Most people have, at some
time or other, wondered what it must be like to fly a light
aircraft. You are about to embark on an adventure that has
been a wonder of man since the dawn of time.
At Southern
Flying Centre, we can take you from your first fledgling
flight to becoming a confident private pilot's licence holder
(PPL). Our recommended approach for those who wish to
gain their PPL but have had no previous flying training experience
is to take a Trial
Lesson to begin with followed by one of our PPL
Training Experience Courses and then continue your PPL
training until you have completed all of the required airborneflying
exercises and theory
examinations.
Our
students usually begin their PPL training on the Piper Warrior
PA28 aircraft, which is a superb trainer with sound handling
characteristics. However, it is entirely up to you which
aircraft you take your course on.
Completing
your PPL on one aircraft does not limit your future flying
activities to that aircraft. A few hours of ‘conversion
check out' with a club instructor will entitle you to fly
other aircraft which fall within your licence privileges – which
in the case of an initial PPL holder means ‘single engine
(piston) land' aircraft.
One of our highly professional
and experienced instructors will take you from a beginner to a fully qualified PPL holder. At Southern
Flying Centre we pride ourselves on having assembled one
of the finest teams of instructors in the business. Our staff
are dedicated to their profession as well as having a deep
passion for flying. Their specialities vary from PPL instruction
to night, instrument and tailwheel instruction.
SFC offer
you a choice
of PPL Qualification
Southern Flying Centre offer both PPL SEP JAR (45 hours
minimum training) and NPPL SEP CAA (35 hours minimum)
training courses. The essential difference is that
the former allows additional privileges to the PPL
holder (for example you will be able to fly abroad).
Most of our students opt for the former qualification,
however we suggest that you discuss this matter with
your instructor so that you can train for the PPL
that suits your flying ambitions.
PPL Flying Training Syllabus
You will encounter five major
milestones on your track to gaining your PPL. These are:-
Your First Unassisted Landing
(instructor onboard but hands off)
Your First Solo Flight
A Solo Cross Country Flight
including Two Landings at other Airports
Your 'General Flying Test'
(GFT)
Passing your Flying Theory
Examinations
To meet these objectives your PPL course will follow
a structured and progressive path. The course is based upon the joint aviation
authority (JAA) recommended syllabus, which is divided into two parts. One-part
deals with the theoretical knowledge required - more about that later - and
the other deals with the practical flight training.
The flight training section
of the course will be the most stimulating. Although you
do not need outstanding ability to operate an aeroplane
in a safe manner, you will need a degree of determination
and patience, particularly in the early stages.
During your flying training you will have to complete 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 Shoreham, such as Lydd and Southend.
The minimum
number of dual and solo hours you must fly is 35, leaving
a further 10 hours to be completed as either dual or solo
flight, or partly of each, as you wish. Prior to each flight
throughout the course, whether dual or solo, you will have
a detailed pre-flight brief with your instructor, who will
go through each element of the exercise. After each flight,
there will be a thorough debrief when you will be encouraged
to discuss the flight with your instructor, and when any
questions you may have will be answered.
The early days of
training will be spent in local areas around Shoreham airport,
when you will how learn to handle the aircraft competently.
This is followed by ‘circuit training', when you learn
how to take-off and land the aircraft safely. When you
have confidently flown your first solo circuit, you will
then be taught how to navigate your aircraft from point
to point. The following list describes the various air
exercises in which you will receive instruction, to allow
you to meet the JAA requirements:
PPL Exercises
Exercise No
Exercise
1
Familiarisation with the aeroplane
1e
Emergency drills
2
Preparation for and action after a flight
3
Air experience
4
Effect of controls
5
Taxiing
5e
Taxiing emergencies
6
Straight and level flying
7
Climbing
8
Descending
9
Turning
10
Slow flight
10a
Stalling
10b
Spin avoidance
11
Take-off and climb to down-wind position
12
Circuit, approach and
landing
12/13e
Emergencies (on take-off and landing)
14
First solo flight
15
Advanced turning
16
Forced landing without
power
17
Precautionary landings
18a
Navigation
18b
Navigation at lower levels and reduced
visibility
18c
Radio navigation
19
Basic instrument flight
PPL Theory Syllabus
Learning how
to fly an aircraft is only one part of the course. There
are a number of theory subjects, which you will need to know
in some detail in order to pass seven written exams.
The
subject matter is not difficult, although at first glance
there may seem to be quite a lot of it. Nevertheless, having
a good solid understanding of all aspects of aviation will
make you a safe and competent pilot, as well as adding to
the richness of a fascinating and fulfilling pastime.
Once
you have taken your first written examination, 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.
Southern
Flight Centre is a JAA registered examination centre,
so the written examinations are taken here at Shoreham
under formal examination conditions. The examinations are:-
Theory Examinations
1
Air law (this
must be passed before you make your first solo flight)
