LEARN TO FLY
At Edinburgh - the busiest commercial airport in Scotland

A SHORT GUIDE TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A JAR PRIVATE PILOT'S LICENCE

Section links : [Intro] [Ground Studies] [Flying] [Medical] [Costs] [NPPL] [Club]

INTRODUCTION
The course for the issue of a PPL consists of both flying training and ground studies with associated examinations, which complement each other throughout your training. Your instructor's objective is to ensure that you reach the necessary standard to qualify for the issue of a PPL in the shortest possible time and consequently at the lowest possible cost. Learning to fly is enjoyable and challenging at the same time.

GROUND STUDIES
The first part of your Ground Studies is the preparation for the flying exercises and the second is for the written examinations. During the course you should expect to spend a number of hours of private study on these subjects. Your instructor will always be available to assist you with any questions you may have.
You will require to pass examinations in the following subjects:-
Air Law and Operational Procedures
Meteorology
Flight Performance and Planning
Human Performance and Limitations
Aircraft General and Principles of Flight
Navigation
Communications

With the exception of Communications all the examinations are sat at the Club and no fee is involved. Communications requires a visit to a locally based special examiner who charges a fee for his services.

FLYING TRAINING
The course consists of a minimum of 45 hours flying following a syllabus approved by the Civil Aviation Authority. This is the CAA's minimum number of hours and while licence standard can be achieved in that time it may take more hours than that. At least 25 hours will be dual flight instruction which includes 2 hours of stall awareness and spin avoidance training. The minimum solo requirement is 10 hours including 5 hours of cross country flight. Additionally during your training you will complete a cross country flight of at least 150 nautical miles in the course of which you will land away at two aerodromes prior to returning to Edinburgh.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Although a Medical Certificate is not required at the commencement of your training it will be needed before your first solo flight. It is obtained from a CAA Medical Adviser and our advice is that you should have the medical examination carried out at an early date.

COSTS
Your training will normally be done in our Tomahawk aircraft. The rates are £145 per hour dual (training with an instructor), and £130 per hour solo. If your weight exceeds 180 lbs you will require to train on our Warrior and the rates for this are £170 per hour dual and £155 per hour solo.
Landing fees at the aerodromes, including Edinburgh, are additional to this, rates dependent on the aerodrome in question.
You will also require various textbooks and equipment, the total cost of which is about £200.
Club Membership costs £225 per year.
You can also expect to pay £150 (approx) for your medical, £173 for your flight test, and £46 for an NPPL licence (see section below) or £164 for a JAA PPL licence.
The only up front charge of those is your Club membership, other costs are incurred as you go along, spread over the period of your course.

THE NATIONAL PPL
We can also train you for the NPPL. Unlike the JAR PPL, which is internationally recognised, this licence is a UK only licence. There is a reduced flying syllabus and the minimum training hours are reduced. The ground syllabus and examinations are the same. The major advantage of this licence lies in the reduced medical requirements and the easier method of retaining your licence privileges.

THE CLUB
The Club, which is one of the few members owned and operated flying clubs in Scotland, operates from a small clubhouse overlooking the General Aviation apron. We are open 7 days a week from 9am to 5.30pm. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information. If you would like to visit the Club, one of our instructors will be happy to offer you a coffee, a chat on what to expect, and to answer any questions you may have. It would be advisable to telephone in advance to let us know you are coming.