Pilot Training

Piper PA28-181

TheDream

Most people look up when a light aircraft passes overhead. Do you think of the freedom and spectacular views enjoyed by the pilots and passengers ?

If you can drive a car and read a map you possess the basic skills that will enable you to learn to fly.

It's easier than you think!

TheChallenge

Working towards your Private Pilots Licence is very rewarding, and you cannot beat the sense of achievement on successfully completing the course and gaining your 'wings'.

We have qualified instructors who take great pride in, and enjoy imparting their knowledge to student pilots. Throughout your training there are goals to achieve - milestones that mark your progress - your first take-off and landing without the instructor's hands hovering over the controls, or the 'once in a lifetime thrill' of your first solo flight.

Once you have mastered the basic handling of the aeroplane, cross-country navigation exercises give you the confidence and skills to navigate around the country with the speed and freedom that only flying can bring.

The Civil Aviation Authority require a minimum of 45 hours of flight training before a licence can be issued. This is divided between dual instruction and solo flights. There is a flight test to be undertaken and some multi-choice ground examinations to pass along the way.

TheRewards

In the UK there are over 200 airfields near major towns and cities. Hiring an aircraft from the club, many members use their licence for business, travelling to meetings around the country. There are Air Shows and Fly-ins throughout the summer months. Lunch in the French and Belgian coastal towns is very popular and there are the tax-free duty benefits of the Channel Islands. Most of these destinations are only a 1-2 hours flying away.

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The Private Pilots Licence

This information has been put together with the aim of answering some of the more common questions asked by people interested in learning to fly.

WHAT IS A PPL ?

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN OBTAINING THE LICENCE ?

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ?

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ?

WHAT NEXT ?

What is a PPL?

The Private Pilots Licence is a licence issued by the Aviation Licencing Authority, which allows the holder to fly a single engine aircraft without remuneration. What this really means is that you may fly most types of single engine aircraft for recreational purposes. You may in fact split the cost of hiring the aircraft with your passengers, but you must not personally receive any payment for such flying.

The PPL alone will allow you to fly by day only in good visibility and always in sight of the ground. There are several additional qualifications you may train for at a later stage, such as an IMC (Instrument conditions) rating, Night rating, Multi-engine rating, Instrument Rating, and Aerobatic certificate. You may also use the PPL as a starting point for a commercial aviation career.

Once you have obtained your PPL you have to keep it valid by flying a certain amount of hours, and every two years having a Check Flight with an Instructor. You must also always have a valid medical certificate, usually renewable every 5, 2, or 1 years, dependent upon age.

For those that have the means it is possible to buy a light aircraft. For most people hiring one of our Club aeroplane is a far more practical option, and you only pay for the time when the Aircraft is flying.

The freedom and satisfaction obtained when you qualify for your pilots licence is second to none, as any of our pilots will confirm. The capability then exists to hire an aircraft and fly with passengers to distant airfields e.g. Isle of Wight and Northern France and return in time for tea!

What is involved in obtaining the licence?

The minimum age to qualify for a PPL is seventeen years, although training may begin earlier if desired. There is no maximum age limit, although there is a requirement to pass a medical examination. The medical standards are not usually prohibitive unless you suffer from a serious illness or disability. The wearing of glasses or contact lenses is not a problem in itself, although colour blindness may restrict night flying.

If you are in any doubt as to your fitness to fly, you may be better off getting a medical before you begin training. Everybody must have passed the medical before their first solo flight and so it is good advice to get it done early. We have a list of CAA approved doctors for the U.K.

The flying training is carried out in accordance with a recognised syllabus, covering basic flying techniques, cross-country navigation, basic instrument flying and practice emergency procedures. The minimum number of hours required to apply for Licence issue is 45 hours in total (35 for NPPL), of which at least 25 must be dual flying with an instructor and at least 10 hours solo flying. There is a flight test to be taken at the end of your training. The Skills Test will examine your ability to navigate to handle the aircraft and comply with normal procedures. There are also seven straightforward multiple choice written exams to be taken at the appropriate stages throughout your training. These will cover: Aviation Law, Meteorology, Navigation, Airframes and Engines, Aircraft Performance, Radio Telephony and Human Factors Limitations. Textbooks are available from us on all of these subjects and our instructors will be happy to assist you with your studies.

How long will it take?

This depends on how much time you can devote to your training, more than your ability. This is certainly something you should consider in some detail, as it will have a bearing on the overall cost of your training. Some people may be able to devote themselves full time every day for a concentrated course for a few weeks. Others may have flexible working hours allowing them to fly two or three times a week, whilst others may be limited to weekend flying. We are open seven days a week, from 08:30 to sunset, enabling evening training in the summer months.

It can be seen that PPL training can take anything from a few weeks to more than a year. You should bear in mind that the written exams are only valid for certain periods once passed. As a result most people aim to finish PPL training within a year from the first exam pass, although the exams may be re-taken if required. Frequent flyers invariably learn faster than those who appear only on high days and holidays, and subsequently spend less on their training in the long run.

The 45 hours flying required by the Authority is an absolute minimum and most people should budget for a few more hours than this.

How much will it cost?

For most people this is the most important consideration of all. Unfortunately, as already explained, there are too many variables to give an absolute guarantee as to the cost of your training. It is important that you should try to keep your training as consistent as possible, aiming for at least one lesson per week. Obviously time and money may not allow this, but you should bear in mind that the more frequently you train the less time is spent revising previous exercises.

Two other costs, which are not controlled by the Club, are your medical fee, paid directly to the doctor, and the licence fee paid directly to the Aviation Authority.

Henlow Flying Club is unusual in as much as it is a civilian-flying club based at a military airfield. The club was started in 1991, although our instructors have been teaching people to fly for quite a while longer. We have a membership of over 120 students and pilots, with an active social calendar which includes non-flying events such as bowling, kart racing and not forgetting barbeques and other eating events, e.g. Christmas Party! We are a friendly Club with a professional attitude towards our flying. The airfield has a total of 4 large grass runways, which allow us to fly in almost all wind conditions. The local airspace is unrestricted, and the airfield has very few other aircraft movements, which makes Henlow an ideal centre for training.

What Next?

Now that we have got your attention, why not try it out for yourself. If you have not already done so, then why not book a trial lesson. We can offer a 1/2-hour flight, or a 1-hour flight as you wish, and if you would like to bring someone else along, this can be arranged in one of our four seater aircraft at a little extra cost. Your instructor will explain the basic principles of the flying controls, and once airborne you will have the opportunity to put the theory into practice. Our aim is to allow you to experience at first hand what flying is all about, and have a chance to meet our staff and possibly other members of the club.
If you have any further questions with regard to flying training, then please give us a ring, or better still pop in for a coffee and a chat.

As we are on a Military base we must follow the security procedures and require visitors to be booked in at the Station Guardroom. If you plan to visit the club, please telephone us beforehand so that we can inform the Guardroom staff. On arrival, you must present some form of identification, such as a driving licence, before you are issued with personal and car passes. When you join the club, you can apply for a 'Social Pass' which is valid for three years.

SPECIAL OFFER!

FULL J.A.R. P.P.L. COURSE FOR ONLY

£5920 inclusive of V.A.T. *

The Course includes:

- 45 Hours Syllabus Flight Training (C150/152) -

(C172 also available P.O.A.)

- All Ground Instruction -

- Flight Equipment Manuals And Books -

- Ground Exam Fees -

- Flight Test Fees -

- Radio Telephony Course and Test -

- All Home Landings -

We think this course offers students Value For Money and we try to include everything that you will need to complete your P.P.L. Training

* The course fee may be paid in instalments

PRICES VALID AT 01^st November 2007

SPECIAL OFFER!

FULL NATIONAL P.P.L. COURSE

In addition to the JAR PPL we also offer training towards the National PPL. This licence allows the holder to fly up to 3 passengers anywhere within the UK. The Medical Requirements are much less stringent with the medical being carried out by your GP. The minimum training time has been reduced to 32 hours (Full PPL is 45 hours).

OPTION ONE

£4695 inclusive of V.A.T. *

The Course includes:

- 35 Hours Syllabus Flight Training (Cessna150/152)-
(Includes up to 3 Hours for tests)