Frequently Asked Questions

We hope this page answers any common questions that have not already been addressed in the Learn to Fly section.

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Common Questions

Q: Who can learn to fly?
Q: Is learning to fly difficult?
Q: At what age can I start flying lessons?
Q: Am I too old to fly?
Q: If I have glasses or I'm colour blind - can I fly?
Q: How do I pay for flying lessons at Airborne Aviation?
Q: How much does it cost to learn to fly?
Q: How much does an average flying lesson cost?
Q: How long does it take to obtain a PPL or CPL?
Q: How long does a typical lesson last?
Q: Do you charge for ground briefings?
Q: How safe is it?
Q: I wish to obtain a Helicopter CPL, should I do fixed wing as well?
Q: Do you offer helicopter training?
Q: I want to buy my own aircraft, can you train me in it?
Q: How do I become an airline pilot?
Q: Do many women learn to fly aircraft?
Q: What can I do with a Private Pilot Licence?
Q: Is my licence recognised internationally?



Who can learn to fly?

Just about anyone that meets the Class 2 Medical requirements can learn to fly.

Details on medical examinations can be found on the CASA website.



Is learning to fly difficult?

Learning to fly is not overly difficult, a challenge similar to learning to drive a car. As with a drivers licence there are laws to obey and skills that need to be developed.

Flying skills and knowledge of air laws will be developed to the required level during training for a Private Pilot Licence.



At what age can I start flying lessons?

Strictly speaking you can commence pilot training at any age, as long as you can reach all the controls! We suggest that the earliest you should start lessons is 14 years of age.

Regardless of how early you commence training, you must be at least:

- 16 years old to fly your first solo flight, and GFPT (student) licence.
- 17 years old to fly to obtain a PPL.
- 18 years old to fly to obtain a CPL.



Am I too old to fly?

As long as you continue to pass your Class 2 medical exam, and remain healthy between examinations, there is no age restriction on a Private Pilot Licence.

Our oldest student to date is 83 years of age!

If you are not medically fit, or are uncomfortable about flying solo, you may wish to experience flight with our Fun Fly option. Fun Fly allows you to experience flying without the formalities of obtaining a licence.



If I have glasses or I'm colour blind - can I fly?

Yes and Yes!

With glasses the main requirement is that your vision can be corrected to near normal. You should also carry a spare pair of glasses while flying.

You can obtain a PPL or CPL in Australia and be colour blind, however your colour blindness may prevent you from gaining employment in some airlines.


How much does it cost to learn to fly?

See our Licensing Costs page.



How much does an average flying lesson cost?

Lessons during initial training include around 1 hour of flight time. This is charged at the training/dual rate.

When you start navigation training (post-GFPT) each lesson will go for approximately 2-3 hours, this is charged at the training/dual rate.

Rates for training/dual can be found on our Aircraft page.



How do I pay for flying lessons at Airborne Aviation?

Most of our students elect to pay as they go, however you can setup a pre-paid account if you wish. We accept all major credit cards, EFTPOS and cash.

Watch out for flying schools that insist on paying in advance. They may have cash flow problems or use enforced pre-payment to make it difficult for you to change schools if you are unsatisfied.



How long does it take to obtain a PPL or CPL?

The length of time it takes depends on how often you fly, your effort and commitment, as well as budget constraints.

If you undertake a lesson many times per week you could possibly earn your PPL in as little as a month or two, and your CPL in a few months. Such time frames require a huge commitment on your part and are typically not the best way to go about obtaining a licence.

Generally speaking if you do a lesson once or twice a fortnight you'll pickup things quicker than doing a lesson once a month. This is because there will be less to relearn each lesson, as you your last lesson will be fresh in your mind. The longer the break between lessons ultimately the more hours it will take you to obtain your licence.



How long does a typical lesson last?

During your initial training a typical lesson takes around 2 hours and includes:

- 30 minute theory session
- 10 minute pre-flight inspection
- 60 minute flight time
- 15 minute de-briefing

Navigation exercises later in your training will have flights lasting approximately 2-3 hours.



Do you charge for ground briefings?

Typically briefings are incorporated in to a flying lesson at no additional cost. However, should you require additional briefings on a particular topic it may attract a charge.

Most of our students do not require additional briefings.



How safe is it?

Flying is as safe as you make it.

How to fly safely, and to deal with the rare emergencies that are beyond the pilot's influence, are covered in your training.



I wish to obtain a Helicopter CPL, should I do fixed wing as well?

Definitely - it saves you money, and gives you added experience!

Check out our Helicopter CPL page.


Do you offer helicopter training?

We do not offer helicopter training - it's rare for a training organisations to offer both fixed wing and rotary training.

There are many helicopter schools out there - try Google.



I want to buy my own aircraft, can you train me in it?

Definitely, we can also give you some general advice on selecting a new or used aircraft.



How do I become an airline pilot?

The minimum entry requirements for each airline vary. Such requirements can be obtained from the airline you wish to apply with.

The minimum requirements are typically as follows:

- Commercial Pilot Licence.
- Multi-engine Command Instrument Rating
- Airline Transport Pilot Licence exam passes. (7 CASA exams)
- A set number of hours in certain types of aircraft, as defined by the airline.

Most pilots with airline ambitions find the quickest way to gain employment and build hours is to obtain a Flight Instructor Rating, then teach people how to fly!

At Airborne Aviation we can help you achieve your Commercial Pilot Licence, Multi-engine Command Instrument Rating and Flight Instructor Rating in 200 hours.

It is also possible to build hours doing flying other than flight instruction. Charter flying (passenger & freight) and agricultural flying are avenues that can be pursued with a CPL alone, however these jobs are typically more difficult to obtain than flying instruction and reap less hours per year.



Do many women learn to fly aircraft?

While the it is true that the majority of people learning to fly are male, there is an increasing number of women in aviation these days.

The Australian Women Pilots' Association aims to encourage and assist women achieve their goals in aviation.

We have a number of women flying at Airborne Aviation, and in recent times have had female flying instructors on staff.



What can I do with a Private Pilot Licence?

Fly anywhere in Australia in any aircraft you are rated on.

You can obtain various ratings and endorsements on top of your PPL.
(ie. Night VFR, Instrument Rating, Multi-engine, Aerobatics, CSU/Retract)

You cannot fly for reward, in other words get paid, with a private licence. To do this you need to obtain a Commercial Pilot Licence.



Is my licence recognised internationally?

Whether you have a PPL or CPL, Australia is an ICAO member state and as such your licence is recognised internationally.

As with holders of foreign pilots licences in Australia, when you visit or move to another country you will most probably need to obtain a validation or conversion.