Flight Training

 A minimum of 45 hours flying experience as a pilot is required, of which at least 10 hours will be solo. All these hours will be flown under the direction of a Qualified Flying Instructor and in accordance with the laid down Civil Aviation Authority JAR-FCL approved syllabus.

We instruct in Cessna 152 and 172 aircraft which make ideal machines to learn good basic skills which will serve you well whatever type of aircraft you subsequently fly. Lessons comprise a pre-flight briefing followed typically by up to an hour of flight, although flight times will vary and longer flights are introduced during navigation training.

Whilst it is possible to gain your licence over a shorter period, we find that most students will take from 9 months to a year to complete their training with little or no difference to their existing routine. We do recommend that the student plans to fly at least once a fortnight, and ideally once a week.

Ground Examinations

 These consist of seven written papers, covering the subjects of Air Law, Human Performance, Navigation & Radio Aids, Meteorology, Aircraft General, Flight Performance & Planning, and Radio Telephony, all consisting of comparatively simple multi-choice questions, an oral test on the aircraft you use to train on, and a Radio Telephony practical exam.

You can study for these exams at home using course books available from our pilot shop, and we run weekly evening lectures during the winter months. Radio Telephony training is undertaken on an individual basis. The exams are taken at suitable points during the course of your flight training and we have resident examiners on staff.

Flight Tests

 The licence is earned by passing a skills test of around 2 hours flight time which tests your ability in both navigation and general aircraft handling. A solo cross country flight is also required.

Other Requirements

 You must be at least 14 years of age for flying experience to count towards a licence, and at least 16 years of age before you will be allowed to go solo. There is no maximum age.

Medical Certificate

 Before being allowed to fly solo the pilot must have a current medical certificate, and we have a list of local medical examiners who are authorised to issue these. The medical standard requires little more than normal health and conditions, although normal hearing is a necessity. Colour blindness will bar you from flying at night but not necessarily by day, the deciding authority being the Civil Aviation Authority Medical Branch. You do not have to have the medical certificate to start your flying but we do recommend you seek it soon after starting your training.

Having Gained your Licence

 In order to keep your private pilots licence valid you will need to have a certificate of experience signed every 24 months, gained by flying at least 12 hours over the preceding 12 months (6 of which as Pilot In Command) with at least 12 take offs and landings. You must also have completed a flight of at least one hour with an instructor on board. You must also be in possession of a valid medical certificate. You do not need to own your own aircraft and we have a selection of 2 and 4 seat aircraft available for hire to PPL holders, whether for personal pleasure, business, or touring. We also offer further training for additional ratings.

How Do I Start?

 We suggest your first lesson be a trial flight of half an hour, which is fully briefed, you do get to fly the aircraft yourself, and the lesson is logged as part of your training. If you have any queries please feel free to give us call.