Private Pilots Licence (PPL)
There are two licences available for the Private Pilot. The JAR/PPL licence is recognised by over 30 mostly European states and is valid for flying abroad and can have further ratings added to it. The NPPL (National Private Pilots Licence) is valid for daytime flying, generally in the UK only
G-JOYT a PA28 Archer, G-TAFC a Maule M7 235B Seaplane and G-OUNI SR20 Cirrus
JAR/PPL
To achieve a PPL you will have to complete at least 45 hours flying instruction of which 25 hours are dual and 10 hours are solo. This solo time includes at least 5 hours cross-country with one flight of 150nm during which you land at two other airfields. Finally you take a General Skill Test (GST). 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.
NPPL
To achieve a NPPL you will have to complete at least 32 hours flying instruction of which 22 hours are dual and 10 hours are solo. Finally you take a Navigation Flight Test and a General Flying Test (GFT). You cannot add a night qualification or an IMC rating to this, as flying and the medical are easier to achieve.
Ground school
There are 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/or one-to-one tuition carried out by our experienced ground tutor/examiner. The exams are taken at suitable points during the course of your flight training.
The exams apply to both the JAR/PPL and the NPPL
Radio Telephony Licence
Training and exam: Working in partnership with Unique Helicopters we can offer a training course using the latest CAA approved computer course. There are practice routes for you to do with an instructor and when you are up to standard you can take the exam here.
Flight test
To achieve both the JAR/PPL & NPPL a skills test of around 2 hours flight time, which tests your ability in both navigation and general aircraft handling.
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.
Before being allowed to fly solo the pilot must have a current medical certificate, and we have a list of local medical examiners that are authorised to issue these. The medical standard requires little more than normal health and conditions, although normal hearing is a necessity. Colour blindness may 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 especially if you have any medical concerns. The NPPL medical is less stringent than that of the JAR/PPL.
So how do I get started?
We suggest your first lesson be a trial flight of half an hour to an hour, which is fully briefed, and you have the opportunity to take control of 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.
What happens now I have achieved my 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 can also undertake further training.