SEE PHOTOS


Harmony LSA (5)
Date: 19 Jul 2010



SportStar MAX (17)
Date: 19 Jul 2010



SportStar RTC (3)
Date: 19 Jul 2010

LEARNING TO FLY
Start here!
Learning in a SportStar
Light Sport Flying in Australia
Pilot Licensing Details
Flying for non-pilot partners
Picking an Aircraft

Here’s a simple process to follow:

Step 1

Consider the time commitment and your budget. You can qualify for a recreational pilot license in about 30 hours of flying and 10-12 hours of ground school. Costs vary enormously and depend on location and aircraft type. Budget for at least $5,000 for a recreational license that will allow you to travel cross-country and carry a passenger with you. (As a comparison, if you want to go for a full, ‘General Aviation’ Private Pilot License – PPL – you’ll need to budget at least twice as much).

Step 2

Ideally draw up a short list of 2-3 schools reasonably near you*. Visit them all and discuss your training, how long it is likely to take and how much it is likely to cost. Many schools will give a discount if you book ‘blocks’ of training time in advance.

Click here for a list of recreational aviation flying schools, or try here for a list of more general aviation flying schools and clubs.

(* If there isn’t a school or club reasonably near to you that you can easily visit, maybe consider an intensive semi-residential training programme. Many schools and clubs offer these and the cost of travel and accommodation can often be recouped by not having to spend lessons catching up with where you’d got to a couple of weeks previously.)


Step 3

Arrange with each of your short listed schools to take you for a Trial Instruction Flight (often known as a ‘TIF’). This is a good first step, as you might find that flying in a small light aircraft is not really for you – although for most people, it simply confirms their desire to fly! During a TIF, under the guidance of your instructor, you will be able to try the flight controls and experience what’s involved in taking-off and landing the aircraft.

Step 4

Crucial to your future enjoyment as a pilot: carefully choose your school/club and instructor. Like all aspects of life, one person’s meat is another’s poison. So it is with flying schools and instructors – you need to find one that suits you, not necessarily one that suits your friends or colleagues.

Here are a few pointers:

  • Is the school properly registered and licensed as a school?
  • Is the training aircraft well-kept, clean and pleasant to be in?
  • Is the school (and instructor) professional and friendly?
  • Is the training room(s) clean & tidy, well lighted and ventilated?
  • What do other students and pilots say about the school?

As a general rule, if something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. Don’t be afraid of looking round if you don’t feel comfortable.

Step 5

Confirm your choice and start flying!