Self-Fly Hire Terms and Guidance
To Book Self Fly Hire, call 01253808888 or email glenn@helispeed.co.uk
Self-Fly Hire (SFH) permits suitably qualified and approved pilots to hire and operate a helicopter without an instructor on board.
The hirer acts as Pilot in Command (PIC) and assumes full responsibility for the conduct of the flight.
This document sets out the eligibility criteria, permitted use, operational limitations, and terms applicable to the HeliSpeed Self-Fly Hire Programme.
What Is Self-Fly Hire?
Self-Fly Hire is the rental of a helicopter to a licensed pilot who meets HeliSpeed’s experience, competency, and currency requirements and has been formally approved for SFH operations.
Self-Fly Hire may be used for:
. Hour building
. Currency flying
. Leisure flights
. Approved positioning flights
Eligibility and Approval
Mandatory Programme Requirements
To be eligible for Self-Fly Hire, pilots must:
. Be registered on HeliTrax
. Be enrolled on the HeliSpeed Self-Fly Hire Programme
. Have paid the HeliSpeed Academy Prang Club fee
. Meet all licensing, medical, experience, and currency requirements
Approval for Self-Fly Hire is conditional and subject to ongoing compliance.
Operator Checkout
Prior to initial approval, pilots must successfully complete:
. Aircraft type checkout
. Local procedures and operating area briefing
. Emergency procedures review
. Review of HeliSpeed SOPs and operational limitations
. Enrolled on the HeliSpeed Continuous Pilot Development (CPD) Programme
Pilot Licence
Pilots must hold a valid UK CAA pilot’s licence with the applicable helicopter type endorsed
Medical Certificate
A valid UK CAA Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate, as applicable
Experience and Recency
Minimum experience requirements are set by HeliSpeed and may include:
. Minimum total helicopter flight time
. Minimum hours on helicopter type
. Minimum recent experience within a defined period
HeliTrax Registration and Monitoring
HeliTrax is HeliSpeed’s approved pilot management and compliance monitoring system.
Purpose of HeliTrax
HeliTrax is used to:
. Verify licence, medical, and aircraft type validity
. Monitor flight time, recency, and currency requirements
. Provide audit and compliance oversight
Pilot Responsibilities
Pilots will be required to upload and record within HeliTrax their pilot licence, medical certificate, logbook evidence (total time, type time, recent experience) and proof of identity
Pilots are responsible for ensuring all records in HeliTrax remain accurate and up to date at all times.
Ongoing Eligibility and Operator Rights
Self-Fly Hire approval is not permanent and remains valid only while all requirements are continuously met.
HeliSpeed reserves the right to suspend or withdraw Self-Fly Hire approval, with or without prior notice, where pilot currency or experience requirements are not maintained, HeliTrax records are incomplete, inaccurate, or out of date, safety, operational, or compliance concerns are identified or there is any breach of regulations, SOPs, or hire terms.
Booking a Self-Fly Hire
Self-Fly Hire bookings are subject to current HeliTrax status and eligibility at the time of flight ompletion of all required checkouts, aircraft availability, acceptance of applicable hire terms and conditions and the pilot account being in credit at the time of booking and flight.
Aircraft Use and Operational Limitations
General Operating Requirements
Pilots must, operate the aircraft strictly in accordance with the approved Flight Manual / POH Comply with all HeliSpeed SOPs and operational limitations observe all applicable aviation regulations, weather minima, and airspace requirements.
Prohibited Use
The helicopter must not be used, for any illegal purpose, for commercial flight operations, for passenger carriage for hire or reward, for any form of charity, fundraising, air experience, or promotional flights without the prior written consent of HeliSpeed Academy
Geographical Limitations
Unless otherwise agreed in writing by HeliSpeed, Self-Fly Hire operations are restricted to flights within the United Kingdom, any flight outside the UK requires prior written approval, additional conditions may apply to overseas operations, including insurance and regulatory requirements.
Permitted and Not Permitted Use
Pilots are permitted to Self Fly Hire with the intention of leisure and private flights, hour building and currency flying, approved positioning flights, flights within approved geographical limits and operations in accordance with HeliSpeed SOPs.
Pilots are not permitted to commercial flights or hire and reward, aerial work of any kind instruction or training of other pilots, flights outside the UK without prior approval, any breach of regulations or SOPs.
Fuel, Fees and Charges
Self-Fly Hire charges may be applied on an hourly or daily basis, as determined by HeliSpeed.
The applicable charging structure may depend on aircraft type, duration of hire, and operational requirements. The hire rate will be confirmed at the time of booking.
Hire rates may be calculated based on datcon time or minimum daily utilisation requirements
Fuel uplifted at Blackpool Airport is included in the hire rate. Fuel uplifted elsewhere, landing fees, and third-party charges are not included unless expressly stated.
Additional charges may apply, including but not limited to cleaning costs when the aircraft is returned in an untidy or unacceptable condition to HeliSpeed Academy, damage, defects, or excessive wear, late returns or failure to meet minimum utilisation requirements, payment of the HeliSpeed Academy Prang Club insurance excess waiver fee is mandatory
Pilot in Command Responsibilities
The Pilot in Command is solely responsible for:
. Flight planning and weather assessment
. Weight and balance calculations
. Fuel management
. Aircraft care, security, and post-flight condition reporting
. Completion of all helicopter documentation
. Compliance with all applicable regulations and procedures
Any defects, incidents, damage, or helicopter condition concerns must be reported to HeliSpeed
immediately following the flight and upon return of the helicopter.
Summary
The HeliSpeed Self-Fly Hire Programme provides qualified pilots with flexible access to helicopters while placing full responsibility on the Pilot in Command. Continued eligibility depends on compliance with licensing, currency, HeliTrax monitoring, and HeliSpeed operational requirements.
Failure to meet these requirements may result in suspension or withdrawal of Self-Fly Hire privileges.
Interpretation and Governing Law
These terms apply to all Self-Fly Hire operations conducted under the HeliSpeed Self-Fly Hire Programme.
These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction.