Interested in learning to fly?

Believe it or not, most people find it easier to fly than they first thought with thousands of Australians from all walks of life flying for fun, adventure, to reach far-away places and even business or career.

There is no minimum age to start your flying lessons and no minimum educational requirements, you just need a desire and persistence.

To help you understand what is involved, here are some of the common questions we’re asked about becoming a Private Pilot.

Who can get a flying license?

You need to be 15 years of age before you can do your first solo and 16 years of age to be a holder of a Recreational Pilot License, the first license you aim for.  To be a holder of the next, a Private Pilot License, you need to be 17.

You are also required to pass a medical exam.  (More on that below).

How does learning to fly work?

Many people will start off by booking a half-hour trial instructional flight which is a great opportunity to experience flying for the first time and discover if flying is for you.

You then start training for the Recreational Pilot License and for some pilots attaining this license is enough for their needs.  If you would like to expand your flying opportunities, you continue onto the Private Pilot License.

How flying training is run can vary between flying schools.  We, for example, offer flexible training options which means you can learn to fly when it suits you – every day, once a week, fortnightly or even monthly.   You can pay as you go or can take advantage of an inclusive package.  It’s completely up to you.

What is the difference between the Recreational and Private Pilot Licenses?

The Recreational Pilot License (RPL-A) allows you to fly single-engine aircraft as pilot-in-command, by day under visual conditions (VFR), in private operations within the training area with a maximum take off weight (MTOW) of 1500kg.  You can upskill with a navigation endorsement suited to this license.

The Private Pilot License (PPL-A) provides a lot more flying freedom by allowing you to fly solo anywhere in Australia in visual daylight flying conditions (VMC–Visual Meteorological Conditions) with passengers.  You also have the option to further your training so you can fly a wider range of aircraft and in more weather conditions, day or night, including multi-engine aeroplanes.

What is involved in flying lessons?

At each lesson your flying instructor will provide you with

• A half hour briefing
• A flying lesson of approximately an hour and
• Then a de-brief once back on the ground.

Theory is self-study and your instructor will explain concepts you may find difficult and help keep you on track.  To attain either the Recreational Pilot License or the Private Pilot License, theory and flight exams are involved.  Some schools can conduct your testing in-house, as is done at Curtis Aviation, which is great for helping you feel more relaxed.

Most importantly, flying should be fun so you want to make sure you are being trained by instructors committed to helping you have a great flying experience.

How many flying hours to get your license?

There are minimum flying hours set by the Civil Aviation Safely Authority (CASA).  For the Recreational Pilot License it is 25 hours flight time (20 hours dual and 5 hours solo), and for the Private Pilot License 40 hours.

The reality is that very few people will achieve their licenses in those minimum times, no matter what others may promise you.  The amount of flying training you need to get your licenses varies individually and largely depends on both your personal aptitude, how frequently you can fly and where you fly.

From our experience, most people will take between 25-45 hours to get their Recreational Pilot License, and for a Private Pilot License 40-60 hours (including the Recreational Pilot License).

At Curtis Aviation we will do our utmost to help you progress as quickly as possible, however your ability to fly safely will always be our top priority.

What are the regulatory requirements involved in learning to fly?

There are a number of regulatory requirements that need to be addressed.  Check if the flying school you choose will help step you through the process.

At Curtis Aviation, we guide our students through it all at the first lesson, making it so much simpler.

These requirements include:

• An Aviation Security Identity Card (ASIC)
• Aviation Reference Number (ARN)
• CASA Class 1 or 2 Medical Certificate (issued by an authorised medical examiner), and
• Identification verification with CASA.

Will a Private Pilot License help me to become a Commercial Pilot?

The great news is the Recreational Pilot License and Private Pilot License provide the first two steps towards attaining a Commercial Pilot License.

HOWEVER, if considering being a professional pilot, we strongly suggest making a time to chat with a senior instructor FIRST so you understand the various pathways available to you.  Depending on your goals, the way you go about it could make a big difference.  Here at Curtis Aviation we provide three pathways towards a Commercial Pilot License.

Are all flying schools the same?

No!

Curtis Aviation, for instance, does things quite differently to others.  We provide the highest of professional standards combined with a unique level of support so what you have is exceptional training in a friendly club-style atmosphere and the flexibility and freedom of an independent flying school.

Where you fly also makes a huge difference.   As a Camden-based aerodrome you have the added benefit of less stress and congestion of some other airports – which means more flying and less waiting!

You also should consider your flying goals.  Will the flying school you choose provide the training you need beyond your initial licenses and are they willing to help mentor you?

Next steps

At Curtis Aviation we love simple.

If you would like to book your first lesson or find out more about getting a Private Pilot License all you need to do is call our team on 02 4655 6789 or request an information pack.  We’re here to help.

Did you know….
As a Private Pilot License holder you can largely fly the same aircraft as commercial pilots, and even do aerobatics, given the right additional training, ratings and endorsements.