Balearic Helicopters

24/08/2026

Questions I Get Asked by Students & Pilots…. Is becoming a Flight Instructor really a good way to build helicopter hours?

For many newly qualified CPL(H) pilots, the answer seems obvious. You have around 200 hours, the industry is asking for 500, 700 or even 1,000+ hours for many commercial jobs, and you need to find a way to bridge that gap. So, the FI(H) course looks like an attractive option: relatively accessible, considerably cheaper than some of the alternatives, and it gives you the opportunity to fly regularly while gaining experience.

But there is a problem.

There are, in my opinion, two very different types of Flight Instructor.

The FI Collector is focused primarily on the logbook. Ground briefings are something to rush through, lessons are flown for as long as possible because more flight time means more hours, and the student's progress can become secondary to building the instructor's own experience.

Then there is the FI Mentor. Someone who genuinely enjoys teaching, wants to pass on knowledge and understands that the objective isn't simply to put another hour in their own logbook it is to make the student a better, safer and more capable pilot.

And there is another problem: the way Flight Instructors are often paid. If an instructor is only paid for the time the helicopter is actually flying, a “one-hour lesson” can easily involve three hours of their working day once briefing, preparation, aircraft handling, paperwork and debriefing are included. That makes it extremely difficult for good instructors to remain in the profession long-term.

So, is FI(H) a good way to build helicopter hours?

Yes.

But perhaps the more important question is: what sort of Flight Instructor are you going to become?

Click below to read the full article:
Is FI(H) a Good Way to Build Helicopter Hours?
https://balearic-helicopters.com/blog/is-fi(h)-a-good-way-to-build-helicopter-hours.html

21/08/2026

Spectacular lenticularis cloud over the Tramuntana mountains. For students who haven’t done their Met, this is also known as Biggus Windus....

Want to know the proper terminology? Learn your Met with Balearic Helicopters — because we’ll teach you the difference between Lenticularis, Mountain Wave, and Biggus Windus… and make sure you know which one to put in the exam!

18/08/2026

Repositioning from the UK back to Mallorca, making the most of the journey.

First stop: a quick coffee with Guy Ritchie, while keeping one eye on the clock and the other on whether Border Force fancied paying us a visit!

Then Caen for fuel before heading south in the R66.

Three hours later, we were in Bergerac, once again very happy to have the auxiliary fuel tank!

An enjoyable evening followed, with foie gras, steak & pommes frites and a rather good local red wine.

The next morning it was back into Spain, with a lunch and refuel stop in Empuriabrava before the final leg home to Mallorca.

UK to Mallorca in two days, three countries, plenty of flying and some excellent food along the way.

Just another positioning flight… although we’re not sure every helicopter journey comes with quite this itinerary!

14/08/2026

10/08/2026

Another Superyacht Helideck Training Course successfully completed — this time in Iceland, supporting an Arctic Explorer.

For an expedition yacht operating in the Arctic, helicopter operations demand a very different level of preparation.

Extreme weather, icing, rapidly changing conditions, cold-weather equipment, deck conditions and the realities of operating in remote locations all require careful consideration - with safety, preparation and crew competence at the centre of the operation.

We specialise in providing bespoke Superyacht Helideck Training designed around the vessel, its helicopter operation and its itinerary.

Our experience spans the globe, from Iceland to Ushuaia, and from Europe, the USA to the remote waters of French Polynesia.

Every yacht is different. Every helicopter operation is different. And every itinerary brings its own challenges.

Whether operating a helicopter from a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean, an expedition vessel exploring the Arctic, or a yacht undertaking an extended Pacific voyage, our training is tailored to the environment, the vessel, the aircraft and the crew.

Discreet. Professional. Operationally focused. Globally experienced.

For yacht owners, captains, management companies and crew who expect the highest standards of helicopter operations, we provide specialist Superyacht Helideck Training wherever your voyage takes you.

05/08/2026

AVIATOR.

Tim Hayden
Hagley West Watches

04/08/2026

When southern Europe is sweltering under a summer heatwave, where do helicopter pilots escape to?

Iceland, of course.

Balearic Helicopters instructor Eddie has just completed an unforgettable two-week Robinson R66 expedition around one of the world's most spectacular flying destinations. Towering waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, geothermal landscapes and some of the most breath-taking scenery imaginable combined to create a helicopter adventure unlike any other.

Every Balearic Helicopters expedition is meticulously planned to allow pilots to experience incredible flying while we take care of the logistics, route planning, permits, accommodation and local knowledge. Whether it's Iceland, Morocco, the Alps, the Mediterranean or beyond, our aim is simple:

Create extraordinary helicopter experiences that combine adventure, safety, learning and unforgettable memories.

These trips are designed by helicopter pilots, for helicopter pilots, allowing you to explore Europe and beyond with the confidence of flying alongside experienced instructors who know the routes, the challenges and the hidden gems.

There are far too many stories from this Iceland adventure to fit into a single post, so here are just a few photographs from an incredible journey.

If you're looking for more than just flight training, discover why Balearic Helicopters has become one of Europe's leading specialists in helicopter expeditions and pilot adventures.

31/07/2026

The Balearic Helicopters Tour of Great Britain 2026 finale...

Having explored the spectacular landscapes of Scotland and the English Lake District, it was time to head southwest and discover the beauty of Wales.

With the exceptional summer weather continuing to favour us, we routed through the magnificent mountains of Snowdonia, enjoying some of the finest helicopter flying the UK has to offer. Towering peaks, winding valleys and endless scenery made for another unforgettable day in the air before arriving at the beautiful Celtic Manor Resort.

From there, we repositioned to Cardiff Heliport, where we had the pleasure of catching up with the incredible crew from the Wales Air Ambulance. It was especially rewarding to see familiar faces—former Balearic Helicopters students who have gone on to build successful careers as HEMS pilots, carrying out some of the most demanding and rewarding flying in the industry.

It's moments like these that make us particularly proud.

Every pilot who has completed their Commercial Pilot Licence or Flight Instructor Course with Balearic Helicopters is now employed professionally somewhere in the world. Our graduates have gone on to become HEMS pilots, offshore Chief Pilots, Aviation Authority Inspectors, corporate and utility pilots, and even support anti-poaching and wildlife conservation operations across Africa.

For us, training has never been about simply passing a flight test—it's about developing professional pilots with the knowledge, judgement and confidence to build successful aviation careers.

Our brief stop in Cardiff also provided the perfect opportunity for Jonny to travel to London for the prestigious Helicopter Club of Great Britain annual dinner at the Peninsula London. It was a fantastic evening of fine dining, great company and reconnecting with friends from across the helicopter industry, including a fascinating conversation with Jonny and HRH Prince Michael of Kent, sharing stories about the unique experience of flying helicopters around the beautiful island of Mallorca.

Professional helicopter tours are about so much more than incredible flying. They create opportunities, build lifelong friendships and connect you with people from every corner of the aviation world.

Where will the next leg of the adventure take us? Stay tuned...

29/07/2026

The Balearic Helicopters Tour of Great Britain 2026 continues...

After several unforgettable days exploring the spectacular landscapes of Scotland, we pointed the helicopters south towards another of Britain's flying gems – the English Lake District.

With a UK heatwave in full swing and crystal-clear visibility, it quickly became obvious that hiking the fells could wait for another day. Instead, we experienced the Lake District the way it was meant to be seen... from the cockpit of a helicopter.

Flying through dramatic valleys, alongside shimmering lakes and over iconic mountain peaks, the scenery was simply breathtaking. It's a perspective that very few people ever experience and one that reminds us why helicopter touring is unlike any other form of aviation.

After an incredible day of flying, we settled into the beautiful Leeming House Hotel, overlooking the shores of Ullswater, where there was time to relax, enjoy great food and reflect on another memorable stage of the adventure.

Our journey then continued with a refuelling stop in Blackpool, ready for the next chapter of our tour around Great Britain.

These tours are about far more than simply flying from A to B. They combine spectacular destinations, carefully planned routes, real-world operational experience and the camaraderie of flying with fellow helicopter pilots who share the same passion for adventure.

Every day brings a new landscape, new challenges and another unforgettable experience.

Could you picture yourself flying here?

Join us on one of our future helicopter expeditions and discover some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe—exactly as it was meant to be seen.

23/07/2026

The Balearic Helicopters Tour of Great Britain 2026... and what an incredible journey.

Our first leg took us from Newcastle into Scotland, with an overnight stop at Prestwick, where we were treated to the impressive sight of military aircraft preparing for their transatlantic deployment to North America. A memorable start before heading towards one of the most spectacular flying destinations in Europe – Scotland's breath-taking West Coast.

From dramatic coastlines and remote islands to world-class scenery, helicopter touring simply doesn't get much better.

We then enjoyed a well-earned break on the beautiful Isle of Islay, taking time to explore its world-famous whisky distilleries. Every Balearic Helicopters tour is carefully designed to combine exceptional flying with unforgettable destinations, allowing pilots to experience places that few ever reach.

Of course, this is Scotland... and the weather reminded us who was in charge! During just a few days we experienced glorious sunshine, sea fog, low cloud, drizzle and strong winds – providing valuable real-world flying experience and reinforcing the importance of sound decision-making, flexibility and professional flight planning.

It's exactly these experiences that make our tours so rewarding. They are far more than a sightseeing holiday—they are an opportunity to build confidence, expand operational experience and fly alongside like-minded helicopter pilots, all under the guidance of highly experienced instructors.

The adventure has only just begun... stay tuned as we continue our journey around Great Britain.

If you've ever wanted to take your helicopter flying beyond the local area and experience some of Europe's most spectacular routes, our professionally organised helicopter tours could be your next adventure.