Whatever your reason, becoming a Pilot always begins with the Private Pilot Licence.

Your first step is the Initial Flying Training Course culminating in the General Flying Progress Test (GFPT).

This enables you to fly and carry passengers in the training area, and to obtain endorsements to fly other aircraft types.

Additional flying training and theory, including navigation training, are required to complete the Private Pilot Licence (PPL) so that you can fly anywhere in Australia. For this stage, you also need to pass the PPL Theory Examination.

A good first “toe in the water” (or finger in the wind) is to get your hands on the controls yourself with a Trial Instructional Flight, or “TIF”. It’s not a “joy flight”, but a real training flight. The TIF is your chance to actually fly the aeroplane and feel what the real thing is like.

If you choose to continue your flying training your TIF is officially logged as your first flight in your log book and counts towards the training hours for your PPL.

Here are the steps towards achieving your Private Pilot Licence:

Medical
You’ll see an approved Aviation Medical Examiner and pass through a series of tests including medical and eye-sight checks. (If you’re planning a career as a pilot you’ll want to pass the Commercial Pilot medical before you start.)

Student Pilot Licence
Once you begin your training, we’ll arrange your Student Pilot Licence and ASIC Card.

Air Work
You’ll fly dual for the first few hours, learning the basics. You’ll spend time in the Training Area and quite a bit of time in the “Circuit” practising your landings and your cabin drills.

First Solo
When you’re proficient at your Circuit work you’ll go solo.
One take-off and landing completes the first solo.

You’ll alternate between dual and solo training for the next few training hours. You’ll practice steep turns, forced landings, precautionary landings and flying on instruments.

Theory
You’ll sit the Basic Aeronatical Knowledge test and you’ll be ready to take your General Flying Progress Test and get your licence.

Navexes (Navigation Exercises)
After that there’s Navigation exercises when you’ll fly outside the training area, initially dual and then solo. When you’re ready, you’ll take the test and you’ll be a fully-qualified Private Pilot.

  • Qualification: PPL(A)
  • Duration: 3-6 months
  • Aircraft: Piper Warrior
  • Min hours: 40
  • Theory Req: BAK / PPL
  • Commitment: full / part time
  • Payment Terms: as you fly
  • Overseas Places: available