| Learning to fly an airplane or helicopter can be one the | | | | Groundschool Subjects |
| most enjoyable and rewarding goals that a person can | | | | The groundschool or theory subjects are: |
| achieve in their adult life. The process from start to | | | | * Aircraft General Knowledge and Principles of Flight |
| finish is full of new discoveries and exciting challenges. | | | | * Aviation Law and Operational Procedures |
| 'Finish' is perhaps the wrong word since the learning | | | | * Flight Performance and Planning |
| never ends. Even if, having qualified, the new pilot | | | | * Human Performance and Limitations |
| decides not to pursue any other form of licensing or | | | | * Meteorology |
| certification there is always something new to learn | | | | * Navigation and Radio Aids |
| and the wise pilot should never be complacent or over | | | | * Radio Communications |
| confident. | | | | There are plenty of books and courses that provide all |
| Learning to fly requires diligence, patience, courage, | | | | the necessary information and exercises in order to |
| humility and a thirst for knowledge. As well as they | | | | become proficient in each of these subjects and to |
| practical aspects of handling the aircraft the student | | | | help you pass the exams. You should also receive |
| pilot must learn to navigate, interpret weather | | | | ground school tuition at your chosen flying club or flight |
| forecasts for local airfields, intended routes and | | | | training center. |
| destinations, plan flights taking into account passengers, | | | | Flight Training |
| baggage, and fuel, and ensure that they he/she is and | | | | The CAA flight training syllabus for the issue of a PPL |
| the aircraft are operating with the Law. | | | | totals a minimum of 45 hours logged consisting of the |
| If all this sounds like a steep climb then take heart. The | | | | following: |
| path to obtaining a set of wings has been walked | | | | 25 hours dual (with an instructor at your side) |
| many times before and there is plenty of helpful | | | | 10 hours solo (on your own!) |
| material along the way. All the aspiring student needs | | | | 5 hours solo cross-country flying |
| to do is follow the steps and tackle each segment of | | | | 5 additional hours flying either solo or dual |
| the journey in a dedicated and methodical manner. | | | | However, few people are ready for the final Skills |
| Overview | | | | Test with the minimum amount of time in their |
| To obtain a JAR-FCL PPL (Private Pilot's Licence) in | | | | logbooks. How many hours it takes for you to become |
| the UK the required steps are: | | | | proficient will depend on many things e.g. the frequency |
| 1. Obtain Class II medical certificate from a CAA (Civil | | | | of lessons, your ability to learn, your Flying Instructor's |
| Aviation Authority) licensed GP | | | | skills and abilities. When calculating the cost of your |
| 2. Begin studying the various ground school subjects | | | | course you should factor in and a total flying time of |
| 3. Complete the PPL practical syllabus at an aero club | | | | 60-80 hours to be sure that you don't run out of |
| or flying school | | | | money just before you complete the course. |
| 4. Pass the seven written ground school exams and | | | | Where do I begin? |
| one practical radiotelephony exam | | | | One way to get started is to book a trial lesson or |
| 5. Pass practical exam (the Skills Test) | | | | flight experience day. Find your nearest flying school |
| 6. Apply to the CAA for issue of a licence | | | | and give them a call. They'll be only too pleased to |
| Age Requirements | | | | welcome you in and show you around. If you've never |
| You can start your lessons at any age and there is no | | | | been in a light aircraft before then it will be a very |
| upper age limit as long as you still meet the medical | | | | revealing experience. Ask the instructor as many |
| requirements. However, only flight time logged at the | | | | questions as you like and don't be shy. Everyone was |
| age of fourteen or older can count towards your total | | | | a novice once and if he/she is a good instructor he |
| time logged, and a student has to be at least sixteen | | | | she will explain everything in a way that you can |
| years old to fly solo and at least seventeen in order to | | | | understand and absorb. |
| be eligible for a licence. | | | | A trial lesson might be enough to get you hooked on |
| Medical Requirements | | | | the idea of learning to fly or it might put you off for life! |
| For the full JAR-FCL PPL licence a student will need a | | | | If it's not what you expected but you feel sure that |
| valid CAA Class II Medical Certificate. This is valid for | | | | you still want to learn then book another trial in a |
| five years for students up to the age of forty. | | | | different type of aircraft and perhaps at another |
| Thereafter it has to be renewed every twelve | | | | airfield. If your first lesson was at a grass field try the |
| months. If you fail the Class II medical test you can still | | | | second on a hard runway or vice versa. If you were in |
| opt for a National Private Pilot's Licence. There are | | | | a high wing aircraft, try a low wing aircraft. |
| less stringent medical requirements for this and it | | | | If you've come this far the chances are that you will |
| allows many people to fly who might otherwise be | | | | continue so it's just a matter of finding the right school, |
| grounded. However, it has fewer privileges than the | | | | instructor, and aircraft for you. In Part II we'll go into |
| PPL and you cannot add additional ratings to this | | | | more detail about the process of learning to fly from |
| licence. | | | | your first lessons to obtaining your wings. |