PPL
PRIVATE PILOTS LICENCE
We have compiled the following information for you to read and help you to understand what is involved in getting a Private Pilots Licence. (note) from 1st January 2000 all regulations regarding licensing in Ireland will specified by the Joint Aviation Requirments Flight Crew Licensing (JAR-FCL) and to apply for a Flight Test the applicant must have undergone a minimum of 45 hours Flight Training at a Registered Training Facility (RTF).
Trial Flight:
The first thing is to take a trial flight, before which the instructor will walk you around the aircraft to brief you on all the surfaces and controls of the aircraft after which you will take a short fifteen to twenty minute flight.
Medical:
If you decide to go ahead with lessons then you must pass a JAR-FCL class 2 medical examination carried out by a specified doctor. The club will provide you with a medical form for this purpose.
Age Limit:
You must be over sixteen years of age to log time towards the minimum of forty-five hours needed to gain you PPL (Private Pilots Licence).
Log Book:
If you intend to continue the instruction you must get a logbook. This will record all the time you spend flying for each lesson, the earlier you do this the better.
Student Licence:
The Irish Aviation Authority require that a student must have "clocked up" some flying hours before they can apply for this, usually five hours flying.
First Solo:
Up to this time you will have flown with an instructor, when he/she thinks that you are ready they will let you take the aircraft for a short flight on your own. This is a significant day in your training.
Solo:
After the first Solo you will go on further solo flights building up to cross-country solo which will be about 150 miles long, stopping off at two other airfields enroute.
Cross Country Flight:
This usually starts with planning the flight, checking the headings, wind direction, speed and expected weather forecast. Eventually you will get to the point of doing a solo cross-country as previously mentioned.
Ground School:
Flying itself is all we have covered so far. The Irish Aviation Authority requires all pilots to undergo a set of written exams. To pass these you need to attend Ground School or Home Study see list of exams on the IAA website here . You need to pass all these exams within 12 months. Once all passed, you have 24 months to complete your training and undergo your flight test.
Flight Test:
When you have completed all the work so far and have a minimum of forty five hours of flying done the flying instructor will arrange for a Irish Aviation Authority Examiner to visit and take you out on a flight test. If you are successful you then gain a Private Pilots Licence which allows you to fly and carry friends with you but not for financial reward