HeliSpeed Academy has added five hours of UK CAA-approved simulator training to its helicopter Private Pilot Licence (PPL) syllabus, making safety and decision-making skills a central part of initial flight instruction.

The simulator programme allows students to experience scenarios that cannot be safely replicated in real aircraft. These include emergency procedures, vortex ring state recovery, poor visibility operations, sloping ground landings and confined area techniques. The aim is to develop confident pilots with stronger risk awareness from the start.

Geoffrey Packer, CEO of HeliSpeed Academy, says: “Traditional PPL training does not always allow pilots to experience and manage high-risk scenarios. By incorporating these crucial simulator sessions into the PPL(H) CAA approved training course, we are bridging that gap, giving our students the opportunity to learn and adapt to real-world challenges safely. This safety initiative is a significant step towards enhancing flight safety and operational competence.”

HeliSpeed says this approach produces more competent aviators who instinctively assess and mitigate risks. The CAA-approved simulator training is designed to improve proficiency in high-stress situations while reinforcing safe flying habits early in a pilot’s career.