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Flight Training
> Courses > Private Pilots Licence
Your Private Pilot Licence will be issued by the Civil Aviation Authority
and confers you with certain privileges. For your PPL to be issued
you must be over 17 years old and satisfy the CAA in three areas:
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You are required to have
a Class 2 medical |
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You must have a satisfactory level
of flying skills |
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You must have a satisfactory level
of knowledge |
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Fitness
Before flying solo for the first time, you must pass a medical examination
by a CAA approved doctor. The examination is similar to one you may
be asked to undergo for life insurance purposes. Naturally eyesight
is important but wearing spectacles or contact lenses does not necessarily
prevent you from being a pilot. There is a list of CAA approved doctors
in the Contact
Us section.
Flying Skills
Just as the Department of Transport driving test will examine your
ability to drive a car so the CAA examiner will test your ability
to fly an aeroplane. In order for you to acquire the necessary skills
we provide you with a structured training course which leads you stage
by stage through a tried and tested syllabus.
Before each flight you will receive a thorough brief from your Flying
Instructor so that you are absolutely clear about what is to be achieved.
After each flight the equally thorough debrief will enable you to
gain maximum benefit from your time in the air - you can frequently
learn as much from your mistakes as you can from getting it right
first time!
How long will it take?
The CAA insists on 45 hours flight training as a minimum before you
are allowed to hold a PPL. The ability to acquire the necessary skills
varies from one person to another but most people can reach the necessary
level of proficiency with 45 to 60 hours of flight training. If you
can do your training full time over three or four weeks (weather permitting)
you will probably need less flying hours than if you spread your training
over a longer period. This is simply a statement of fact and in no
way intended to put off those people who cannot afford the time, or
money to be a full time student.
After about 15 to 20 hours or so you should be proficient enough to
fly solo - this is a great day for any pilot. Later in your training
you will undergo your licence skill test - another milestone in your
career as a pilot. The test examines Navigation - your ability to
fly without getting lost - and General Handling - your ability to
control an aeroplane safely and follow the appropriate flying procedures.
Ground Training
In addition to gaining new skills in controlling an aeroplane you
must also study for examinations. You must have the necessary level
of knowledge about your new environment. At appropriate stages you
will be required to pass written examinations.
We help you gain the necessary knowledge to pass your examinations
by providing thorough pre-flight briefings and post-flight de-briefing
and guided self-study using recommended textbooks.
Summary
We have outlined the requirements for you to gain your PPL. We will
make every possible effort to help you but we are sure you appreciate
that it will be ultimately your effort and self-discipline, which
results in the award of your PPL.
The amount of time you can devote to your training will determine
how quickly you gain your licence. A full-time student (i.e. 5 or
6 days a week) who requires only the minimum 45 hours flying could
(weather permitting) gain a licence within three or four weeks. If
you can give it two dedicated days each week and some studying in
between you could gain your licence within three or four months. If
you can only give your PPL training one day a week you could take
as long as nine or ten months.
How Much Will It Cost?
It will all depend on your ability. If you are capable of completing
the training in the minimum time (45 Hours) then it is going to be
cheaper than if you require extra hours. In practice the CAA average
is 55 hours. You should budget for between 50 and 55 hours for you
flight training, £6,000 to £6,600.
Then there is ground exams and equipment like headsets and books for
studying. Including your flight test fees and exam fees for the CAA
you should budget between £500 and £750.
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The PPL Course
Having enjoyed your first flight, checked you are medically fit and
can spare the time and money, your PPL course will progress as follows:
Stage 1
Consists of 5-10 hours in which we teach you to fly the aircraft straight
and Level, to Climb, Descend and Turn, together with the basic skills
to control the Speed and Rate of Climb and Descent. You will develop
the skills required to complete all the Pre-Flight Checks and will
probably be able to Taxi and even Take Off and make basic Radio Calls
with confidence. In addition you will learn to Look Out, perform safety
checks as you fly and to generally be at home in your new environment.
Stage 2
The Circuit, basically a rectangular pattern flown around the Airport,
consists of Take Off, Climb, Turn, Level Off, Turn, Level Flight,
Turn, Descent, Approach and Landing. As you can see this is the "fun
bit" and, believe it or not, after 15 to 20 hours you should
be able to fly the Circuit Solo. Before you go Solo you will have
covered all types of landings and demonstrated your competence to
deal with any emergency situation which you could encounter but almost
certainly will not.
Stage 3
After solo we consolidate what you have learned to date and introduce
you to Practice Forced Landings, which will enable you to glide to
a safe landing, should you lose engine power. This will prepare you
for more Solo work away from the circuit and enable us to progress
to Stage 4.
Stage 4
Is all about Cross-Country Navigation including Radio Navigation -
we will teach you to handle the workload of Flying, Navigating and
Communicating on the radio all at the same time. This stage is probably
the most interesting and leads to a Qualifying Cross-Country Flight.
Good Luck!
Stage 5
Consists of Basic Instrument Flying, which covers the skills you will
need to find your way out of cloud safely should you encounter it.
Stage 6
Is the preparation for your skill test with our resident Examiner.
Ground Study
In addition to the flying training you will have to take a number
of multi choice exams integrated with your flying training to qualify
you for your PPL. Study for these exams will comprise of a mix of
self-study, and ground briefings with your Flight Instructor. The
exams cover Air Law, Meteorology, Navigation, Principles of Flight
and Aircraft Performance and Radiotelephony.
The exams consist of multi-choice question papers, so long; detailed
answers are not required. The study for them will bring a lot of satisfaction
and add to your understanding of the flight training, the principles
of flight and aspects of aviation.
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Advanced PPL Flying
We're sure you will appreciate that the award of a basic PPL doesn't
make you 'Top Gun'! Initially your licence will permit you to fly
Visual Flight Rules (VFR) only. Your basic licence does not permit
you to fly at night or in bad weather or to pilot twin engine aeroplanes.
These skills come with time, experience and more training.
Up until now, it is generally accepted that on completion of a PPL
there has been a "void" whilst gaining all-important hours
for the next step in formal qualification; the Instrument Meteorological
Conditions (IMC) or Night Rating.
However, sometimes the newly-qualified or inexperienced VFR pilot
does not wish to go into IMC or night rating training straight away.
Instead they feel that they could become a more competent aviator
in the basics of aircraft handling in VFR first.
Usually this meant half an hour "in the circuit" or a quick
chat over a cup of coffee with an instructor who scribbled notes on
the back of his fag packet! Until now. At BFC our instructors can
enhance your knowledge and skills in any of the areas you cover in
PPL training. Just tell us what you want to cover and we'll do the
rest.
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Maintaining Your PPL
When your PPL is issued, you will also be issued with a rating. This
will initially allow you to fly light single engine aeroplanes and
is valid for two years. It is maintained either by taking a proficiency
check in the three months preceding expiry or by logging 12 hours
of flight time (including 6 hours Pilot in Command and a 1 hour training
flight with a Flying Instructor) in the 12 months preceding expiry.
Under this second option you must also carry out 12 take offs and
landings.
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Books and Equipment
You will need to buy various books and items of equipment. Please
ask at the operations desk for current prices.
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I'm Interested - What do I do Now?
We hope you have found the information contained on this page interesting.
It can appear quite confusing when you're just "starting out".
That is why we recommend that you visit us in person
to discuss your PPL further.
Bristol Flying Centre is open seven days a week from 07:30 to early
evening depending on season, weather, daylight and flying activity.
Please feel free to drop by and meet one of our PPL instructors. Give
us a ring beforehand to let us know when you're likely to be calling
by.
Alternatively, if you wish to book a trial lesson please give us a
ring to arrange a date, time and payment details and we will see you
then. |
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Further Information
For more information on this course and others, please fill in our
Course
Enquiry Form.
Alternatively, you can Contact
Us directly.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Prices
View our Hourly
Rates for aircraft, instructors, test fees and exams. |
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Other Flight Training Courses
Please select the course you're interested in:
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Please note that all prices are subject to the course being completed in the minimum hours. Extra hours are charged as per the Hourly Rates. Aircraft training (incl solo hire) is billed at airborne + 0.2. |
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| The Bristol Flying Centre DVD includes information about our Flight Training facilities, Engineering Department and FBO Services. If you are interested in obtaining further details about the Centre then please use our Enquiry Form to request your FREE copy. |
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Newsletter |
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Flying Instructors |
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BFC occasionally have opportunities for suitably qualified flying instructors. If you would like to be considered for a position here please send your CV to:
Bristol Flying Centre,
Bristol International Airport,
Bristol,
North Somerset,
BS48 3DP
United Kingdom
Alternatively you can email us at:
HOT2@b-f-c.co.uk |
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