The club offers training for the UK private pilot licences issued by the UK CAA.  There are two main licences, the PPL and the LAPL.  In addition, the club offers training for SEP rating renewals, EFT to PPL conversions, IR(R) and Night Rating.

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Private Pilot's Licence - PPL

The Private Pilot’s Licence is recognised worldwide and can be used to fly light aircraft you hire, or own, for which you hold the appropriate rating.  Once issued the PPL does not expire, but the ratings must be revalidated on a regular basis.  The initial licence is issued with a Single Engine Piston (SEP) rating, which allows the pilot to fly any aircraft powered by a single piston-powered engine.

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To gain a PPL you must:

• Have at least 45 hours training, of which 10 hours must be solo and 5 hours must be cross-country.

• Complete a cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles, landing away at two other airfields.

• Obtain a class 2 medical certificate.

• Pass 9 multiple-choice exams with a minimum 75%.

• Pass a practical radiotelephony (RT) operators exam.

• Pass a flight skills test with an examiner.

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Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence - LAPL

The concept behind the LAPL was to create a simplified licence with a shorter training course and less onerous medical standards. It is limited to a maximum aeroplane take-off weight of two tonnes (2,000kg) and no more than three passengers. (Passengers may only be carried once the LAPL holder has at least 10 hours' solo time post licence issue). With some extra training the LAPL can be upgraded to the PPL.

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To gain a LAPL you must:

• Have at least 30 hours training, of which at least 6 must be solo and 3 hours must be cross-country.

• Complete a cross-country flight of at least 80 nautical miles, landing away at one other airfield.

• Obtain a LAPL medical certificate.

• Pass 9 multiple-choice exams with a minimum 75%.

• Pass a practical radiotelephony (RT) operators exam.

• Pass a flight skills test with an examiner.

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SEP Rating Renewal

Pilots who have held a PPL with SEP rating, even if it was some years ago, can undertake SEP refresher training prior to a renewal test flight with one of our Examiners. 

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EFT to PPL conversion

Military pilots who have completed Elementary Flight Training are not issued with a civilian licence. 

A short conversion course allows exemption from the normal 45 hour minimum training requirement.

See UK CAA CAP2254 for the full legal details.

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This typically involves:

• At least three hours of flight training

  Complete a cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles, landing away at two other airfields.

  Further solo time required to reach 10 hours of which at least 5 hours cross country

• Obtain a class 2 medical certificate.

• Pass 9 multiple-choice exams with a minimum 75%.

• Pass a flight skills test with an examiner.

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Night Rating

The holder of a PPL or LAPL without a night rating is restricted to flying during daylight hours only - the time from 30 mins before sunrise to 30 mins after sunset.  With a night rating, this restriction is removed and the holder can fly at any time as long as weather conditions allow - see IR(R)/IMC below.

 

The course includes 5 hours of night flying.  This includes:

• Theory instruction

• 3 hours of dual instruction

• 1 hour of cross-country navigation

• 5 solo takeoffs and full-stop landings

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There is no flight test or written exam.

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Instrument Rating (Restricted) / IMC.

PPL holders are restricted to flying under VFR (visual flight rules) in VMC (visual meterological conditions) - i.e. the weather must be good enough to enable them to fly using visual references.  This typically means a minimum visibility of 5km and pilots must remain clear of cloud**.  In order to fly in less favourable weather conditions, PPL holders can obtain a Restricted Instrument Rating allowing them to fly under IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) in IMC (Instrument Meterological Conditions).  It is restricted because it is only valid in the UK.

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The course includes:

• 15 hours of dual flying instruction, including a minimum of 10 hours by sole reference to instruments

• Theory instruction

• Written exam

• Flight skills test with an examiner

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**The VFR minima vary depending on the class of airspace involved, and the regulations affecting the UK (and Class D airspace within Brize Zone) are currently being clarified.

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