Edinburgh Flying Club

The PPL (Private Pilot's Licence) course consists of both flying training and ground studies with associated examinations. 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.

The first part of your ground studies is the preparation for the flying lessons, and the second is for the written 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

As is normal practice in the UK, this is largely by self study. However, an instructor is always on hand to should you require any additional tutoring.

Ground briefings and exams are free of charge for members (non-members are charged £25 per briefing/exam).

With the exception of Communications all the examinations take place on the club premises. The Communications exam requires a visit to a locally based examiner with special equipment who charges a fee for his services.

The course consists of a minimum of 45 hours of flying lessons following a syllabus approved by the Civil Aviation Authority. While the standard can be achieved in that time it could take longer.

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.

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.

Your training will normally be done in our Tomahawk aircraft. The rates are £150 per hour dual (training with an instructor), and £135 per hour solo.

If your weight exceeds 180 lbs you will be required to train on our Warrior, for which the rates are £175 per hour dual and £160 per hour solo.

Landing fees at the aerodromes, including Edinburgh, are additional to this. Rates are dependent on the aerodrome in question.

You will also require various textbooks and equipment, the total cost of which is about £200.

We can also train you for the NPPL. Unlike the JAR PPL, which is internationally recognised, this licence is a UK only licence. Although there is a reduced flying syllabus and the minimum training hours are reduced, from experience, the same amount of flying training hours are required. The ground syllabus and examinations are the same. The major advantage of this licence lies in the reduced medical requirements.

Edinburgh Flying Club is one of the few members owned and operated flying clubs in Scotland, and has been training pilots since 1934.  We are open 7 days a week from 9am to 5.30pm so 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.