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In order to hold the SPL you must be medically fit and at least 16 years of age and be able to speak, read and write English. However, dual flight training may be commenced at any age where the student is physically and mentally capable of handling the aircraft.

Before you commence your flying training, it is advisable to take a medical examination, which must be conducted with an approved Designated Medical Examiner. Your flying school holds a list of Doctors approved for this purpose or you may obtain a list of Doctors from the CASA web site: www.casa.gov.au

After having completed your medical, you must then apply to the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) of your chosen school, for a Student Pilot’s Licence (SPL). If English is not your first language the CFI will assess your English language capability before issuing the SPL. The SPL then enables you to undertake all the necessary training, as detailed below, for the issue of your Private Pilot’s Licence.

If you are uncertain as to whether you will be suited to flying training but wish to have a go, you may undertake dual instruction without a Student Licence. However, you must have passed the medical and been issued a SPL prior to undertaking solo flight.

The PPL is divided into two distinct sections, the first section covers training to the standard required to pass the General Flying Progress Test (GFPT). On satisfactory completion of the requirements to pass the GFPT you will be granted passenger carrying privileges and be able to fly as Pilot in Command within a limited area (normally the school’s training area).

Before you may apply for a GFPT there is a requirement to study for a simple theory exam in basic aeronautical knowledge (BAK). The study for the BAK is straightforward and usually conducted concurrently with the flight training. It can be accomplished by either home study or class tuition.

Most students choose to study at home and at their own pace as this gives the greatest flexibility and is the least expensive option. Personal tuition is also possible with your instructor.

Assessment practices are flexible and so long as they meet the requirements of CASA, student needs are taken into account at all times .

The flight training is divided into Dual (time with your instructor) and Solo, which is time spent practising sequences on your own. The dual requirement is a minimum of 15 hours flight time and the solo is 5 hours flight time. Therefore, the minimum flight training required is 20 hours. However, these hours are based on minimum requirements, realistically the time taken differs for each individual student.

On completion of the initial training and having reached a satisfactory standard, you must then undergo a check flight, which is normally done by the Chief Flying Instructor of your school. The check flight will also include a simple questionnaire on the use of the aircraft radio in order that you may be issued a Flight Radio Telephone Operator’s Licence.

A complete and detailed syllabus of training is available from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) web site: www.casa.gov.au

The next step to obtaining your PPL is navigation training.

Having learned to handle the aircraft during your training for the GFPT you may now move on to the navigation training section for the issue of the PPL. Once training is complete, you are entitled to act as Pilot in Command (PIC) on flights anywhere in Australia other than Restricted or Prohibited areas.

The training consists of navigation or cross-country exercises which vary in duration from two to five hours per sortie.

As with the training to the GFPT standard, navigation training is divided into Dual and Solo sessions. Dual and solo training required will vary from school to school but typically totals a minimum of 15 hours dual and 5 hours solo.

In addition to the flight requirements you must also pass a simple CASA exam encompassing the following subjects:

a) Meteorology
b) Navigation
c) Flight Rules and Procedures
d) Aircraft Performance and Operation
e) Human factors

Like the BAK these subjects may also be studied at home or with a class. Your instructor is also qualified to give personal tuition. The exam may be attempted at any time. No specific sitting dates apply.

After your satisfactory completion of the Nav training requirements there is another straightforward flight check to examine your navigational skills. This normally takes about 2.5 hours and is conducted by the Chief Flying Instructor.

After completion of the above requirements you will qualify for the issue of the CASA issued Private Pilots Licence.

Summary

To obtain a Student Licence:

a) Be at least 16 years of age (there is no upper age limit)
b) Have a medical examination with an approved Doctor
c) Be competent in the English language
d) Apply for a Student Licence through your flying school.

To gain passenger carrying privileges:

a) Hold a valid Student Licence
b) Do a minimum of 15 hours dual and 5 hours solo
c) Pass the BAK exam
d) Pass a flight test with the CFI

To obtain a PPL

a) Hold a pass in the GFPT (Optional)
b) Pass the CASA examination in Met., Nav., and Flight Rules
c) Complete a course of navigation training
d) Pass a flight test with the CFI

On completion of the above requirements (particularly if you intend to achieve a Commercial Licence) the next phase of your training may be the Night Visual Flight Rules rating. The Night VFR, or NVFR for short, enables you to act as PIC at night in visual conditions. See the information sheet on NVFR for more details.

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The Commercial Pilot’s Licence is a professional qualification, which enables you to be employed as a Pilot and fly for hire and reward. Some people, however, obtain a Commercial Licence simply for the satisfaction of the achievement and to improve their flying skills.

Prior to the commencement of your commercial training you should normally hold a valid Private Pilot’s Licence (this is not essential if you undertake an integrated course).

Before you commence a course of training for the Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL), you should undertake the required commercial standard medical. Your flying school will have a list of the approved Doctors.

The following theory must be studied and is examinable by a series of individual papers. The exams are set and conducted by CASA. Exams are available on demand at approved examination centres.

Examinable theory subjects that are covered:

• Aerodynamics;
• Operations, performance and flight planning;
• Aircraft General Knowledge;
• Navigation;
• Meteorology;
• Flight rules and Air Law; and
• Human Factors

As with the Private Licence, the theory side of the training may be studied at home, at your own pace, or with a theory instructor. There are full-time theory courses available, which run for approximately ten weeks and cover all necessary subjects. Alternatively, combination of home study and short sessions with a theory instructor may be a viable option. If you choose the integrated course option the theory will be combined with your flight training.

After completing your training and having been issued with Private Pilot’s Licence, there are several optional training courses you may choose to undertake.

The NVFR is perhaps, initially, the most useful of all the options as it enables you to fly after last light, which means your outings and trips need not be constrained to daylight hours only. In addition to the added versatility the rating gives you, your skill levels as a pilot will be greatly enhanced by improved understanding of more sophisticated navigational techniques.

Training requirements:

Before you may hold a NVFR rating, it is necessary to hold a valid Private or higher category Pilot Licence.

A significant part of the skill development is devoted to instrument flying. That is, your ability to handle the aircraft solely by reference to your flight instruments. In order that you may become competent in this aspect we recommend five hours of instrument flight time to improve your skills. This time may be accumulated in an approved synthetic trainer or flight simulator, which significantly reduces the cost. After completing this phase you will be ready to commence the actual night flying.

The requirement is 10 hours of night flying, which is with a qualified instructor. The 10 hours are broken down into 5 hours of night cross-country conducted in two separate exercises of two and three hours each and 3 hours of night circuits and 2 hours of navigation aid practice.

Once you have reached the minimum hours and have achieved a satisfactory performance standard, another straightforward check flight with your CFI will see you rated for flight at night in visual conditions.

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Our in house ATO is independently approved by CASA to issue all fixed wing Licenses and most Ratings.

Once having obtained a Commercial Pilot’s Licence there are many steps that can be taken to further your career. These include:

• Single Engine Visual Flight Rules (VFR) charter
• Multi Engine Visual Flight Rules (VFR) charter
• Agricultural Pilot (involving an Agricultural Rating)
• Flying Instructor (involving an Instructor Rating)
• Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) charter (involving an Instrument Rating)
• Commercial Helicopter Pilot (there is a specific Helicopter Licence)
• Aerial work, such as aerial photography, fish spotting, Coastal surveillance, aerial ambulance, fire spotting
• Company Pilot
• Commuter Pilot
• Airline Pilot

Pearson Aviation runs ½ day courses on demand* for the issue of Flight Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency.

Our CFI is approved by CASA to asses applicants for English Language to ICAO level 6.

Pearson Aviation prides itself on it ability to meet the needs of individuals. Our ground theory classes are kept small in an effort to give intensive attention to each student.