UK CAA Pilot Training

We currently offer the following UK CAA pilot training courses:

PPL(A) – Private Pilots Licence for Aircraft
NPPL(A) – National Private Pilots Licence for aircraft (was LAPL)
Night Rating
IMC Rating – Instrument Meteorological Conditions Rating
MEP – Multi Engine Piston Rating
CBMIR – Competency Based Modular Instrument Rating
Flight Instructor – Flight Instructor Rating [Coming Soon]
Differences Training – Retractable Gear & Variable Pitch Propeller

For further details on all flight courses please see below or contact us by email or on 07751 208191.

PPL(A) – Private Pilots Licence (Airplane)

Our PPL course offers you the training and experience you need to captain a light aircraft. We offer a normal route (pay as you go) and an accelerated route, by which you could gain your PPL Licence in approximately 4 weeks. The accelerated route is an intensive course and would require a full time commitment.

Our PPL course will allow you to act as pilot in command (PIC) in non-commercial operations on aeroplanes or touring motor glider (TMGs).

The PPL course requires a minimum of forty hours flying time (including ten hours of solo flight) culminating in a flight skills test with an examiner. The skills test will examine your general handling and navigation. In addition, there are:

nine written exams (covering a range of topics such as human performance, principles of flight and meteorology),
a practical radio operator’s exam
a medical exam with a CAA-approved doctor

Price Example for 4 Week PPL:

40 hours flying: £8,600 (Tecnam P2002), £8,920 (Cessna 152), £9,800 (PA28)
9 Ground exams including tuition & access to our e-learning suite by Pooleys: £675
Skill Test £250
Circuit training ~£150 (@ £5 each)
Medical £180 (approx)
Equipment (charts, rulers and other items): ~£150
Land away charge £100
Total FROM ~£10,000

Any questions or additional information required please contact us by email or call the CFI, Eddie direct on 07751 208191

We don’t ask for payment upfront and flight training with us is ‘pay as you fly’

Finally, you may consider upgrading your Private Pilots Licence to include additional ratings which would allow you to fly in less favourable weather conditions, at night or in a complex or multi-engine aircraft, thus allowing you more flexibility, a greater degree of safety and giving more value to your investment in a PPL.

NPPL(A) – National Private Pilots Licence (Airplane)

The NPPL will allow you to fly within UK Airspace only. There are some restrictions with the NPPL and the privileges of this licence allow you to fly privately (not for remuneration or for any commercial purpose) as the PPL. The main restrictions and limitations of the NPPL are as below:

(a) The privileges of the holder of an NPPL for aeroplanes are to act as PIC on single engine piston aeroplanes-land or TMG with a maximum certificated take-off mass of 2,000 kg or less, carrying a maximum of 3 passengers, such that there are never more than 4 persons on board of the aircraft.

32 hours of Flight Training which includes the following:

15 hours dual instruction
10 hours supervised solo time
A solo cross-country flight of at least 80 nautical miles landing at different airfield to the departure airfield and then returning to the airfield of departure

And as with the PPL In addition to the flight time there are nine ground exams which you will need to pass. All are multiple choice answers in subjects that hopefully you will enjoy learning. The exams are an integral part of becoming a safe, competent and experienced pilot and the minimum pass mark is 75%

We will discuss with you in more detail which licence is right for you to ensure you complete the training that is right for your needs now and in the future.

Your new licence be it PPL or NPPL will allow you to fly single engine piston aircraft in daylight hours under VFR (Visual Flight Rules).

Medical Requirements

Whether you choose to train for the PPL or the NPPL during your course and before your first solo flight you will be required undertake a medical examination and to be issued with a Pilot Medical Certificate. For the PPL this is known as a ‘Class 2’ Pilot Medical or for the NPPL course simply an NPPL Medical. These are issued by Aviation Medical Examiners (AME’s), Doctors who are authorised by the CAA to carry out Pilot Medicals and issue the appropriate certificates. Some GP’s who participate in the scheme can also issue NPPL Medicals only, however this is subject to a number of provisos. We can advise you on where to find an AME.

Learn to Fly in just 4 Weeks!

If you are already a pilot and have the PPL(A) licence above, you can extend your capabilities by getting a night rating which allows you to fly at night in good weather conditions or an Instrument rating which allows you to fly in low visibility conditions.

Night Rating

If you have a pilot’s licence (PPL or NPPL) you can add night ratings to allow you to fly in visual flight rules (VFR) conditions at night.

Night in the UK is from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise but is defined nationally in each ICAO country.

The course will include theory, dual instruction and solo flight time at night. The night rating is valid for life. But if you want to carry passengers at night the normal passenger rules of ‘3 take-off and landings in past 90 days’ apply, with the addition that, unless you have a valid instrument rating, at least one of each must have been at night.

To add night ratings to an aeroplane (A) licence your training will cover:

Theoretical knowledge instruction
5 hours of flight time at night including at least:
- 3 hours of dual flying instruction
- 1 hour of cross-country navigation with at least one dual cross-country flight of at least 50km
- 5 solo take-offs and 5 solo full-stop landings

Prices from £1,500.

The night rating is a personal rating, not an aircraft rating, so if you have both a single-engine piston land (SEP land) and touring motor glider (TMG) class rating you can complete the training on either or both classes.

IMC Rating

The IMC rating allows holders to fly in Instrument Meteorological Conditions within the boundaries of UK airspace. It permits the holder to be far more flexible in the type of weather he or she wishes to fly.

Our course consists of a minimum of 15 hours, all dual instruction, with a written examination and skills test. The pilot must have completed 25 hours post-PPL flying before the rating can be issued.

MEP – Multi Engine Piston Rating

A Multi Engine Piston Rating allows you to fly twin-engine aircraft that provide the additional safety of having two engines instead of just one. If you intend to take up a professional flying career, the MEP Rating is an essential step.

CBMIR – Competency Based Modular Instrument Rating

The traditional modular IR route requires a minimum of 50 hours of instrument time. The CBMIR removes this rigid structure and replaces it with a focus on demonstrated competence. For pilots who already hold a PPL and have accumulated meaningful flying experience, this is a more intelligent, efficient, and cost-effective route to one of aviation’s most valuable ratings.

It is particularly well suited to experienced PPL with IMC rating holders who are ready to make the step up to instrument flight and want a training programme that recognises and builds on what they already know.

FI – Flight Instructor Rating

Flight instruction is extremely rewarding and enjoyable, whether it be with students just starting out, passing their skill tests or seeking more advanced techniques. This qualification will allow you to instruct licence holders for the issue / renewal / re-validation of a NPPL/PPL and to conduct differences training

Note: CPL or ATPL Theory knowledge exam passes are required to instruct ab-initio PPL including trial lessons.

Would you like to fly outside of the UK

FAA Pilot Training

Would you like a trial flight lesson first?

Fight Experiences

Useful Information from the CAA

For further up-to-date information please go to www.caa.co.uk

Minimum age for a pilots licence

The minimum age to get a PPL is 17 years old.
The minimum age to get a SPL or BPL is 16 years old.
To fly commercially the minimum age is 18 years old.

Training for licences or ratings

There are a number of training requirements that applicants must complete relating to the type of licence or rating being applied for. They include elements of the following:

Theoretical knowledge exams
Flight skill test
Flight instruction

Theoretical knowledge examinations

As part of the application for a private licence, you will need to take and pass exams in the following subject areas:

Common subjects

Air law
Human performance
Meteorology
Communications

Exams specific to the aircraft category:

Principles of flight
Operational procedures
Flight performance and planning
Aircraft general knowledge
Navigation

Flight skills test

You will need to fly the aircraft from a seat in which you can act as PIC and carry out the test as if there is no other crew member.

You must demonstrate to your examiner that you have carried out the appropriate checks and duties for the aircraft on which you are taking your test, including identification of radio facilities. During pre-flight preparation, you will need to determine power settings and speeds, and calculate performance data for take-off, landing and approach in compliance with the operations or flight manual for the aircraft you are using.

Your flight examiner may ask you to repeat any manoeuvre or procedure once during your test.

Requirements for flying solo

During your training course you will be required to complete solo flights. Students cannot fly solo unless authorised to do so and under the supervision of a flight instructor.

The minimum age to fly an aircraft in the UK is 16 years old.