Private Pilot Licence (PPL)

Flying Course Structure:

Minimum 40 hours of flying, to include a minimum of:

• 25 hours Dual Instruction
• 10 hours of Supervised solo flying - including the Qualifying Cross Country Navigation (QXC)
• PPL Skills Test

Exercise 1 to Exercise 11 (Basic Flying)

The course begins by introducing the fundamental principles of flight and effects of controls. You'll learn to safely climb, descend, turn and manoeuvre the aircraft with confidence before progressing to slow flight, stall recognition and recovery, and spin avoidance.

Exercise 12 & 13 (The Circuit)

Once you've mastered the fundamentals, you'll move on to circuit training. The circuit is where you'll learn to safely take off and land the aircraft. Each circuit consists of taking off, climbing away, flying a rectangular traffic pattern and returning to land on the same runway however instead of making a full stop landing you will perform a touch and go.

Rather than coming to a full stop, you'll carry out a touch-and-go—landing before applying full power and taking off again. This allows you to practise multiple take-offs and landings in a single lesson, building the consistency and confidence you need ahead of your first solo flight.

Exercise 14 (First Solo)

Once you have confidently mastered the circuit and passed the required theory exams it will be time for your first solo flight. Your instructor will first fly several circuits with you, before stepping out of the aircraft and allowing you to complete a circuit entirely on your own.

This will be your first flight in command of the aircraft.

Exercise 15 to Exercise 19

After completing your first solo, you will build further experience with solo circuit flying over the following lessons before progressing to more advanced exercises. These include advanced turning, forced landings without power, precautionary landings, and instrument appreciation.

You will then move on to Exercise 18: Navigation. Here you will learn how to safely navigate under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), developing the skills needed to fly solo from Shoreham to another airfield and return.

Once you are ready, you will complete your Qualifying Cross-Country (QXC) flight. This involves flying solo to two different aerodromes, landing at each, before returning to Shoreham.

The Skills Test

Once you have completed all nine theory exams and finished your flight training, you will take your Skills Test. This is the final stage of the course.

The test lasts approximately two hours and is flown with an examiner. During the flight, you will be asked to demonstrate the full range of skills you have developed throughout your training.

Once you have passed, you will be able to apply to the CAA for your PPL(A) licence, hire our aircraft, and take friends and family flying.

PPL Theoretical Knowledge Exams

There are 9 theory exams you must pass in order to obtain your licence, all of which can be completed in-house:

• Air Law
• Operational Procedures
• Human Performance & Limitations
• Meteorology
• Navigation
• Principles of Flight
• Aircraft General Knowledge
• Flight Planning & Performance
• Communications

Near the end of your PPL course there is also a practical Radiotelephony oral exam completed by our in-house FRTOL examiner.

Medical

While you can begin the PPL course without a medical, you must obtain a CAA Class 2, or Class 1 Medical in order to fly solo or be issued a licence. More information can be found on the CAA Website.

The Class 2 medical is sufficient to complete your PPL training and to exercise the privileges of your PPL once qualified. The Class 1 medical is needed only for commercial flying, such as flying for an airline.

If you are completing your PPL with the end goal of a commercial flying career then it is recommended that you obtain the Class 1 medical. This ensures that you meet the more stringent medical standards required for commercial pilots before investing significant time and money in your training. When an Aeromedical Examiner (AME) issues a Class 1 Medical, they will also issue a Class 2 Medical.

If you find you have medical issues which preclude the issue of either a Class 1 or Class 2 medical then you may still be eligible for a less restrictive LAPL Medical. This medical will allow you to obtain an NPPL licence and provides an alternative route into recreational flying.

How often do I need to fly?

The course is entirely at your own pace. However, we recommend flying once a week to maintain continuity and steady progress.

From the completion of your final theory exam, you have 24 months to pass your Skills Test and apply for your licence. In most cases, students complete their final theory exam towards the end of their flight training.

As a general guide, flying once a week typically means completing the course in 1–2 years. Flying more frequently, such as 3–4 times per week, can reduce this to as little as 3 months.

Why choose us for your PPL training?

• Instructor continuity - we will allocate you no more than 2 instructors for your course. This allows you to build a good relationship with your instructors and ensures good continuity between lessons.
• Blended online learning - we have a bespoke in-house learning platform to provide you with the study materials you need to pass the exams.
• Airline- style training from Day 1. Our instructors will develop the whole pilot, not just the hand flying skills. Integrated into the course are fundamental Threat and Error management principles and scenario based training events - arming you with the skills you need to deal with any scenario when flying alone.