The process for completing a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) in the UK involves several key steps regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Here’s an overview of the typical steps you’ll follow:

1. Meet Basic Eligibility Requirements

Before starting your PPL training, ensure you meet the basic criteria:

• Age: You must be 14 to start the training process but you must at least 17 years old to formally obtain your licence.
• Medical Fitness: You must pass a Class 2 Medical Examination with an approved medical examiner. The medical includes a basic health check to ensure you’re fit to fly.
• English Proficiency: You must be able to read, speak, and understand English to a certain level, as it’s the international language of aviation.

2. Come to Eglinton Flying Club

Select a CAA-approved flight school that offers PPL training. Eglinton Flying Club is a  Declared Training Organisation (DTO), and we have have instructors, aircraft, and facilities to guide you through your training.

3. Ground School

Eglinton Flying Club provides individual ground school briefings which provides the theoretical knowledge required for your PPL. Topics covered include:

• Air law and regulations
• Navigation (including charts, flight planning, and GPS)
• Meteorology (weather patterns and conditions)
• Aircraft technical knowledge
• Human performance (factors that affect pilots, such as fatigue and stress)
• Flight planning and safety You can take ground school as part of your flight training or as separate lessons. Some schools offer online ground school modules.

4. Flight Training

The core of your PPL is flight training, which involves practical lessons in the air. You must complete at least 45 hours of flight time, including:

• Dual flying (with an instructor): A minimum of 25 hours.
• Solo flying: At least 10 hours, including 5 hours of solo cross-country flying.
• Cross-country flight: You will need to undertake at least one solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles, including landings at two other aerodromes.

Flight training includes learning essential skills such as:

• Take-off, landing, and general handling of the aircraft
• Navigation, flight planning, and route management
• Emergency procedures and handling in-flight issues
• Radio communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC)

5. Pass the CAA Written Exams

You must pass a series of written exams on the subjects covered in ground school. These include:

• Air Law
• Aircraft General Knowledge
• Flight Performance and Planning
• Human Performance
• Meteorology
• Navigation
• Operational Procedures
• Principles of Flight
• Communications (written and Practical)
• The exams are multiple-choice and are administered by our approved Examiners.

6. Flight Test (Skills Test)

Once you’ve completed the required hours of flight training, you’ll need to pass a Skills Test with a CAA-approved examiner. This test involves:

• A practical demonstration of your flying ability, including handling the aircraft, navigation, and emergency procedures.
• The examiner will assess your overall proficiency in all areas of flight training.
• If you pass, the examiner will endorse your logbook, and you’ll be eligible for the PPL.

7. Application for the PPL

After passing your skills test, you’ll apply to the CAA for your PPL. The process involves submitting:

• Proof of your flight training hours.
• Your completed medical certificate.
• A recommendation from your instructor or examiner confirming that you’ve passed all the required tests and exams.
• Your flight logbook with evidence of your training and solo flights.

Once the CAA processes your application, you’ll receive your Private Pilot’s Licence.

8. Additional Ratings (Optional)

After obtaining your PPL, you can further your qualifications with additional ratings, such as:

• Night Rating: Allows you to fly after sunset.
• Instrument Rating (IR): Enables flying in less than ideal weather conditions, using instruments.
• Type Ratings: For flying specific types of aircraft. These are optional and may require additional training and flight time.

9. Maintaining Your Licence

Once you have your PPL, you must maintain currency and comply with the CAA’s requirements:

• Medical Certificate: You’ll need to maintain a valid medical certificate. A Class 2 medical certificate must be renewed every 5 years if you’re under 50, and every 2 years if you’re over 50.
• Flight Hours: Your licence is valid for 2 years. You need to have a minimum of 12 hours flying in the second year, including one hour with a club instructor to remain current.

Summary of Key Requirements:

• Minimum Flight Hours: 45 hours total, including 25 hours with an instructor and 10 hours solo.
• Written Exams: You must pass exams covering various aspects of aviation knowledge.
• Skills Test: A practical flight test with a CAA examiner.
• Medical Certificate: A Class 2 Medical.
• Age: You must be at least 17 years old to be granted your licence by the CAA.