| 22 Apr 2007 |
Congratulations to Keith Gordon who today passed
his Skills Test and can now look forward to endless fun and flying as a
Helicopter Pilot! |
| 11 Mar 2007 |
Examiner Geoff Day was kept extremely busy today
as three more Scotia Helicopter Students lined up to take their Skills Test.
Despite difficult weather conditions and nerves all round we are pleased to
announce that David Littlejohn in R44, Willie Paterson also R44 and Bill
Girdwood in R22 were all successful. Congratulations to you all! |
| 01 Dec 2006 |
Scotia Helicopters currently has several ladies
learning to fly, and Friday 1st December saw Donna Furay make her first solo
flight in the R22. Donna is hoping to pursue a career in helicopter aviation and
so travelled to Gatwick earlier this month to get her Class 1 medical. Following
a slight problem with Donna's peak flow test, a medical certificate was duly
issued and the all clear given for solo flight! The only problem to contend with
now was the weather, which as we all know can be awkward at this time of year,
but Donna eventually took to the sky alone! Keep up the good work, Donna - its
worth all the effort! |
| 22 Nov 2006 |
Dean Buchanan decided that since he was denied
driving on the road, he should make use of his spare time and learn to fly! Not
one to be held back, Dean has quickly mastered the delicate touch required to
control the R22, and it was only a matter of waiting for a calm day in order to
send him on his first solo flight. The weather recently has been particularly
wet and windy, but the big day arrived and Dean was let loose in G-ORMB.
Congratulations Dean, on your successful first solo, we look forward to your
continued progress and hard work. Don't forget to study! |
| 18 Nov 2006 |
Having begun his training in the R22, David
Littlejohn finally decided that he would prefer to fly the larger, more
comfortable R44 helicopter. With the basic introduction and differences
explained, David was soon at ease and ready to take his first solo flight. As
Flight Training Captain for one of Scotland's larger commercial airlines, David
has taken to helicopter flight like a duck to water, and his first solo was
accomplished with quiet aplomb. David is now looking forward to his Christmas
break to take advantage of being able to fly every day, and therefore get
through the rest of his course and take his Skills Test early in the New Year.
Well done, David! |
| 29 Sept 2006 |
Being left standing on the apron was never on
Mike Healey's agenda, so he was desperate for a fine day to take his first solo
flight, so as to keep up with Catherine Tulloch! That day finally arrived and it
was smile all round as "Magic" Mike touched down after his solo flight! Now
comes the hard bit - navigation and landing away! Well done, Mike! |
| 15 Sept 2006 |
Catherine Tulloch took her first solo flight
today after an initial flight with Captain John Pearson. Your first solo is
always an emotional experience and Catherine was no exception - you always
wonder if you are truly ready, but of-course JP wouldn't let you out alone if he
has any doubt! Fantastic work, Catherine - we look forward to your continued
success! |
| 07 August 2006 |
On the morning of your Skills Test, domestic
arrangements such as shopping for milk are likely to the last thing on your mind
- however, Raymund Carrigan was thus charged with delivering the goods as the
office had run out of provisions! Calm, cool and debonair as always, Raymund
patiently waited for Dave Young to complete a LPC prior to his test. Not swayed
by a little quick fire round of questions from other pilots in the office,
Raymund quickly found his "air wings" and completed his route planning and
navigation. Listening to his pre-flight radio call we knew that any nerves had
been banished and that we would soon have another pilot to welcome into the
fold! Congratulations Raymund - now you are a "real" old stooge!! |
| 29 July 2006 |
Today was the day that Duncan Stanners finally
set down his student pilot cap and took up the controls as a fully fledged pilot
and PPL(H) license holder! Ever reluctant to take of his "training wings",
Duncan agreed that the time had come for him to face the examiner and get down
to business! Fortunately, Geoff Day was due to be at Cumbernauld for CPL(H)
training at the end of August, and Duncan was given his test date. The week
prior to the test was a flurry of revision, autorotations, quick stops and
sloping ground landings - not to mention numerous cups of tea, coffee and
chocolate biscuits, alongside the obligatory BLT and bacon butties in the cafe!
However, we can proudly announce that Duncan has now successfully joined the
ranks of Helicopter Pilots at Scotia Helicopters, and that we hope he will
continue to entertain us in the office with his wit and wisdom! Better late than
never, eh Duncan? (Including updating the web site!!!) |
| 18 June 2006 |
Belated congratulations to Jim Kerr who today
completed his PPL(H) training and was granted his license by Geoff Day. Jim has
been particularly prompt in achieving his license having only begun his training
back in March this year - however, at one point we did think about setting up a
camp bed in the training room as he was at the school so frequently! It just
goes to show that consistency and dedication has its own rewards! Well, done Jim
and good luck with your future plans for gaining your CPL(H). |
| 10 May 2006 |
Another student takes his first solo flight at
Scotia Helicopters! Jim Kerr took to the sky in our R22 Helicopter today on his
first solo flight. Jim has been unlucky with the weather recently and has been
waiting for a calm, bright day to complete this milestone, so he was happy that
the sun was shining with a light 5KT wind today! In fact, Jim is so keen to get
back in the flight seat that he has decided to take a second training session
today. |
| 18 April 2006 |
Two students today flew their first solo flights
at Scotia Helicopters. First Raymund Carrigan was sent on his first solo circuit
at Cumbernauld Airport in our Robinson R44 and then Kevin Moore took to the sky
in our Robinson R22 Helicopter. The first solo is an exciting time for all
students and is usually undertaken at around 20 hours training time. Both
Raymund and Kevin remarked that flying the helicopter alone was exhilarating,
particularly in that the difference in weight since there was no passenger meant
that the helicopter lifted more quickly than they were used to! Both students
now have to complete 5 hours solo circuits as part of their basic PPL(H)
training and Scotia Helicopters congratulates Raymund and Kevin on their
progress so far. |
| 02 April 2006 |
Our latest student to gain their PPL(H) is John
Dawson from Ayr. John started in the R22 and decided part way into his training
that it was more likely that he would be flying with friends and family and so
moved on to the R44. John took his test with examiner Geoff Day. Well done, John
- just keep those radio calls coming! |
| 31
March 2006 |
Congratulations to Isobel MacDiarmid and Reg
Donald who both gained their R44 conversion today with examiner David Young.
Isobel is our first lady pilot to complete both her R22 and R44 ratings - if you
watch the sky carefully you will probably see her flying over Stirling in a
bright yellow R22 helicopter! Poor Reg again had to battle with the elements to
get his R44 rating - of all our students, he has probably learnt to fly in the
most inclement weather! Reg, here's looking to sunnier days! |
| 23 March 2006 |
The first solo for any student is a milestone
looked forward to with both excitement and apprehension, however, Duncan
Stanners today achieved his first solo circuit with confidence! Well done. |
| 17
January 2005 |
Scotia Helicopters is named leading provider of helicopter flight training in Scotland |
