Training for a Private Pilot's Licence

Requirements Needed to Fly an Airplane and Details of the PPL Course

Aug 27, 2008

It takes time, money and commitment to learn to fly an airplane. But it is not that difficult, and almost anyone can do it. A flying instructor explains how.

Many people would love to learn to fly light aircraft, but think it is not for them. They assume they are not clever enough, or too uncoordinated, or do not have enough money. But flying is within the reach of most ordinary people, if they really want to do it.

Who Can Learn to Fly?

The answer is…almost anyone. In most countries there is a lower age limit for gaining a Private Pilot’s Licence, usually 17. Similarly, a student pilot is not allowed to fly solo before a certain age, often 16. But one can start flying training at any age, however young.

At the other end of the scale, people in their 70s and 80s have successfully learned to fly. Although aviation tends to attract more men, women have always held pilot’s licenses, the first woman having gained hers almost 100 years ago.

One does not have to be tremendously intelligent to learn to fly; there are exams to be passed, but they are not all that difficult. Similarly, anyone who has good enough coordination to learn to drive a car could probably learn to fly a plane. And while flying is not cheap, it is possible to save the money and learn over a long period of time, and some organisations do offer flying scholarships and bursaries.

First Steps when Learning to Fly

The first thing is to make sure that one likes flying in small aircraft, by taking a trial lesson/air experience flight (called a demo flight in some countries). All flying schools offer these, and they give prospective students a chance to experience light aircraft flying before beginning a more structured course.

All student pilots will need to pass a medical examination before flying solo. It is not an absolute requirement to do this before beginning a flying course, but it is a good idea. No-one wants to get part-way into a flying course and discover that they have something wrong which will prevent them ever getting a pilot’s licence.

Wearing spectacles is not an issue, and most controlled conditions such as high blood pressure will not preclude an individual from getting a licence. But some conditions will, and it is as well to know this in advance.

The Private Pilot’s Licence Course.

Once the prospective student has done the above, he or she should do some research to find an appropriate flying school, and also take some care when choosing a flying instructor. He will be spending a lot of time and money, and it needs to be in a place and with a person with whom he is happy.

The flying course is a legal minimum of 45 hours in the UK, 40 hours in the USA. However, it should be noted that most people take longer than this, and extra hours should be budgeted for in advance. The course will involve flying manoeuvres, navigation, and use of the radio. The student will fly a certain number of hours solo, and visit some other airfields, with an instructor, and later on alone. It is hard work, but tremendous fun!

There are also a number of written examinations to pass. ‘Ground School’, as it is known, is required in every country, as pilots need to know about navigation, meteorology, principles of flight, radio use, aviation, law, and a number of other subjects. The exams do require some study, but are usually multiple choice, and not that difficult.

When all of the above is completed, there will be a final skills test, and then…the individual is a pilot at last!

Reference

The copyright of the article Training for a Private Pilot's Licence in Aviation is owned by Helen Krasner. Permission to republish Training for a Private Pilot's Licence in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.