An Introduction to Flying Lessons

If you haven’t flown a light aircraft before we can offer you an hour's taster to flying lessons when we can explain fully what to expect during your PPL training. Your trial lesson will consist of a preflight brief on how the aeroplane works and how you control it. Your instructor will show you around the outside and inside of the aircraft on the ground and then when you take to the air the instructor will start to teach you the effects of the controls and you will be able to see if learning to fly is for you. At the end of the lesson, we’ll issue you with a certificate, with all the details of your flight, which can be counted towards your total PPL training hours you need to accumulate during your flying lessons.

Take Flight Aviation is a CAA registered training facility and our course the Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) program is divided into two parts. One part concerns the theoretical knowledge to prepare you for the ground exams and the other is the actual flight training.

We can offer training to suit you diary and budget from intensive training over a few weeks to more leisurely training over a couple of years.

The Private Pilots Licence (PPL)

Your flying training will need to consist of a minimum flight time of 45 hours. Of this 45 hours, a minimum of 25 hours will be under dual instruction, and at least 10 hours of solo flying must be carried out including at least 5 hours solo 'cross country' time; this will include a qualifying 'cross country' flight of at least 270 km (150 nm), during which you will land at two aerodromes other than your home airfield

Prior to each flight throughout the course, whether dual or solo, you will have a detailed preflight brief with your flying instructor, who will go through each element of the exercise. After each flying lesson, there will be a thorough debrief, when you will be encouraged to discuss the flight with your instructor and when he/she will answer any questions you may have.

The early part of your training will be spent in local areas around Wellesbourne, when you will learn how to handle the aeroplane safely. Then follows circuit training, when you learn how to take-off and land the aeroplane. When you have flown your first solo circuit, you will then progress to learning how to navigate your aircraft in preparation for your cross-country solo.

PPL Flight Training Syllabus

• Familiarisation with the aeroplane • Emergency drills • Preparation for and action after flight • Air experience • Effects

of controls • Taxiing • Taxiing emergencies • Straight and level flight • Climbing • Descending • Turning • Slow flight

• Stalling • Spin avoidance • Take-off and climb to down-wind position • Circuit, approach and landing • Emergencies

(on take-off/landing) • First solo • Advanced turning • Forced landing without power • Precautionary landings • Navigation

• Basic instrument flight • Navigation at lower levels and reduced visibility • Basic instrument flight • Radio navigation

Age and Health

Providing you are 14 years old or over, you can log all your flying lessons towards the PPL course, although you must be at least 16 years old to be able to fly solo. The minimum age for the issue of a PPL is 17 years. All pilots must undergo an aviation medical (Class 2 for PPL) conducted by a local CAA authorised medical practitioner. Providing you meet the JAR (Joint Aviation Rules) medical requirements, there is no upper age limit.

Theory Ground Training Syllabus and Exams

Learning how to fly the aeroplane is only one part of the course. There’s the theory too! There are seven exams in total. The subject matter may seem daunting at first but is not difficult especially as it’ done alongside your flying, which makes the theory make sense.

Once you have taken your first written exam, you will need to complete the other six written exams within a 12-month period. However, you do have 24 months from the date of that first pass in which to complete your flight training.

The exams are taken in house at Take Flight Aviation, as we are also a registered ground examination centre.

They cover • Air Law • Human Performance and Limitations • Meteorology • Navigation • Flight Performance and Planning • Aircraft General and Principles of Flight • Radio Telephony

All written examinations are in a multiple-choice format, with a pass mark of 75%. Most students choose to work towards the written exams under a programme of self-study, with books and guidance from their instructor. We can also offer one to one or as demand requires group ground school training for brushing up on those areas where you may need a little help. There is also a practical Radio Telephony exam.

Completing your PPL licence

Once you have completed your flight training and all the written exams, and you have reached a safe and competent standard, your instructor will put you forward for the Skills test the flying equivalent of the driving test.

The Cost

Depending on when and how often you fly and your own skill levels and the amount of ground training you require expect to spend between £5,000 and £8,000. You can opt for a National PPL with a minimum of 32 hours which could save you £1500 - £2,000. Pop and see us for a chat to discuss options.

Maintaining your PPL licence

Once you have your PPL licence and become a full flying member of Take Flight you can really start to enjoy the privileges of your licence and hire a plane for a day or longer from trips in the UK and abroad. To keep your licence valid, you will need to have completed a minimum of 12 hours flying within a 2-year period, with at least 12 hours being flown in the last 12 months of that period. You will also require an hours flying with an instructor every 2 years. You will need to keep your medical current, how often you are examined depends on your age. You may also want to extend your licence to fly at night or in IMC (Instrument Metrological Conditions) again, which can be done in house.