Think flying is a pastime only for the elite and famous?
Think again. Over 60,000 people in Australia know how to fly and they come from all walks of life.
People learn to fly for a multitude of reasons, including:
- A desire to learn a new skill and have fun
- To see new places and go on unique adventures, and
- To pursue a career as a professional pilot.
For others it is a necessity when living or working in remote locations, such as rural or outback properties.
Like many pastimes and career training choices, flying does require both a time and financial commitment, along with enthusiasm and effort. The great thing is, flying provides such an enormous amount of enjoyment, if you’re like many others where the passion is there, it will be worth it.
Not only that, learning to fly can be a gateway to a unique and fascinating community, and a lifetime of extraordinary experiences.
How to become a pilot in Australia
When you’re talking about general aviation, there are three main levels of pilot Licence. These are:
- Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL)
- Private Pilot Licence (PPL), and
- Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).
Roughly speaking, the Recreational Pilot Licence allows you to fly within a restricted area with a defined maximum take off weight (in otherwords, aircraft limitations). It’s the ideal option for those flying just for the fun of it.
The Private Pilot Licence is where you take your flying skills to the next level. It allows you to fly to just about anywhere in Australia during visual daylight flying conditions, and you can also attain a wide variety of additional aircraft endorsements and advanced flying ratings, including instrument ratings and aerobatics so you have a lot more flying freedom available to you.
The Commercial Pilot Licence allows you to be a pilot-in-command or a co-pilot in commercial operations under certain conditions and restrictions.
More details about Licences can also be found by visiting the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) website.
Flying school fees in Australia for Recreational and Private Pilot Licences
You will notice what different flying schools offer can vary. Here at Curtis Aviation, for instance, people training for their first Licence, the Recreational Pilot Licence, have the option to fly and pay as they go or take advantage of a package.
The minimum flying required for a Recreational Pilot Licence is 20 hours with an instructor and 5 hours solo flying. The reality is very few ever achieve the required level of skill in that time. At Curtis Aviation, we find that people take an average of 33 hours, but this can vary from person to person. Based on these hours and our current rates, you’re looking at a budget of around $12500, plus around $1500 for additional costs relating to getting your Licence, study materials and medical.
If you can fly weekly, and weather is on your side, you could potentially get your RPL well within 6 months. If learning to fly full time, it could be as quick as 4 to 6 weeks. When compared to a four-week adventure holiday, it’s incredible value and you’ll be getting a qualification that will provide a whole lot of enjoyment and benefits well into the future.
To achieve your Licence in the shortest possible time, and in the least number of lessons, most flying schools will agree that you need to fly as frequently as possible. Other factors influencing the amount of time it takes to get a Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL), and the cost, are:
- Individual skill level, and
- The quality of training.
At Curtis Aviation, for example, we’re not only committed to helping you progress as quickly as possible through the training, we’ve got a team of instructors dedicated to helping you become a skilled, confident and safe pilot.
If you would like to learn to fly to Private Pilot Licence level, you can expect it will take about 56 flying hours (which also includes the Recreational Pilot Licence). If you complete the training in that time, the budget you would need to allow will be around $22-24k. Again, allow about $1,500 for additional costs and $500 for an optional Private Pilot Licence classroom course. Like the RPL, you can pay on a per lesson basis or take advantage of a package.
Once you have your recreational or private pilot Licence and have undertaken the appropriate renewals and checks, you can hire aircraft from as little as $225.50 per hour.* For a quality flying school in Sydney: Visit Curtis Aviation, Camden Airport
Training for a Commercial Pilot Licence
If you are thinking of pursuing flying as a career, there are a variety of commercial pilot training pathways for you so it is extremely important to let your chosen flying school know BEFORE you get started so they can discuss your flying career goals and guide you on the choices available, including aviation degrees.
At Curtis Aviation, Camden Airport (Sydney), for instance, we offer THREE commercial pilot training pathways, including a university pathway through Central Queensland University (CQU) where you can complete your Degree in Aviation online and undertake the flying training with us here in Camden Airport, Sydney. It also allows you to explore university fee help options.
Is flying for you?
Above all, the most important consideration when it comes to making the decision about learning to fly is whether flying is for you. At Curtis Aviation, we highly recommend having a trial instructional flight. It’s the ideal opportunity to try flying for the first time and chat with an instructor one on one about your flying ambitions.
To find out more about getting your Recreational or Private Pilot Licences, or how to become a Commercial Pilot, be sure to check out our latest information webinars, open day and flying training events by visiting our home page or get in touch today to chat with one of our friendly team members.
* Please note: Hours and details stated are provided as a guide only and can vary individually. Prices based on current rates at time of initial publication and are subject to change at any time. Contact Curtis Aviation to request latest rates and information.
