Learning to Fly

TRIAL LESSONS

Come and see what it’s like to fly a light aircraft! Take the controls or just see the local area from the air. Our instructors will brief you before the flight and you will, if you wish, have control of the aircraft for most of the flight (take-off and landing excluded!) If you enjoy the flight, our instructors will be happy to talk to you about further training, but with no obligation on your part. If you do decide to train for a PPL, your trial lesson will count towards your training.

THE JAR PPL

The JAR PPL involves a minimum of 45 hours flight training but the amount of time taken to complete the course varies from person to person depending not only on ability but also on other factors including weather and how much free time and money you have. The flight training starts with general handling: flying at a constant height and speed, climbs, descents and turns. This will be dual training with an instructor and usually takes 5 to 10 hours to complete. You will then progress to flying circuits when you will learn to take-off and land. You will also practise recovery from the stall. Once you have mastered landing, you will be sent for your first solo flight. This is usually after 15 to 20 hours of training. Before going solo, you must obtain a medical certificate from a CAA approved doctor.

After the triumph of your first solo flight, it’s back to more dual instruction. You will be taught more advanced handling skills, how to deal with emergencies such as engine failure and basic navigation skills. During this period, your dual training will be interspersed with solo flights, initially in the local area and eventually further afield culminating in a cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles with 2 away landings (your “Qualifying Cross Country” flight).

Before the skill test, you must pass written exams (all multiple choice) in -
air law;
meteorology;
navigation;
aeroplane general and principles of flight;
performance and planning;
human performance and limitations;
radiotelephony;

and an oral exam in radiotelephony.

The skills test can be taken in two parts but is normally taken in one go and lasts about 2 hours. On passing the skills test you will be issued with a JAR Private Pilots Licence and a Single Engine Piston Class Rating (SEP Rating). The JAR PPL is valid for up to 5 years but the SEP Rating is valid only for 2 years. It can be re-validated either -
by undertaking a licence proficiency check with an examiner during the 3 months before the SEP rating expires; or
if you have flown at least 12 hours including at least 6 hours as pilot in command in the 12 months before the SEP rating expires, by completing a one hour instructional flight with an instructor.

If you are taking passengers with you, you must also have made 3 take-offs and landings in the last 90 days.

QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL

Current QSPs with previous SEP landplane experience need only pass the exams in air law, human performance and limitation and radiotelephony (written and oral) in order to obtain a JAR PPL. Bulldog, Chipmunk, Slingsby T67 Firefly and Grob 115 Tutor aircraft are all classed as SEP for these purposes.

QSPs who are not current but have been in the last 5 years must pass the skills test in addition to passing the exams in air law, human performance and limitation and radiotelephony (written and oral).

QSPs who have only jet experience must complete a minimum of 15 hours flight training in piston engined aircraft (of which 10 must be as pilot under training and 5 as pilot in command) in addition to passing the exams in air law, human performance and limitation and radiotelephony (written and oral).

THE NPPL

The NPPL allows you to fly only in the UK and only in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) during daylight hours. It does not entitle you to fly abroad nor is it possible to add a night or IMC rating to a NPPL.

The NPPL involves a minimum of 32 flight training which is broadly similar to that required for the JAR PPL. The written exams are the same as those for the JAR PPL. The medical requirements are, however, less stringent (the standard is that required for an HGV licence) and any GP can issue the necessary certificate.

THE NIGHT RATING

The Night Rating can be added to a JAR PPL to allow flight at night. Training can be commenced at any time after obtaining your JAR PPL and involves a minimum of 5 hours including -

3 hours dual night instruction, 1 hour of which must be in night navigation;
5 solo take-offs and landings at night.
The night rating does not need to be re-validated but if carrying passengers at night, at least one of your take-offs and landings in the last 90 days must have been at night.

THE IMC RATING

The IMC rating can be added to a JAR PPL and allows you to fly in instrument meteorological conditions outside controlled airspace but only in the UK. Before starting training for the IMC rating you must have completed 10 hours flying as pilot in command since obtaining your JAR PPL and at least 5 of those hours must have been on cross-country flights. The flight training involves a minimum of 15 hours dual instruction. Ground school instruction will also be required for the written exam.

The IMC rating is valid for 25 months and can be re-validated by completing a flight test.

We always take great care to help our pupils through every stage of the PPL course and our training will ensure you are very capable of passing each exam before you take it. If you would like a detailed explanation of the PPL requirements and costs, please contact us .