THE PILOT CENTRE


Thinking about learning to fly?

Instructors at the Pilot Centre are experienced, keen and dedicated to passing on their skills and knowledge to everyone who is interested in flying, aiming to make the learning as enjoyable as possible. You will usually fly with one of our full time flying instructors, and occasionally perhaps with one of our part time instructors who are mostly airline pilots.

You should soon feel at home with other flying enthusiasts who help to create the friendly, club atmosphere which is the hallmark of The Pilot Centre.

COURSE PRE-REQUISITES

Age - There is no minimum age to start flying, although you must be able to reach all of the controls. From 14 experience can count towards your licence. You must be at least 16 before you can fly solo and 17 before you can get a licence. There is no upper age for PPL holders.

Fitness - Pilots come in all shapes and sizes, but a reasonable standard of fitness is expected. A medical examination will be required before your first solo flight.

Clothes - There are no special requirements. Wear comfortable clothes and sensible shoes, as if you were going to drive a car, and have a warm, windproof jacket available for outdoor use.

Educational Qualifications - No academic qualifications are needed - just an ordinary standard of Secondary Education. Good spoken and written English skills are essential.

GROUND SCHOOL

There is an examination for each ground school subject, each lasting about one hour. These examinations can be taken at The Pilot Centre and the good news is that the examinations have multiple-choice answers. There is also an oral assessment for the Radiotelephony. We can provide Ground School tuition during the winter.

  • Air Law
  • Operational Procedures
  • Communications
  • Navigation
  • Flight Planning and Performance
  • Human Performance
  • Aircraft General Knowledge
  • Principles Of Flight
  • Meteorology

UK NATIONAL PILOT’S LICENCE (NPPL)

  • Course minimum 32 hours flying training includes 10 hours Supervised Solo
  • Medical - less rigorous
  • Navigation Skill Test
  • 100nm qualifying cross-country with two landings away.
  • Shorter General Skill Test
  • NPPL is not accepted outside UK airspace (except with specific permission)
  • You can only fly in a single-engine aircraft of 2000kg or less, with not more than 4 people on board.
You can upgrade to the PPL.

UK PART-FCL PRIVATE PILOT LICENCE (PPL)

  • Course minimum 40 hours flying training includes 10 hours Supervised Solo
  • Class 2 medical. (A list of authorised Aero- Medical Examiners is available www.caa.co.uk.)
  • 150nm qualifying cross-country with two landings away.
  • Skill Test, once you have satisfactorily completed the syllabus. The emphasis throughout the Skill Test will be on safety and competence.

Extra things to budget for

  • Medical
  • Headset
  • Text books
  • Navigation equipment
  • Landing fees away from Denham
  • Skill Test aircraft rental
  • CAA licence issue
  • Any additional hours required

The first step towards your PPL is usually a Trial Flying Lesson. Please telephone, email, or best of all visit, to obtain more information. You will find that a warm welcome awaits you whenever you decide to contact us again.

Having gained your Licence, what next?

You can hire our aeroplanes. There are Club outings which enable you to share the flying and the cost with other pilots.
Some pilots choose to work for additional qualifications like Night and IMC Ratings, or fly more complex aircraft. Those with ambitions to become professional pilots can progress to the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).