Having a private pilot’s licence can prove to be a very valuable thing. Not only does it provide you with plenty of opportunities for things to do, but it also creates various investment opportunities.

Many people have now started considering a helicopter charter as a unique gift to friends and loved ones. This means that there is an opportunity to provide this service and make some money. Not only does this provide you with something to do but it can also be a great way to help fund the upkeep of your aircraft if you own it.

Another benefit is that it can help to make your holidays extremely unique. How many people can say that they fly themselves on holiday? If you can do this it means that you can avoid long queues and check in times at airports and actually get on with your holiday. Obviously this is not practical for long haul flights but if you are going somewhere within Europe flying yourself there could be an exciting adventure.

A helicopter charter could prove to be very influential if you have a business client that you are trying to impress. Picking a customer up in a helicopter and then going that bit further by flying it yourself will no doubt create a lasting impression and they are unlikely to ever forget you.

Having a private pilot’s licence can provide you with a level of freedom that you have never had before. Sometimes when people are stressed out or have had a hard day they go for a drive or a walk to calm down. However, flying somewhere is likely to make you relax far more than anything else as there is no traffic and just beautiful views.

Having a pilot’s licence can also provide you with brand new business opportunities. For example, you could set up a helicopter charter company on the side which is more than likely to bring in some extra money. Taking out a couple of customers a week can be a very beneficial source of income and can help fund the costs of your helicopter if you own it.

Having a hobby such as flying and then having your pilot’s licence also looks good on things such as CVs and can also create a very interesting talking point. It is a unique thing to have and therefore people will be very interested to hear about it especially if you are running a helicopter charter service as well.

There are many kinds of helicopter in the market now, so you can demur whether which kind is the most suitable for you. The following knowledge that maybe you don’t know, will help you very much when you find a helicopter.

Helicopters are measured in terms of passenger capacity, comfort, versatility, speed, and of course cost.

Choosing the right one for you depends on these criteria. For example, if you want a cost effective helicopter strictly for personal use, you can take the Schweizer 300 or the Robinson R22 (helicopter for 2). It has basic comfort and few features.

The exact opposite are the McDonnell-Douglas 500, Enstrom Shark, and the Agusta 109A. They are fast and more convenient to fly.

In between these 2 extremes are Eurocopter Squirrel and the Bell Jet Ranger. These are single turbine-engined helicopter that are more commonly used for filming work and charter flying. The Eurocopter Squirrel and the Bell Jet Ranger are agile, fast, and comfortable, but are constrained to fly on a fair weather.

This is not the case with the Sikorsky S76 and The Eurocopter Dauphin 2 which can fly at 200mph and can accommodate up to 14 people safely and comfortably.

With these, we can narrow down your selection into 3:

Light Piston-engined Types – If you want a cheap personal helicopter that could sit for two, the Schweizer 300 or the Robinson R22 would be your choice. They can fly at the speed of 80-110 mph. With a seating capacity and small size, these helicopters are light, easy to fly, and easy to maneuver. Surprisingly, the light piston-engined helicopters use a more expensive fuel than that of the kerosene based turbine engines but they consume less fuel. However, the Schweizer 300 or the Robinson R22 is less buyable for charter and corporate use. They are more popular, however, on training and personal use.

Light turbine helicopters – McDonnell Douglas 500E, Eurocopter Squirrel and the (Agusta-) Bell Jet Ranger are widely used around the world for its practicality and mid-range amenities, comfort, size, speed, versatility and price. Private owner often prefer light turbine helicopters among other types for these given reasons. The look is sporty and performance is almost perfect (if not perfect).

Twin Engined Helicopters – Stronger, safer, faster and more versatile helicopters are the likes of the Dauphin, Sikorsky S-76, Agusta 109, and Eurocopter Twin Squirrel. These are powered by 2 engines and can go places that other smaller helicopters can’t go. These are far better choice for high-end market with high price bracket.

Once you get these information, you will be confident to choose a suitable helicopter for yourself.