The Private Pilots Licence

How To Become A Pilot..details stolen from www.cardiffwalesflyingclub.co.uk


The PPL Syllabus, Flight Training, PPL FAQ 

1. Familiarisation with the aircraft. 
2. Preparation and action after the flight.
3. Air experience.
4. Effects and controls.
5. Taxying.
6. Straight and level.
7. Climbing.
8. Descending.
9. Turning.
10. Slow flight.
10a. Stalling.
11. Spin recovery.
12. Take off and climb to downwind position.
13. The circuit, approach and landing.
14. First solo.
15. Advanced turning.
16. Forced landings without power.
17. Precautionary landings.
18. Pilot navigation.
18a. Navigation at lower level / reduced visibility
18b. Radio navigation.
19. Introduction to instrument flight / Flight on instruments.

The PPL Exams
Written Exams (Multiple Choice)
Aircraft general + Principals of flight.
Flight performance & planning
Meteorology
Air law and operational procedures
Human performance and limitations
Navigation

Practical Test
Radiotelephony

Solo Flight
Qualifying cross country

Flight Test
Skill test



Familiarisation with the aircraft
A brief look at the various components of an aircraft, its controls and instruments.

Preparation for flight and action after the flight
A study of the correct procedures before and after the flight. 
Some of the subjects covered include booking out,aircraft inspection, shut down procedures and post flight documentation.

Air experience
A short local flight with an instructor, giving the student the opportunity to fly the aircraft and use the aircraft's intercom. 

Effects of controls
An introduction to the principals of flight, basic aerodynamic principals and how various controls affect the aircraft's attitude. 

Taxying
Students are taught the correct procedures for manoeuvring the aircraft on the ground. 

Straight and level
In this module the student learns how to fly the aircraft on a constant heading at a constant altitude for differing airspeeds. 

Climbing
After covering one basic flight manoeuvre (straight and level), the student now learns how the aircraft climbs, at different airspeeds and in different configurations e.g. with flaps. 

Descending
What goes up must come down - preferably in a controlled manner! Here the student learns how the aircraft handles during a glide descent and once proficient will explore the effects of power and flaps on the descent. 

Turning
Initially the student will learn how to perform level turns. They will then go on to learn how to turn when climbing and descending. 

Slow flight
During this exercise the student learns how to fly the aircraft at just 5 - 10 knots faster than the stall speed. This requires the student to develop their coordination skills, for keeping the aircraft in balance using the rudder, power and attitude to keep the aircraft at the required airspeed. 

Stalling
A stall occurs when the wings no longer provide lift, often as a result of low airspeed. Here the student is taught the correct procedure for stall recovery. 

Spin recovery (Optional)
When an aircraft spins it looses height rapidly. In this exercise the student learns how to recover from a spin as quickly as possible.

Take off and climb to downwind position
This exercise teaches the student the correct take off procedures and the initial climb. 

The circuit, approach and landing

First solo

Advanced turning

Forced landings without power

Precautionary landings

Pilot navigation

Navigation at lower level / reduced visibility

Radio navigation

Introduction to instrument flight



Frequently Asked Questions

How fit do I need to be?
Do I need any qualifications to learn to fly?
How safe is learning to fly?
Is there much to learn to gain my PPL?
How much will it cost me to learn to fly?

Q. How fit do I need to be?

A. People start to learn to fly at all ages and are required to take a basic medical with a doctor in your local area. The doctor must have approval from the Civil Aviation Authority to carry out these types of medical. The medical is akin to the type of school medical that most of us have been subjected to at some time in our lives, It is usual for people over the age of 40 to have an ECG in addition to the basic medical. Contrary to popular belief, a high percentage of PPLs wear glasses to correct their vision. The cost of the medical is approximately £100.00. 



Q. Do I need any qualifications to learn to fly?

A. No. You do not need any qualifications whatsoever, just a very basic knowledge of maths and bags of enthusiasm, which in our experience is never a problem!



Q. How safe is learning to fly?

A. Extremely safe, you will be in the hands of highly trained Instructors. You probably drove your car today at approximately 30 - 50 mph, trusting the person coming towards you, to pass you in the opposite direction and maintain a separation from you of 2 - 3 feet at a combined speed of 60 - 100 mph. So, it's easy to believe the statistics that show that you are many tens of times more likely to have a serious accident driving than than you would flying a light aircraft!



Q. Is there much to learn to gain my PPL?

A. Most of the work is carried out in the cockpit with your Instructor, although there is some home study involved through a recommended course of books. I found the best value flying books at   . At various stages you will have to pass examinations in key subjects, although these examinations are of the multiple choice type.



Q. How much will it cost me to learn to fly?

A. Prospective pilots should budget for between £4500 and £5000 as an average 

REMEMBER - The licence is valid for life as long as you keep passing the medical, although there have been a number of changes under JAR. The rating is now valid for 24-month periods. In each 24-month period pilots are now required to fly at least 12 hours during the last 12 months of the rating's validity. At least 6 of these hours must be as pilot in command (P1). Failure to comply with this will mean a proficiency check with an examiner.