Licensing Stages

There are several levels of licensing. How far you decide to go will depend on your ambitions and budget.




Getting Started

A Trial Instructional Flight is always a good place to start. You will learn about the controls of your plane, as well as get to try out flying the plane in a 30 minute flight. This is a great opportunity to see how you like flying!

Having completed a trial flight you may like to take advantage of a discounted start-up package.



Student Pilot Licence

Your student pilot licence is the first licence you have.

On this licence you will:

- Learn all aspects of flying an aircraft.
- Fly your first solo flight!
- Perform multiple sessions of solo take-off and landings.
- Perform a solo flight of at least one hour in the Sydney training area.

To fly your first solo you will need an aviation medical certificate. A current listing of medical examiners can be obtained from CASA's web site here.



General Flying Progress Test (GFPT)

CASA requires a minimum of 20 hours flying time before you can progress to the next licence, your GFPT licence. In practice most students need between 30-40 hours of flight training before they are ready to fly the GFPT licence text.

Having obtained your GFPT licence you are allowed to fly without an instructor within the Sydney training area that stretches from Picton, Warragamba, Prospect to Campbelltown.

With a GFPT licence you are also allowed to carry passengers on most of your solo and instructed flights. On these flights you are legally allowed to share the costs with your passengers, making your flying cheaper!



Private Pilot Licence (PPL)

To attain your private pilot licence you need to do approximately another 20-25 hours of instructed navigation. You will fly to places like Canberra, Orange, Maitland, Nowra, Goulburn and others as part of your training.

With your PPL you can fly anywhere in Australia, and most places in the world!

CASA requires a minimum of 40 hours total flying time before you can sit your PPL flight test. In practice most students need around 50-60 hours of flight training before they are ready to go for their PPL licence.

With your PPL you can legally share the aircraft costs equally with your passengers, making the cost of flying away on a trip more affordable!

To expand your options there are several endorsements and ratings that you can add to your Private Pilot Licence. These include a night rating, aerobatic rating, multi-engine rating, and others.

You can find out more in the Advanced Ratings section of this site.



Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)

A Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) is essential if you wish obtain work as a pilot.

Having said this many students with no aspirations of becoming a "commercial pilot" elect to obtain their CPL. There are a number of reasons why:

- GST free flying up to 150 hours, including recreational flying!
- Most of your flying as a Private Pilot can be put towards a CPL.
- Increased flying proficiency and knowledge, making you a better pilot.
- A number of advanced ratings can be included within the 150 hours.
- There is no set time period to obtain a CPL - do it at your own pace.

Whatever your motivation, a Commercial Pilot Licence is definitely something worth considering.

There are two paths to obtaining a CPL:

150 hour total time (70 pilot in command) - GST Free
200 hour total time (100 pilot in command)

To be entitled to undertake the 150 hour course you need to inform us of your intentions to train towards a CPL in the early hours of your training.

Students that have obtained their private pilot licence (PPL) often build the required 150 hours by exploring the countryside with friends and family, also by obtaining advanced ratings including a night rating, multi-engine rating, command instrument rating, aerobatic approval and others.

There are a total of seven theory examinations that need to be passed before you can take your flight test. Details can be found on the CASA web site - See Flight Crew Exam Info

If you have any questions feel free to contact one of our helpful instructors!



Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)

If you wish to fly as pilot-in-command of a multi-crew aircraft you will need to obtain an Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).

To obtain an ATPL you would undertake further theory study in advanced aerodynamics, air law, advanced navigation, human factors, performance and loading, flight planning and meteorology. You will need to pass a theory examination which consists of seven separate subject parts.

To be issued with the actual licence, you must have at least 1500 flying hours, with specified time as pilot in command. The licence also sets minimum requirements for cross country, night flying and instrument time.

For an ATPL Licence, you must hold or have held a Command Multi-Engine Instrument Rating.

For more information refer to the CASA web site - ATPL Exam Info


Questions?

Should you have any questions don't hesitate to contact one of our helpful instructors by email, phone, or by having a chat in person.


Next: Licensing Costs