Private Pilots Licence (PPL)

The PPL is the Private Pilots Licence.

Yes, virtually anybody. We take students from 14 years old onwards although most start to learn as adults and we have many students who have retired from work.
There is a medical examination to pass but, unless you have a condition that gives concern in other aspects of life, it is a useful check-up rather than an in-depth examination. Spectacles or contact lens wearers need not worry.

This is a big question and we all have different reasons to learn to fly. For some it is simply a means of travelling to places quickly whilst for many it is the fulfilment of a long held dream. Many love the thrill of aerobatics but for others the peaceful beauty of the sky and the land is enough. We have students who thrill to the challenge of mastering a new skill, practical minded students who see themselves involved with aircraft kit building, students who have a historical perspective and a desire to fly more interesting types in due course. There are those who want a career in aviation, the PPL is the first step towards a professional licence but most of us really don’t know why, we just want to fly.

You could fly with family or friends and with destinations such as Swansea, Jersey and the Isles of Scilly at only about 1 hours flight time, the world is a much smaller place. The adventurous have flown around the world, although most of us find that the UK, Eire and Europe are quite sufficient. Flying locally includes the coastlines of Devon and Cornwall and landscapes such as Bodmin Moor, Exmoor and Dartmoor.
With a PPL you can hire school aircraft or become involved in syndicate ownership. You can hire and fly aircraft worldwide; the USA is a very popular flying holiday destination. Then there are aerobatics, formation flying, crop circle spotting as well as a host of post PPL ratings and qualifications.
The school has organised fly-ins and fly-outs and our membership has many pilots/students to share activities, flights and experiences with.

You cannot accept payment for carrying passengers or freight and you cannot receive payment for providing a flying service such as piloting a photographic survey flight. No commercial activities are allowed.

The major elements are;
  - Medical
  - Passes in 7 exams all administered and examined at the School
    - Air Law & operations Procedures
    - Human Performance
    - Navigation & Radio Aids
    - Meteorology
    - Aircraft General & Principles of Flight
    - Flight Performance & Planning
    - Communications (Radio, theory & practical)
  - A minimum of 45hrs flight training including 10 hrs solo
  - Skills Test Flight with an examiner

It can be hard but it is mostly challenging. It should also be fun.

None, you do not need any background in academic or physical achievement of any type. You only need to want to learn to fly.

A lesson once a week would be ideal but the PPL can be completed in just a couple of months with more frequent lessons. Most students will take at least 18 months to complete the course, work, family, weather and finances have to be considered.
Lessons are booked at times and frequencies to suit you.

Yes, apart form the medical, which we can arrange to be done locally.

No, surprisingly learning to fly is cheaper than many of the more usual activities such as skiing, caravanning, boating and equestrian sports. Even golf can be more expensive. You can pay as you fly and plan the training to fit your available funds.

Contact us, we would be happy to go into more detail or book a Trial Lesson Flight and see if you want to learn to fly.