Learn How to Fly Helicopters

North Shore Helicopter Training Limited (NSHT) New Zealand

North Shore Helicopter Training Limited (NSHT) is a well established school and one of New Zealand's larger training organisations, specialising in teaching people to fly helicopters. We are a close-knit team, dedicated and excited about helping you achieve your flying dream. We operate from North Shore Airfield which is close to a controlled airfield, with several excellent forestry and hill country areas that are ideal for helicopter flying. We are also only 25 minutes north of Auckland central.

You can take an Introductory Flight and experience the freedom of flying along with seeing some of the best sights and scenery around our local area. The trial flight is counted as your very first lesson. An introductory flight opens up the magical world of flying with you on the controls. We start with a full pre-flight briefing, running through all the controls on our simulator and how you, the pilot, operates them. We will also go through the protocols and safety aspects of the flight and where we will be flying to ensure you have as comprehensive an understanding as possible prior to boarding the aircraft.

We then walk around the helicopter completing our pre-flight check and take you through the start-up procedures and getting you airborne. As soon as possible after lift off we will start to demonstrate each control and then hand it over to you to fly and make the necessary inputs. Before you know it, you will have control, for that first taste of flying freedom!

The process for learning to fly has evolved over many years and is based upon military procedures used by different air forces worldwide. It is necessary for you to do plenty of back up reading to cover the topics. There are five parts to the learning/teaching process:

A short ground briefing covering the aim of the exercise, principles of flight, airmanship and the air exercise about to be flown.
A flight demonstration of the exercise then a detailed description of the exercise broken down into its component parts. During this the student generally follows through on the controls.
Hands on practice by the student, then evaluation and correction by the instructor.
More practice and consolidation by the student with instructor input as required.
A post flight de-brief.

At NSHT we have written briefing sheets for you for each of the main exercises. Generally you will be shown the next exercise at the end of the preceding flight and given the briefing sheet to read and understand prior to your next visit. It cannot be emphasised too strongly that it is essential that you read the sheet before you turn up for your flight. Many students rely too much upon the instructor telling them everything. While flying, it is not possible or desirable to go into detail about why things are happening. You will have your work cut out simply coming to grips (most delicately) with the helicopter. Nevertheless, you certainly do need to know about the principles of flight which affect the helicopter in order to become a competent pilot.

In the early stages of your flying there is a great deal of new material for you to absorb. Radio procedures can only be learnt by reading and practice. The sooner you can do the radio work yourself the better. The flying and ground subjects are not "hard". However, at the start there is much new information and terminology for you to take aboard. You do not require a degree in physics to become a good pilot. What you do need is an active mind, a relaxed body, perseverance, application, effort...

You can book your flying at any time, as we can cater for you on an individual basis. You just need to phone us. A minimum of one lesson per week ensures reasonable progress, but you can also learn to fly on a full time basis. Each flying session is 1.5 hours. About 20 minutes will be spent on your pre-flight briefing and preparation for flight, followed by about one hour of flying, then a short de-brief ...... and a cup of coffee!

You may initially have your ups and downs (other than the flying ones!). For those who have achieved their Helicopter Pilot Licence the sheer pleasure, reward and excitement far outweigh the occasional moments of disappointment that inevitably occur along the way.

We run courses so you can obtain any of the following: Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Sling Training, Mountain Training, Night Ratings, Instrument Flying, Formation Flying, Turbine Ratings and Instructor Ratings. Entry requirement: English speaking/writing and minimum age, 16 years. It is possible to obtain a Student Loan to cover the costs of learning to fly.

Whether you wish to pursue the challenge of flying a helicopter for pleasure or more seriously as a career, we can provide a range of options, tailor made to your individual needs and timescale.

Fly Your Dream