The JAA (Joint Aviation Authority) PPL is a European licence which is internationally recognised and allows you to fly any single engine piston 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:
Air Law
Rules and Regulations needed for safe flying
Human Performance and Limitations (HPL)
Includes questions on perception, aircrew interaction and how flying affects your body
Meteorology
How weather works and the interpretation of forecasts.
Navigation
Charts, symbology, effects of wind.
Aircraft General
Technical about how engines, wings and aircraft systems work.
Aircraft Performance and Planning
Takeoff and landing distances. Take off weights and centre of gravity
Radio Telephony
Phonetic alphabet, special phraseology
There is also an R/T oral test and a final skill test; these again are taken with one of our examiners.