Meteorology - this is one of the most important topics covered, as every flight you undertake will somehow be influenced by weather conditions. The composition of the atmosphere, formation of clouds, understanding synoptic charts and weather patterns and the effect of air temperature and air pressure on your helicopters performance are all discussed in detail. You will also learn to read aviation weather forecasts.

It is essential that you have a very good knowledge of the sometimes-complex Flight Rules and Air Law that need to be followed to ensure the safe conduct of a flight. Some of the topics in Meteorology are now put to use to determine if a flight can proceed after considering the weather. You will also learn about the privileges and limitations that apply to your Helicopter Licence, the requirements to obtain mustering, agricultural and sling ratings and the rules that apply to conducting charter operations.

Once the rules of are understood, you start to plan flights all around the country, which brings us to the point where we need to be able to navigate. You will learn how maps are made and with a little bit of practice you will be able to read all of the fine detail and information available to you on a map. You will also learn how to do basic navigation calculations on your slide Navigation computer. The ability to navigate accurately is a skill that will always be of great benefit to a pilot.

You continue to learn to use your flight navigation computer to calculate your expected ground speed, heading and fuel consumption during a flight, and are then shown how to plot positions on aeronautical charts. Eventually you will be able to plan a complete flight. The procedures to use when you are actually in the air conducting a flight are learnt next, and you will even learn the various methods to apply if you are unfortunate enough to get lost.

In the Aircraft General Knowledge section of the course you will learn about basic piston engine operating principles, followed by a good look at helicopter clutches, transmissions and rotor systems. You will also learn how the various engine and flight instruments in a helicopter have been designed.

Once you have a good knowledge of how the mechanical side of the helicopter works, you will learn how and why the helicopter flies. You will want to be able to achieve the maximum performance and safety from your helicopter, to do this an understanding of helicopter 'Principles of Flight' is essential.

Operations, Performance and Planning is the final subject covered. You will learn how to determine the maximum take-off and landing weights your helicopter can achieve under various conditions, how fast and how high the machine will fly and how far you can go with the fuel available. The most important safety aspects of flying a helicopter become apparent during this part of the course. A major topic covered is Weight and Balance. As you study this topic, you will learn how to correctly load a helicopter to ensure it can be safely controlled and manoeuvred through all stages of a flight. You will use this knowledge to understand the limitations that apply to helicopter operations, and avoid dangerous situations in the future.

Throughout the course you will have also been reading from our "Human Performance and Limitations" textbook written by respected aviation author and instructor, Bob Tait. This is an excellent textbook, written in a very easy to read and interesting style. The book covers the entire CASA Human Factors syllabus, which will help prepare you for discussion and practice Cyber Exams at any stage during the course convenient to you.

You will have to pass a theory examination, set by CASA prior to you being able to take the flight test. (These tests are similar to what you would do to get a car licence, except of course it will be for helicopters). There is a total of 7 exams to complete, all are multi choice and are computerised. The exams for the above subjects are completed during the course via computers at a designated office. The exam results are available upon submitting the exam. Please talk to one of our instructors if you want to know more about how the exam sitting system works.