Private Pilot’s Licence PPL
Pilot Training from Go Fly Pilot Training School
As an Approved Training Organisation, we offer a wide variety of Part-FCL training courses. We currently offer PPL (Private Pilot’s Licence) and LAPL (Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence)
What is the PPL?
PPL stands for ‘Private Pilot’s Licence’ and is effectively the aviation equivalent of a drivers licence, in that it entitles you to pilot an aircraft privately and with non-commercial passengers. Unlike a driving licence you have to pass a medical examination, and you have to keep your rating current to maintain it (by flying a specified number of hours a year).
A PPL is more akin to a foundation for pilot training which you can then build experience and add additional flying privileges, whether you want to add IMC ratings (to enable you to fly in more difficult weather conditions) or even nights in due course.
Product details and key information
How much will it cost me?
The PPL packages start from £9,270. The PPL includes the minimum required 45 hours of flying time. Alternatively, we offer PPL & LAPL training from just £206 (Pilot club members) and £257.50 (non members) per hour, allowing you to finish the course in as much time as you wish.
Despite the requirement for 45hrs tuition for the PPL, the national average is between 55 and 60 hours, and most student pilots finish comfortably in this range. However 45 hours is more than possible provided you can maintain continuity without large breaks in learning, but you’ll find that flying is a relatively large commitment and most people just simply enjoy being up in the air so an extra 5 hours of tuition is simply 5 hours they would fly in any case!
As far as budgeting is concerned, 55 hours is a sensible commitment if you’re flying for pleasure or 45 if you can commit to flying full time. In addition, you should budget approximately £250 for books and equipment costs.
How long will it take to pass?
Currently there is no time limit as to how long the PPL course will take to complete. The syllabus requires a minimum of 45 flight hours though the average PPL student completes a course in around 60 hours. Subsequently due to various factors including weather conditions and student’s availability, the course can be completed in as little as two months or in excess of two years.
What’s the Course Format?
The basic course is split in to 9 theoretical sections, and three main phases of practical flying training. The theoretical aspect is examined with multiple choice exams in Meteorology, Navigation, Communications, Flight Performance & Planning, Human Factors, Air Law, Operational Procedures, Aircraft General Knowledge and Principles of Flight. These sound intimidating, but don’t require any prior knowledge of aviation, although an enthusiasm to learn is helpful! Generally, students don’t have too many problems with the theoretical aspect of the course and our instructors are always available to give advice. Ground school is provided, and all exams are taken on site.
Aside from the formal theoretical aspect, the practical side of training is always accompanied with ground briefings. Your instructor will fully brief you before every flight and aim to answer any questions you might have. We’re conscious that people are often very different when it comes to their individual learning styles and we try to accommodate as many of these as possible. What you’re really getting is fully personalised, one-to-one flying tuition to ensure that flying remains fun at all times!
The practical side of the course progresses from general handling to circuits and finally navigation. The first includes learning about the controls and the effects they have on the aircraft and the second learning to perform take-offs and landings and fly into airports and aerodromes. The final element covers all the practical aspects of navigation and builds up to the exam which you take to complete your private pilot’s licence.
If you would like to know more, our team will happily talk you through all that is involved.
Contact us for more information.