Private Pilots Licence

PPL Training – 45 Hour JAR-FCL course

PPL Training – 32 Hour UK NPPL course

IMC Training – 15 Hour UK Rating course

Night Qualification – 5 Hour JAR-FCL course

Joint Aviation Authority (JAR-FCL PPL)

This course consists of a minimum of 45 hours flight training of which 25 hours must be flown Dual (with a licensed instructor), 10 hours must be flown solo. At the end of which, there is a final test called a Licensing Skill Test (LST), which covers all aspects of training. In addition to the airborne training, there are 7 ground examinations and 1 Communications oral examination for the issue of a Radiotelephony Operators Licence (RTOL), in the following subjects: –

Aviation Law and Operational Procedures	As with any form of licensing, there are rules and regulations to comply with. This examination will be completed first and will also need to be completed prior to flying solo.
Aircraft General and Principles of Flight	This examination deals with the complexities of aircraft and understanding flight through a medium that changes state. Such topics as, the internal combustion engine, electrics and basic fluid mechanics.
Flight Performance and Planning	Understanding the performance of the aircraft within certain parameters is paramount to safety. Accurate and careful flight planning is a fundamental airmanship skill required of a pilot.
Navigation	Just like driving a car from A – B, knowing where to go and in what direction to go in, is a real plus!
Meteorology	This examination tests the knowledge of understanding basic weather theory, analysis and its application to flight planning.
Human Performance and Limitations	This examination looks at the physiological factors that affect a human body in flight. Pressure, temperature, hypoxia, stress, are all some of the things that could affect us as pilots. At the Air Centre we advise that this examination be completed second.
Communications Theory	One of two examinations on the Communications topic. This section includes such things as radio telephony theory, standard phraseology and also emergency procedures.
Communications Practical (RTOL)	This is a practical test with a Radiotelephony Examiner (RTF)

Although common misconceptions suggest that learning to fly is difficult, it’s actually within most people’s capability. There are no prerequisite qualifications and we understand that many people have been out of the studying environment for some time. Our instructors, who are all JAA qualified are able to offer ground instruction in the various subjects that are part of the training syllabus.

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National Private Pilots Licence (NPPL)

This new licence has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of the recreational flyer and is thus, somewhat easier to attain than the JAA PPL. As this is a UK only licence, you would not be able to fly outside UK airspace, nor would you be able to go on to train for additional licences or ratings, for example the IMC rating or Night Qualification. This licence is also restricted to a maximum of 3 passengers and a aircraft weight limitation not exceeding 2000kg.

A structured course of flying instruction over a minimum 32 hours, plus a Navigation Flight Test (NFT), a General Flight Test (GFT) and a series of ground examinations, will result in a less expensive route to a Pilot’s Licence than has been available for some years.

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UK Instrument Meteorological Conditions Rating (IMC)

After completing the JAA PPL course and meeting the course minimum requirements, there is an opportunity to progress onto the IMC rating course. The IMC rating is a structured course of flying over a minimum of 15 hours, 1 ground examination and a flight test. 2 hours can be awarded towards the grant of an IMC rating in our Elite Evolution S612 Basic Instrument Training Device (BITD).

The IMC rating is at the moment, a UK only privilege. It is designed to give a pilot the necessary skills to re-establish Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) or recover to an airfield without losing spatial awareness. Although it does not substitute a full Instrument Rating (IR), the IMC rating adds to the pilots ability to achieve a greater level of awareness and precision flying skills.

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Night Qualification

The JAR-FCL Night Qualification is a structured course of flying over a minimum 5 hours. There are no ground examinations or flight test associated with this course. The night qualification can be incorporated into the JAA PPL course.