Nothing will improve your flying skills as much as the flight instructors course. Helicentre's FI courses are delivered by highly experienced FIC instructor Captain Geoff Day, and comprise 30 hours flight time with a minimum of 125 hours theoretical knowledge instruction. The course takes approximately five weeks to complete with two student instructors on each course.
Instructing is a great accompaniment to commercial charter flying and really keeps a pilot's hours up in the winter when seasonal charter naturally slows down. Helicentre are consistently looking to take on new instructors and have an excellent reputation for helping the "newly qualified FI" get their first break in the industry, guiding them through the 100 hour restricted status and investing time, experience and offering opportunity to quickly move them forward and achieve their flying goals.

In the last three years alone 90% of Helicentre's instructor course students have begun working for Helicentre as flight instructors immediately after completing training, and many are now working in all kinds of flying roles all over the world.
Places are limited due to popular demand and there is currently a waiting list for FI courses. You will find details of this year's upcoming course dates and availability below. Enrol now, or if you're not sure why not arrange an appointment to come and talk to us about how you could realise your flying dreams? Call us on 0116 259 0186.
| Course Pre-Requisites | |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Total Helicopter Hours | 250 hours |
| Total PIC Hours | 100 hours |
| Cross Country Hours | 10 hours |
| Theoretical Knowledge | Have passed the CPL or ATPL examinations |
| Medical Requirements | Hold a valid JAR-FCL Class One medical |
| Other Requirements | Have passed a pre-entry flight test |
| Required Type Ratings | Robinson R22, Schweizer 300 or Robinson R44 |
Geoff started flying at Biggin Hill before going on to join the RAF whilst at University. His first tour was flying Whirlwind helicopters on Search & Rescue at RAF Leuchars, during which he was awarded two immediate Queens Commendations. He then became a Flying Instructor initially on fixed wing before returning to helicopters to instruct on Search & Rescue.
He remained instructing and examining, holding the RAFs prestigious A2 instructor ratings for both helicopters and fixed wing, before “retiring” from the RAF in 1988. On leaving the RAF Geoff worked as a commercial pilot flying VIP charters, pleasure flying, loadlifting, firefighting and pipeline and powerline patrols, and as a helicopter instructor and examiner.
Geoff now specialises in providing courses helicopter instructor courses. He has trained over 200 commercial pilots and instructors, flies ten types of helicopter and has more than 22,000 hrs flying including over 15,000 instructional hours. He is also the author of bestselling book, "Helicopter Aerodynamics Made Simple". Geoff is highly respected in the helicopter industry, and you will come away from this course feeling privileged to have flown with such a knowledgeable and seasoned pilot.
Date : Mon 2nd April 2012 to Fri 4th May 2012
Location : Leicester Airport, LE2 2FG
Availability : 1 Place Available
Date : Mon 11th June 2012 to Fri 13th July 2012
Location : Leicester Airport, LE2 2FG
Availability : FULL
Date : Mon 23rd July 2012 to Fri 24th August 2012
Location : Leicester Airport, LE2 2FG
Availability : 2 Places Available
Date : Tue 28th August 2012 to Fri 28th September 2012
Location : Leicester Airport, LE2 2FG
Availability : 2 Places Available
Date : Mon 5th November 2012 to Fri 7th December 2012
Location : Leicester Airport, LE2 2FG
Availability : 2 Places Available
I am very pleased with the FI(H) course provided by Helicentre Aviation, a professional company providing a good service and where I met a lot of nice people. The experienced instructor Geoff Day made a huge effort to boost up my helicopter flying skills, I am a happy customer.
Roger, Sweden
Loved the FI course. It was very intense but thoroughly worthwhile. I would recommend this course to any helicopter pilot who wants to enhance their flying career.
Dave, Coventry
The flight instructor course was excellent. I started instructing the very next day after passing my test - my first trial lesson arrived the same day I collected my new rating from Gatwick, before the ink was even dry! Really pleased.
Llewis, Boston
A hard course yet very thorough. Helicentre has been a good company to train with throughout.
Ian, Leicester
This was the most enjoyable course of my flying career so far. I recommend anyone who is serious about flying to add the instructor rating to their licence - it has given me so many opportunities and I feel very lucky to be able to do this for a living.
Sarah, Birmingham
Enjoyed the learning process of the course, although I am guilty of making very hard work of some areas of the training. Over all excellent standard of tuition and I would recommend to others.
Sean, Liverpool
I passed my FI (H) test on a Tuesday afternoon, was working by that Thursday and have been full time ever since. Without question, a fantastic course, a fantastic team and a fantastic career. Thank you Helicentre Aviation, Leicester!
Dave, Lichfield
The FI(H) course, full time, is very intensive but very enjoyable - the five weeks have flown by! Helicentre is very professional and Geoff has been a great instructor.
Marcel, The Netherlands