Here at Carlisle Flight Training we offer a number of courses which include JAA PPL, NPPL, Night Qualification, and IMC Rating, R/T Licence, Differences Training (for complex aircraft), Safety Pilot and lapsed ratings renewals.

JAA PPL

The The JAA (Joint Aviation Authority) PPL is a European licence which is internationally recognised and allows you to fly any single piston-engine aircraft, in reasonable weather. To obtain this licence you must complete a minimum of 45 hours flying – including skill test, 10 hours of this must be solo and of that 5 hours must be navigation, during which you have to land at two other airports (we normally use Newcastle and Durham Tees-Valley). The course includes an appreciation of basic instrument flying and navigation using radio beacons. You will need a class 2 aviation medical, from a CAA authorised medical examiner. During the course you will need to pass 7 theory exams, all of which are multi-choice and require 75% or more to pass. You may take all these exams here at CFT with our resident CAA approved examiner.

The exams are:

The NPPL

The National Private Pilots Licence is a U.K. licence which is only valid in U.K. airspace. To obtain this licence you must do a minimum of 32 hours training – plus flight tests. The syllabus is very similar to the JAA-PPL except there is no instrument flying or radio navigation required. Also you do not require a special aviation medical, merely to get your G.P. to confirm that you meet DVLA driving standards. However there are restrictions on the types aircraft you can fly SSEA (Simple Single Engine Aircraft) and if you want to add night or instrument flying privileges you must first upgrade to a JAA-PPL.

Night Qualification

This is a nice little rating to add to your PPL, taking a minimum of 5 hours, one of which must be solo, and no tests to do! It offers a completely different perspective of the area and landing at night can be challenging but fun.

IMC

This rating allows you to fly in or above cloud and is very useful if you use your licence and aircraft to go places as the weather will be less of a limiting factor and on cloudy days its often much nicer to be able to fly above the clouds in the sunshine to your destination. This course is a minimum of 15 hours plus test and there is also a theory exam, you will learn to fly the aircraft by using only the flight instruments and navigate using radio beacons without being able to see outside the aircraft.

R/T

Usually done at the same time as your PPL it can be done as a stand alone rating, useful if you are not a pilot yourself but regularly fly with someone and want to understand what's being said or even help out with the cockpit duties.

Differences Training

If you wish to fly a complex aircraft that is with, variable pitch propeller, retractable undercarriage, a turbo/super charger or a tail wheel then you must do a Differences Training with a flying instructor.

Safety Pilot

If you regularly fly as a passenger then you may want to learn a little more about the aircraft you are in, and be able to take control and even land it in an emergency.

Lapsed Ratings

Do you have a PPL which you haven't used for a few years, or just an IMC rating which isn't current? Then we can arrange a tailor made course for your individual circumstances and get you flying again.