aviation general knowledge questions.

Aircraft Systems includes Flight Controls, Hydraulic Systems, Electrical systems and Fuel systems. Gas Turbine theory and Engine construction is a fascinating subject as is FMS (Flight Management Systems), EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument Systems) and many more.  Some of these subjects we only lightly touch on and other we study to ad nauseum.

Many of these systems will be able to be demonstrated on actual operational machines furthering your understanding.

Aerodynamics (Principles of Flight)
Mike Loves to call this section Principles of Fright!!! Here is where you gain an understanding of why and how the helicopter flies, what influences control inputs and why the blades continue to turn when the engine has stopped! We also cover other factors which effect helicopter flight and how can you get the best performance from your machine. If you have a good understanding of why your helicopter is flying then in all
situations you can get the best from it.

This subject covers a very wide range of topics that are essential in the understanding of how your helicopter operates to ensure safe and efficient flight. Various characteristics of helicopter flight can be safely controlled only when you have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of them.

We will study advanced Aerodynamics, stability, Autorotation and then give you a full understanding of the special aerodynamic effects particular to helicopters.

Operations, performance and planning
Performance and Operations is based on a Bell Long Ranger, and guess what, we have one on the airfield being utilised by the local Rescue organisation that we have access to and you can have a look at. You will learn how to determine the maximum take-off and landing weights your helicopter can achieve under certain conditions, how fast and how high the machine will fly and how far you can travel with the amount of fuel on board. You will gain knowledge and understand the limitations that apply to flying a helicopter and how to avoid dangerous situations.

Flight Planning is the subject that requires the most meticulous calculations and is also the most satisfying, as there is an absolute truth in the axiom of the 5 P’s “Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance”
This is where it all comes together and we mix elements of Performance, Loading, Flight Planning, Meteorology and Navigation to produce that perfect flight that is well planned, executed, and conducted in a Professional manner that makes it seem routine.
Using the Bell 206 Long Ranger as the Generic Helicopter and the Performance Data Manual provided by CASA we will study Weight and Balance, Route selection, fuel planning and many other essential subjects that lead to conducting a successful flight.
PNR (Point of No Return) and CP and ETP (Critical Point and Equal time Point) for multi engine helicopters is an interesting exercise using the calculations we have made for the flight. Each step is dependant on a previous step for the correct answer so accuracy is paramount for each stage.

To be able to operate your helicopter to its full potential thereby yielding value for both the operator and the client while operating within the machines limits and conducting safe operations we must have a very sound knowledge of its performance envelope

This course covers calculation of Weight and Balance, 'Category A' takeoff and landing performance and techniques, 'Category B' performance requirements and CAO 20.7.1(B), so that you understand the reasons behind the operational performance standards.

While it is a “dry” subject it is essential knowledge as Cat A performance is very exacting in its execution.

Human factors
Knowing how our body works is as important as knowing how our helicopter systems and equipment work.
Without an understanding of how our mind and body work, we cannot operate safely in the aviation industry, as it is an unforgiving environment for the uneducated.
How well we operate is directly related to how safely the helicopter operates. We are the most important element in any flight.
This is another subject which has a personal as well as an aviation element to it and through studying how we behave and process information we can understand others and ourselves.
We look at Human Information Processing, Human Behaviour, Attitude Judgment and Decision making as just some of the essential subjects we need to understand for flying safely.
Fatigue, Stress and Dehydration are everyday occurrences but can have a very great influence on the conduct of your operations.

Throughout the course, you will have been reading the book "Human Performance and Limitations" We will then spend half a day going over the questions in that book so you gain an understanding of what limits with regards to fatigue, smoking, hearing, sight etc. are placed on you as a pilot. We'll prove to you that a hard night out is going to hurt the next day & remember 8 hours bottle to throttle!!

Trial Exams and revision
Here the rubber meets the road and you get a good idea of how prepared you are for the final CASA CPL(H) theory exam. We give you two to three trial exams which are designed to accurately recreate the work load, style and difficulty of exam questions within time restrictions of the actual CASA CPL(H) examinations. This ensures that by the end of the course, you will have had not only considerable tuition and revision of all subjects, but you will also have developed a very good exam technique. Exam technique can be just as important as knowledge of the topic in the limited time given to complete the exams. If you have not passed at least one of these trial exams we will not let you sit the CASA exams. Instead we will work with you some more, until we are more confident in your results.

Dates
Enrol

Duration: 2 days

Pre-Requisites:
Must hold a valid Australian PPL or CPL The course is taught in a classroom at Becker Helicopters by an instructor and is divided into the following stages:

Pilot requirements, Aircraft requirements, Airfield requirements, Human factors, Pressure instruments, Gyro instruments and the magnetic compass, Instrument flight and basic instrument manoeuvres, Navigation aids and Flight planning. The theory course includes some time on the computer simulator to help introduce instrument flying skills.

The material provided includes; NVFR notes, Trial examinations and answers.
After completing the on-line exam you will then be able to print out a certificate stating a pass
in the course. You can then give this to your flight school to include in your training records.

Enrol

Duration: 2 weeks

Pre-Requisites:
Must hold a valid PPL or CPL
The in-house course is taught in a classroom at Becker Helicopters by an instructor. The correspondence course is a copy of our notes and available at any time.

The ultimate in Professional Helicopter flying has to be Instrument Flying, off shore, in marginal weather. Combined with the normal range of situations presented to Helicopter Pilots to add Radar Approaches to Platforms with 50ft Square Decks at night in weather when any sane person would be home in bed requires a level of discipline not experienced in any other type of flying.
Instrument flying is challenging, demanding, exciting and fun. To complete an IFR Flight in difficult conditions is very satisfying as the level of accuracy, competency and knowledge all needed to ensure a safe flight is very high.
The workload can be extremely high although flying on Instruments is not particularly difficult. In some ways it is easier as so many procedures are proscribed.
It is the rate at which things happen, the amount of information that needs to be processed and the decision making required as well as flying the aircraft accurately following many rules and procedures that makes this a demanding task.
Instrument flying is a mind game of situational awareness, procedures, rules and flight management where actually flying the machine has to be second nature.

The IREX course while purely theoretical is the essential basis from which the IFR pilot gains the knowledge that allows them to conduct safe operations in a sometimes-hostile environment.
During this course we study all the regulations and orders pertaining to Instrument Flight, the navaids and GPS , arrival and departure procedures , all types of approaches, alternates while we cover the syllabus in depth.

Dates
Enrol

Duration: 2 Days

Pre-Requisites:
None.

The in-house course is taught in a classroom at Becker Helicopters by an instructor. The correspondence course is a copy of our notes and available at any time. The course is divided into the following stages

Before doing any flying in a turbine helicopter you must study a course of training on the turbine engine, how it works, problems you can encounter with it, how to operate it and what to look out for.

After completing the on-line exam you will then be able to print out a certificate stating a pass
in the course. You can then give this to your flight school to include in your training records.

Enrol

Duration: 2 Days

Pre-Requisites:
None.

The in-house course is taught in a classroom at Becker Helicopters by an instructor. The correspondence course is a copy of our notes and available at any time.

For each helicopter that you fly you need to have a good understanding of its systems. We have type technical courses and pre-flight training DVDs for you to keep for the R22, H300 (DVD NYA), Bell47, Jet Ranger (DVD NYA) and AS350B Squirrel (DVD NYA).

After reading through the notes and where appropriate watching a pre-flight DVD, we have an open book endorsement questionnaire for you to go through.

After completing the on-line exam you will then be able to print out a certificate stating a pass in the course. You can then give this to your flight school to include in your training records.

Enrol

Duration: 1 Day

Pre-Requisites:
None.

The in-house course is taught in a classroom at Becker Helicopters by an instructor. The correspondence course is a copy of our notes and available at any time.

This is a small course and exam based on Trevor Thoms Flight Radio Operators book. Prior to going solo you need to know how to use the VHF radio and be able to trouble shoot should you have problems with it.

After completing the on-line exam you will then be able to print out a certificate stating a pass
in the course. You can then give this to your flight school to include in your training records.

Enrol

Duration: 1 Day

Pre-Requisites:
None. The course is taught in a classroom at Becker Helicopters by an instructor.

This is an on-line exam covering all topics in the PPL/CPL theory course and is a pre-requisite to you sitting the CASA CPL (H) final exam. When you pass this exam the Chief Flight Instructor will endorse it in your log book and this must then be presented to the CASA representative supervising your exam.

After completing the on-line exam you will then be able to print out a certificate stating a pass in the course. You can then give this to your flight school to include in your training records.

Enrol

Duration: 1 Day

Pre-Requisites:
None. The course is taught in a classroom at Becker Helicopters by an instructor.

This is an on-line exam covering topics in the PPL/CPL Air Law theory course and is a pre-requisite to you going for your first solo. Because you may go solo before you have finished the PPL/CPL theory the CASA want to know that you have some knowledge of the law before you are sent on your own. When you pass this exam the Chief Flight Instructor will endorse it in your logbook.

After completing the on-line exam you will then be able to print out a certificate stating a pass in the course. You can then give this to your flight school to include in your training records.

Enrol

Duration: 1 Day

Pre-Requisites:
None.

This is an on-line course and exam are provided by The Australian College of Aviation. To exercise the privileges of a CPL licence in Australia, every two years you must do or redo a Dangerous Goods course.

After completing the on-line exam you will then be able to print out a certificate stating a pass
in the course. You can then give this to your flight school to include in your training records.

Dangerous goods courses can be completed here

Duration: 3 weeks

Pre-Requisites:
Must hold a valid CPL.

The in-house course is taught in a classroom at Becker Helicopters by an instructor. The correspondence course is a copy of our notes and available at any time.

In Australia a CPL (H) holder cannot become an instructor until they have completed 400 helicopter flight hours and then a 40-hour course of dual instruction. Achieving an instructor rating in
Australia is difficult. Currently we do not do instructor flight training however we do offer an instructor ground course where we provide board briefs, how to instruct notes and if desired a set of DVDs of instructors doing the board briefs so you can see what it looks like.

The course includes the following topics:

The helicopter instructor, the student, Division of responsibilities, Fundamentals of instruction, The flying training syllabus, Trial instruction flight, Effects of controls, Elementary handling, Hover, Circuit, Lift-off, landing and pattern hover, Introduction to autorotations, Advanced autorotations, jammed controls, limited power operations, sloping and uneven ground operations, confined areas, emergencies and forced
landings, low level manoeuvring, mountain flying, basic instrument flying, and navigation.

Material provided included a set of instructor notes, board briefs and training DVDs for each
exercise.

Enrol

Pre-Requisites:
None.

The correspondence course is a copy of our notes and available at any time.

The course consists of a set of notes and 4 DVDs that we send out to you. At the end of each section you have a set of questions to answer, which must be sent back to us for marking, or completed on-line. On successful completion of the course we will issue you with a certificate stating that you have completed the Ground Course requirement for the R22 safety course.

The course consists of the following stages.
The pre flight inspection, endorsement questionnaire, engines and associated systems, rotor system, general, fuel system, emergencies, tricky questions, R22 check list, the flight manual, safety notices, weight and balance, aerodynamics that relate to you, mustering, human factors and insurance.

You will also receive the following DVDs for you to keep. The R22 pre-light inspection, Aerodynamics, Mustering and Insurance & Human factors.

On successful completion of the course we will issue you with a certificate stating that you have completed
the Ground Course requirement for the R22 safety course.

Enrol