MFH FLYING SCHOOL TESTIMONIALS

JULIE CHURCHILL – an MFH student Pilot.

"I haven't qualified yet, but I've got a good incentive to learn because my husband owns an R22 which I'm hoping to be able to fly as well one day. My husband flies to see his family in various places around the country which is what I want to do once I've qualified.  We live about 10 miles away from our various businesses but we can get to them in less than 10 minutes air time - particularly useful if the A14 is blocked up, which it usually is.

"It's been about 9 months since I started. I had my first lesson from a different airfield which was so-so but when I had one with Mike Horrell (MFH's chief pilot) it was a completely different experience. It was great fun because Mike's got the confidence and experience and handling skills to let you have a go at flying the aircraft pretty much straight away, whereas it seems other airfields haven't got the experience to dare let you have a go that soon. 

"It's very exciting learning to fly a helicopter.  I've done some fixed wing flying but the view out from a helicopter is fantastic. You can see everything and everywhere because the helicopter is so maneuverable. I was fairly used to being in a helicopter, but being a passenger in one and being in control of it yourself is very different. Luckily Mike's very good at giving you the confidence that you can do it.

"I suppose female pilots are the exception but you build your confidence gradually. For me it was a bit like riding a bike in that, once you can do it you can't imagine why you couldn't always do it. Learning to hover the helicopter was the turning point for me, because it's quite a difficult thing to do. Imagine trying to steady something that seems instinctively to want to turn, or go forwards backwards or sideways while also trying not to let it crash into the ground. It's pretty challenging but when I could hover it was when I realised that I could do what it takes to become a pilot. And it  really is very satisfying to be able to make a helicopter do what you want perfectly."

Dick Simpson, Qualified Private Pilot talks about flying through London and crop-spraying courses. 

"I've always wanted to fly helicopters purely for pleasure. When I found I could afford to do it I did it and it made me very happy. I've been qualified for five years and it was MFH Helicopters' Mike Horrell who taught me. I take my family places and my children love it.

"I love the versatility of the helicopter.  You can literally land in people's back gardens for a quick cup of tea and in terms of practicalities it's much better for getting around the UK. That said, flying through London is very challenging, especially flying yourself down the Thames. You have to keep very strictly to the heli-lanes, because there are buildings like the London Eye to hit if you get it wrong! And there's a lot more RT work – you have to be on the radio to Heathrow all the time and say all the right things, no room for error.  

"But I like tackling the difficult stuff which is why I've done some crop-spraying courses with MFH. I recommend it because it's a chance to do something you wouldn't normally even attempt in a helicopter. There's a lot of close-to-the-ground work which is what is difficult because that's where the accidents happen so the crop-spraying courses means you're getting the hang of the really difficult stuff – like doing the turns properly, low to the ground, and doing it well. The MFH Helicopters' courses are great because I don't think many companies in the UK do them and you don't get too much chance to practice doing that once you're qualified and on your own. Or at least, you don't dare without an expert like MFH's chief pilot Mike Horrell around.

"And Mike isn't frightened to take you out when it's  raining and it's a bit grim – it's not when you'd choose to go out on your own but if you had to, after flying with Mike, you could make the right decision and know that the weather wouldn't kill you. I've been out with Mike in very windy conditions deliberately  in order to learn. Other people will call off the lesson  but Mike has got so much experience he'll take you out in much more challenging conditions than other people.

"Getting your PPL (H) isn't the cheapest thing to do, and doing it is quite tiring so you might as well enjoy it. Some people aren't fun to be with at all – but Mike is really nice, a great teacher, very unphased, and very easy to be with. He'll have a conversation and a laugh and make it all very relaxed.  Everyone can learn to fly a helicopter but some people are better at teaching than others. Mike's a nice guy – not just a helicopter pilot – he' s got a sense of humour so it's much more fun flying with him.

"There are people I've met who have studied elsewhere but who don't feel like they've got anywhere and who still haven't flown solo after 40 hours! Then they come to MFH Helicopters and make amazing progress, just like I did."