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more information and prices see also the Patriot
Aviation web site. Use your browser's back button to return to us, or
follow the SFS web link on the Patriot Aviation home page. |
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Flight
Training
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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 approved syllabus.
Patriot Aviation instruct in Robinson R22 and R44 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, in
general most students will take from 9 months to a year to complete their
training with little or no difference to their existing routine. It is recommended that the student plans to fly at least once a fortnight, and
ideally once a week.
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Ground
Examinations
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These
consist of seven written papers, covering the subjects of Air Law, Human
Performance, Navigation & Radio Aids, Meteorology, Rotorcraft 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 SFS 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 there are resident examiners on staff.
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Flight
Tests
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There
is a solo cross country flight of at least 100 nautical miles stopping at
2 airports and a final flight test covering general handling and
navigation skills. |
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Other
Requirements
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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.
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Medical
Certificate
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Before
being allowed to fly solo the pilot must have a current medical
certificate, and there is 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 it is recommended you seek it soon after starting your training. |
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Having
Gained your Licence
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In
order to keep your private pilots licence valid you must fly a
minimum of 2 hours per year and complete a proficiency check, and be in
possession of a valid medical certificate. Your licence entitles you to
fly the type of helicopter you trained in, with passengers, in visual
flight conditions, practically wherever you wish. A conversion course of
at least five hours, followed by another flight test, is required to
validate your licence for other types of helicopter. |
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How
Do I Start?
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Patriot
Aviation 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. |
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