Q What do I have to do to get my Private Pilot's Licence?
A You must have 'logged' a minimum of 45 hours flying time for a JAA PPL, or 32 hours for the NPPL, before you complete your qualifying tests, all of which must have been flown under the direction a qualified flying instructor, including a minimum of 10 hours ‘solo'. Before you can fly ‘solo' you must be sixteen years of age and hold a valid medical certificate (depending on which course you decide to follow, there is a list of CAA Medical Examiners in your area on the CAA web site, alternatively you can obtain a medical from your local GP, the course you choose dictates the type of medical you require). You must also obtain ground training on all subjects associated with your practical flying.
Q How long does it take and what does it involve?
A You will receive your training in a dual controlled aircraft; we use Piper Tomahawk, Warrior and Archer aircraft. Each flight will start with a pre flight briefing which lasts about 30 minutes and will be followed by a de-brief to make sure you have fully understood what you have done and cover any questions you may now have. We don't want to baffle you with too much information at once so don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to. As for how long it will take, there are many deciding factors involved with the time period, weather, money and your time; there is no limit as to how long you take although your ground exams do have an expiration date. If you have the time to attend daily it is possible, weather permitting to obtain your PPL in 4 to 6 weeks, if like most people you are unable to take 6 weeks off work then it is more realistic to expect it to take 6 to 12 months, but again as with all things aviation the Great British Weather plays a huge part in this.
Q What exams do I need to do for my PPL?
A There are seven written examinations to be taken: Air Law and Operational Procedures, Human Performance and Limitations, Aircraft General Knowledge and Principles of Flight, Flight Performance and Planning, Meteorology, Navigation and Communications (there is also a Communications Oral exam). All of the exams are multiple choice requiring 75% to pass. All the exams should be taken over a period not exceeding 18 months. and from the date you pass the final exam you have 2 years to apply for your licence. With our exceptional ground schooling in these subjects you should have no difficulty with passing these. All of the ground exams can be taken here with us. Depending on which licence (PPL/NPPL) you are doing there are one or two flight tests to be undertaken. These can also be done at CFT with one of our in-house examiners.
Q I want to fly for a career, what do I do?
A In order to be paid to fly you need to hold a Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilots Licence (ATPL). The first step towards these licences is the JAA PPL which you can undertake here at CFT. All of our instructors hold commercial licences and can discuss your options with you. If you are considering flying for a career we would strongly recommend you give us a call or pop in for a chat with no obligation. Commercial licences are VERY expensive to obtain and it is vital to understand what you are getting into before you do anything.
Q I have some medical problems, will I be able to learn to fly?
A Yes, if you can meet the DVLA class one standards to drive a private car, you can fly aircraft, even if you don't you can still fly with an instructor any time you want
Q Should I get an NPPL or a JAA PPL?
A We usually recommend the JAA PPL because although the NPPL has a reduced hours requirement most people that gain one do so having done around 40 hours hence it would potentially have been a further 5 hours to gain the JAA licence. The JAA licence also allows extra ratings to be added such as Night and IMC whereas the NPPL doesn't.
Q Why should I learn to fly at Carlisle Flight Training?
A At Carlisle Flight Training we care about our customers and always strive to offer the highest standards of training and service. All the fully qualified, professional instructors here at CFT are permanent long term staff, who will take you right through your training and still be here for advice after you get your PPL. Our instructors teach because they want to and because they enjoy it; they aren't just building up flying hours at your expense for a year or so before leaving for an airline job. All our flying instructors are very experienced and have previously been approved by the RAF Central Flying School, for the M.O.D. Flying Scholarship Scheme.
Q Will I have the same instructor throughout my course?
A Generally yes, certainly until you reach solo flying standard, although an occasional flight with someone different towards the end of your training can be beneficial, remember though that instructors need holidays too.
Q What do I do after I've got my licence?
A Enjoy it! Initially you will probably just keep hiring the aircraft you learnt on, taking up your friends and family, (and it will be cheaper as you're not paying for an instructor) you might want to check-out on one of the other types of aircraft we have, or do some more advanced cross country flights, visiting further airfield, popular destinations include the Isle Of Man, Ireland, The Scottish Isles, many of which have excellent hotels next to the airfields, or even into Europe. You can also upgrade your licence to include extra ratings such as night flying and instrument flying. You could even buy your own aircraft!
Q How long will it take to get my licence?
A The average is probably a little less than a year, although it can be done in around a month or spread over several years, it just depends on the individual.
Q What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my lesson?
A There is always something useful you can do, learning to fly isn't just done in the aeroplane, understanding the weather is a very important part of the process.
Q Isn't learning to fly difficult?
A No, anyone can learn, we have had customers as young as 12 and as old as in their 80's.
Q Will I get my licence in the minimum hours?
A Possibly, it all depends on your ability, how regularly you fly and the weather.
Q Can I use my licence to travel for business?
AYes, if you're sick of congestion, traffic jams and delayed trains, you can hire one of our aircraft for business travel in exactly the same way you would hire a car. You or your business could even buy an aircraft if you travel a lot.
Q Can I charge people to go flying with me?
A Yes, but you are not allowed to make money, so if you take three friends flying, say to the Isle of Man to watch the T-T races for a day you can split the direct cost of the flight four ways and charge them a maximum of 25% each. You must always pay your own share.