JK Helicopter Training

JK Helicopter Training is one of the best places to do your PPL (H). I did a lot of research before choosing a school and I can say I am very happy with my choice.

I came to James Kenwright (the owner and lead instructor) with a proposition: to get me my PPL (H) in 3 weeks. Which is pretty unusual. He said we can definitely try.

My main instructor was Ewan. He is a great teacher with a very calm and positive attitude to teaching. Ewan worked tirelessly all week and all weekend, juggling his other students and myself. I would fly 3 + hours a day and study for the ground exams in between. I also had Leigh for one day to give Ewan a break and he was also an excellent instructor.

The school help you book everything: medical and RT exam. James also meticulously compiles all your paperwork for your PPL(H) to be sent off to the CAA, ensuring everything is documented correctly. So they will help you with all of the admin necessary to complete your PPL (H).

The atmosphere at the school is great. Old students frequently come in to hire helicopters and ask how you are doing and give you hints and tips. You are also able to mix with other new students so you can have the inevitable conversation of 'hovering is hard isn't it?'. I would describe this more as a club rather than a school, of nice, like minded people. And once you go solo, you get presented the coveted red jacket and become part of the club.

All in all, I completed my PPL (H) in 3 weeks and 1 weekend (unfortunately due to weather). So that was approximately 19 days of flying and 53 flying hours. I cannot recommend this school enough for doing a PPL (H). James also gives you the best rates he can, unlike any of the bigger schools which may say 'You can complete your PPL (H) for ~£17,000 ' but that is based on 45 hours and that is only achieved by perhaps 1% of students who are very young or who have, of course flown before. So when you are budgeting I would allow for at least 60 hours and if you are under that then great.

James and his team all share the same passion and enthusiasm for flying with an uncompromising approach to safety - exactly as it should be. Although only the dad of one of their students I always had the same warm welcome whenever I visited, either from James, the instructors or other students. There is a great feeling of camaraderie among the students and anyone wanting to learn the wonderful skill of flying a helicopter will surely be delighted with their experience of JKHT.

Trained me through my PPL(h) and I couldn't recommend them higher. A training organisation first and foremost, run by pilots who take pride in their job. Simple premises but a wealth of knowledge and experience - as it should be.

Disappointing visit. My partner paid for 20 min trial lesson in an R22, on arrival I was told I was too heavy for the seat. At the time of booking, no mention of max passenger weight at all, ended up getting 10 mins only in a larger helicopter, As for trial lesson, at no point was I invited to even touch the controls, the pilot was very pleasant and polite, but as for a trial lesson, it was an expensive trip round the airport. Won't be going back.

As a recent PPL graduate from JK Helicopter Training, I can wholeheartedly testify that JKHT are a safe, professional and knowledgeable flight school where the instructors have 1000’s of flying hours and 100% passion.
Personally, it’s been an incredible and enjoyable journey for me learning to fly a helicopter with JKHT for which I am so thankful for.
The school is like no other, more like a club where the instructors and students all get to know each other creating a welcoming, relaxed environment and offer a wealth of knowledge for any questions anyone has.
The EASA PPL(H) syllabus is long and exhausting at times but is taught safely, patiently, diligently and with enthusiasm creating an ideal training platform for students of all abilities. Yes, the learning curve is steep (I’m pretty sure I felt my brain rewiring itself when learning to hover!) BUT, the reward is an incredible life skill and bragging rights that can rarely be beaten!
Anyone reading this and is thinking of doing a PPL, I can safely say your first flight with JK won’t be your last!

We bought a trial lesson as a post-exam treat for our daughter and it turned out to be a great choice. Everything seemed very professional and safe, everyone was friendly, and our daughter got to do much more actual flying than I’d expected. She’s still talking about it!

Went to JK for a try fly Christmas present, and loved it so much continued to complete my PPL.
My instructor was Leigh who is a fantastic teacher and gives you the confidence to take on all of the new challenges that flying a helicopter presents to you.
I have also flown with James and Ewan, and the level of experience and understanding is in the DNA at this training school.
Highly recommend for anyone who wants to try one of the most exciting ways to spend time, from one hour , to a full training programme.

Fabulous as a gift for someone who wants to try flying a helicopter as an experience. Fun, knowledgeable instructors. Ewan was awesome and I would highly recommend taking a flight with these guys.