|
flight training FAQs (UK)
What are ‘Hours’ and how are they counted?
What different types of
medical exam are available and what do they allow you to do?
How many ground exams are there and what is the
pass mark for the PPL?
How long does the PPL skills test take and
what does it comprise?
Is passing the skills test the only
requirement before issuing my licence?
How many hours do I need before I can start the
CPL course?
Why Modular?
What’s the difference
between the CPL and ATPL exams and where can I do them?
Why should I do a multi-engine instrument
rating over a single engine version?
What do I do after completing my Instrument
Rating?
What are ‘Hours’ and how ar
e they counted?
What are ‘Hours’ and how are they counted?
Your level of experience and your
ability to proceed with various stages in aviation training is established
by how much time you have completed in the air. This is counted in hours
or divisions of. It is very important that a pilot has a logbook in which
he can record the amount of time he has spent in the air. The times you
enter into your logbook should be those from when you take the parking
brake off at the beginning of the flight to when you put it back on again
during shutdown at the end.
What different types of
medical exam
What different types of
medical exam are available and what do they allow you to do?
There are essentially three
different types of medical exam and resulting certificate in
circulation at the moment. At the most basic level is a letter signed by
your GP saying that you are fit to partake in aviation training. Obviously
this is the easiest and cheapest to obtain (most doctors charge around £25
for this) but will only be of use to those wishing to limit themselves to
an NPPL. The examination is less restrictive than the other types
available so would be suitable for a person who may have a medical
condition which would cause them to fail the other more restrictive
medical exams.
-----Those wishing to undertake a full PPL will need to pass a Class Two
medical exam and be in possession of the appropriate medical certificate
before going solo. The Class Two can only be issued by an Aviation Medical
Examiner (AME).
-----The highest level of medical is a Class One which is required by
those wishing to pursue the professional licences. The initial exam costs
around £400 and can only be undertaken at the CAA headquarters at Gatwick.
Once you have passed this you will need to have the resultant certificate
revalidated by an AME once a year.
How many ground exams are there
How many ground exams are there and what is the
pass mark for the PPL?
There are a total of seven ground exams for the PPL – Air Law,
Navigation, Meteorology, Aircraft Technical, Flight Performance/Planning,Human
Performance and the R/T written exam. The pass mark for all exams is 75%.
It should also be noted that there is a R/T practical exam.
How long does the PPL skills test
How long does the PPL skills test take and
what does it comprise?
The PPL skills test can be undertaken
when you have completed at minimum of 45 hours training. However, you will
only be released to test according to your abilities. The actual test
takes approximately two and a half hours and comprises of two main
sections – general handling and navigation. General handling includes
stalling, a simulated forced landing and circuit work. The navigation will
involve you demonstrating to the Examiner that you can fly from A to B
without getting lost and reaching B within the time that you have
specified.
Is passing the skills test
Is passing the skills test the only
requirement before issuing my licence?
In a word, no! Before you take the
test you must have demonstrated your ability to fly as a Pilot-in-Command
in other ways. Once you have passed your Air Law exam and reached the
required flying standard, your instructor will send you on your First Solo
– your first opportunity to fly the aircraft on your own. This will be for
one circuit only. Following that, again when you have reached the required
standard, you will be released for your Solo Cross Country where you will
fly the aircraft on your own to two other airfields, landing at each of
them before flying back.
How many hours do I need
How many hours do I need before I can start the
CPL course?
If you decide you wish to take your training further and obtain a
Commercial licence you must first complete the ground exams (see below).
Assuming you have passed all of these, you will need a total of 150 hours
before you can start the course. Furthermore, the CAA will only issue your
licence once you have obtained 100 hours as Pilot-in-Command. Similarly to
the PPL you must also complete a Solo Cross Country in your own time
before the licence will be issued.
Why Modular?
Why Modular?
There has been a great debate over this subject for many years. To
obtain a professional pilot’s licence there are currently two routes. The
first, known as the Integrated Method, is aimed at those with virtually no
flying experience at all. If you follow this method you will obtain a
‘frozen’ ATPL at the end of a (roughly) two-year course. Its primary
purpose is training airline wannabees which may not suit those who only
have designs on instructing, for example. There are several other
disadvantages – one of them being the cost. Aviation training,
particularly if you wish to pursue it to professional levels can be
expensive and an Integrated course will usually cost you around £50,000 to
£60,000, which you must commit to one training organisation. Furthermore
you will have to commit two years of your life to the course, which is
sufficiently demanding that doing anything else will be out of the
question!
-----The Modular method is slightly different. Its main advantage is its
flexibility. The route from zero-hours to a frozen ATPL is made up of a
series of modules which although have to be completed in a specific order
can be done on a time-scale to suit you. You are entirely free to take
breaks in between modules for your own purposes. The modular scheme allows
you to attend different training organisations for different modules that
can either reflect those that are better for different training elements
or to reflect your personal life. Finally the modular scheme does
generally work out to be cheaper.
-----Over the years many have accused the Modular method of not being what
aviation employers and in particular, airlines want. However this is not
the case. Before the introduction of JAA rules and regulations this may
have had some basis but in this day and age graduates of the Integrated
and Modular schemes are both possessors of the same licence with the same
level of experience.
What’s the difference
between the CPL
What’s the difference
between the CPL and ATPL exams and where can I do them?
Essentially, the difference
is the level of knowledge required. However, unless you are especially
budget-constrained or can never, ever see yourself applying and using an
ATPL then there is little point in merely doing the CPL exams. Indeed you
will find it quite hard to find an aviation training establishment that
still offers an appropriate course. It would be of far more potential use
to do the ATPL exams as they leave you with far more options in the
future, whatever your current goals are.
-----Many flight schools not undertake the professional ground exams
directly but there are several training establishments in the UK who will
quite happily offer you the appropriate course and we will happily point
you in the direction of the best one for you. There are two methods of
completing the course – distance learning or classroom. The former is
cheaper and can be done at your own pace, something you might want to
consider if you decide to remain working for the duration. The latter is a
full-time course requiring you to attend a daily course for approximately
six months. It is more expensive but if you lack the discipline to work at
home it is probably the better option.
-----One tip though: which ever option you chose, do not underestimate the
level of commitment the ground exams will require. They can be extremely
academically demanding, particularly for those a long time out of school.
Although the exams are multi-choice based they are specifically designed
to trip you up in all sorts of cunning methods, and believe me, they will!
Why should I do a multi-engine
i
Why should I do a multi-engine instrument
rating over a single engine version?
The single engine instrument rating is significantly cheaper than the
multi-engine version for the obvious reason – the former does not require
time in a multi-engine aircraft. However, pursuing the single-engine
rating for this reason is really a false economy unless you have a
specific purpose for single-engine instrument flying and cannot honestly
see yourself multi-engine flying in the future. Ultimately you are far
more likely to earn money in aviation with a multi-engine instrument
rating than a single-engine rating.
What do I do after completing
What do I do after completing my Instrument
Rating?
This very much depends on you. What
exactly do you want out of your potential aviation career? If you want to
progress to airline flying then you need to attend a multi-crew
co-operation (MCC) course. You will have to take an Instructors
rating course. Just don’t forget one thing: in order to keep your
Instrument rating valid you must re-test once a year otherwise it lapses
and you may no longer legally make use of its privileges!
|
