PRIVATE PILOTS LICENCE

Whether you’re looking to learn to fly for your own pleasure and enjoyment, or you’re looking to take the first step onto the journey of becoming a fully qualified commercial pilot the Private Pilot Licence is where you need to start your pilot training journey.

Our Private Pilot Licence (PPL) Training Course is designed to meet all the requirements for you to sit your theory exams and practical skill test to become fully rated to fly Single Engine Piston aircraft. You will then be able to add further ratings to your license such as Night, IR (R) etc as you build your experience to becoming a more competent private pilot.
A front view of our AA5b Tiger Aircraft

Practical Training

Students will need to complete a minimum of 45 hours flying training which roughly breaks down as follows:

  • 25 hours dual instruction
  • 10 hours supervised solo flight time to include:
  • 5 hours solo cross country flight time to include one cross-country flight of at least 270km (150nm), during which full stop landings at two different aerodromes which must in turn be different from the aerodrome of departure.
  • A skill test with one of our in-house examiners

Ground School

You are also required to pass nine written examinations and a radiotelephony test. The nine multiple choice examinations to be passed are in the following subjects:

  • Air Law
  • Human Performance
  • Meteorology
  • Communications
  • Principles of Flight
  • Operational Procedures
  • Flight Performance and Planning
  • Aircraft General Knowledge
  • Navigation

Skills Test

The final item is the Skill Test, which can only be taken when all training has been completed. This is a flight of about 2 hours duration, during which you will be required to demonstrate competence in all manoeuvers covered in the syllabus. On successful completion of the Skill Test, you are able to apply for your Licence, which is a recognised qualification in many European Countries.

There is no time limit on the flying course, although it is beneficial to complete the training in a shorter rather than a longer timescale. Most people take around 12 months to complete, although under favourable circumstances it can be completed in a much shorter time scale.

Medical Requirements

You’ll need to pass a simple CAA medical which must be carried out by an approved medical practitioner.

An aeromedical examiner (AME) will be able to offer you individual advice and will also be qualified to issue you with a medical certificate following a medical examination. We can help put you in touch with an AME.

Age

There is currently no minimum age for dual instruction, but any received before the age of 14 is not countable towards the PPL. Whilst a student may fly as Pilot in Command from their 16th birthday and only in accordance with a qualified flying instructor, a student may not apply for a PPL licence issue until they are 17 years old. There is no upper age limit!!!