Flight Training – Private Pilots Licence
Private Pilots Licence
The Private Pilot Licence (PPL), entitles the holder to fly UK registered aeroplanes globally providing the holder has the correct ratings. However, as suggested in the title of the licence, it is a ‘Private’ licence and is purely for private flying only, not for commercial operations that lead to remuneration.
Training
The training requirements are a minimum of 45 hours of which 10 are solo. Please note these are MINIMUM requirements and if doing training part-time or your training is affected by the weather it can take a lot longer.
During training, a solo qualifying cross-country is flown. This consists of landing at two separate airfields and counts towards the 10 solo hours.
Minimum of 25 hours of dual instruction
Minimum of 10 hours (supervised) solo, including:
Minimum of 5 hours solo navigation including a solo qualifying cross-country flight, landing at two different airfields en-route.
Radio Telephony Practical
Exam
The student will be required to plan a navigation flight which is then ‘flown’ in the classroom, simulating the radio calls that would be required in real-time. Under these simulated conditions, the student will encounter and be expected to deal with scenarios such as the transition of controlled airspace, and the relay of a Mayday call.
Medical Examination
A Class 2 Medical is required before flying solo which can be obtained from a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorised aero-medical examiner. Most medicals are straightforward and anyone of average health should pass the medical without any difficulties.
Written Examinations
There are 9 written examinations to complete which are all multiple choice and require a 75% pass mark.
- Air Law
- Human Performance
- Meteorology
- Communications
- Operational Procedures
- Principles of Flight
- Flight Performance and Planning
- Aircraft General Knowledge
- Navigation
All the theoretical exams must be completed within an 18-month period (counted from the end of the calendar month when the applicant first attempted an examination). Once they have been completed within this period, the passes will be valid for 24 months for the purpose of license issue.
Applicants shall only take the examination when recommended by the ATO responsible for their training, once they have completed the appropriate elements of the training course of theoretical knowledge instruction to a satisfactory standard.
The recommendation by an ATO shall be valid for 12 months. If the applicant has failed to attempt at least one theoretical knowledge examination paper within this period of validity, the need for further training shall be determined by the ATO, based on the needs of the applicant.
If an applicant has failed to pass one of the examination papers within 4 attempts or 18 months counted from the end of the calendar month when the applicant first attempted an examination, he/she shall re-take the complete set of examination papers.
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