JAR-PPL

As of the 1st July 1999 the Private Pilots License is subject to the rules of the 'Joint Aviation Authority', which now involves a syllabus totaling 45 hours of flying training.

After covering the basics of aircraft handling, average students will be ready for their first solo flight in 10 to 20 hours of flying. 'A once in a lifetime experience never to be forgotten'. They complete a take off and circuit of the airfield and then an approach and landing back onto the main runway.

A medical examination is required before the first solo flight. The local CAA approved medical examiner is Dr Brian McAvoy, 14 Waldron road, Broadstairs. If the weather is not suitable for the next planned exercise, the required 'Instrument Flying' can be introduced after the first solo flight.

Students then move onto other exercises completing dual training mixed with solo practice. Lessons include advanced turning, practiced forced landings and cross country flying, with a solo qualifying cross country flight to Shoreham Airport (near Brighton), landing at Lydd, Headcorn or Rochester on the way, and returning to Manston. Towards the end of the course students carry out any flying required to bring them up to the following minimum requirements:-

45 hours total flying
10 hours solo (including 5 hours solo cross country)
Instrument flying to the required standard
2 hours stall/spin awareness
The last flight of the course is a skill test with a club examiner covering all aspects of general handling, navigation and emergency procedures and some questions about the aircraft.

Slot times are one and a half hours which allows for a preflight briefing, followed by flying, generally of an hours duration from brakes off to brakes on.
To get the most out of each lesson ideally the student would have read up on the exercise before arriving.

The course contains a written Radio Telephony exam, a flight performed on an R/T simulator and 6 written examinations of the multi-choice variety consisting of:-

Aviation Law & Operational Procedures, Navigation and Radio Aids, Meteorology, Aircraft (General) and Principles of Flight, Flight Performance & Planning and Human Performance & Limitations. Classes are held on all ground school subjects. These are particularly helpful for those who find self-study difficult or impracticable and are also useful to meet fellow students. All books and equipment are available at the club. No flying experience is necessary before commencing the course and a trial lesson can be counted towards the 45 hours required.

The Licence
On completion of the course, successful students will receive the Private Pilot’s License, which will entitle them to fly for private purposes including the carriage of passengers who are allowed to share with the pilot the cost of the flight. The license remains valid for 5 years as long as a medical certificate is kept up to date. The single engine rating in the license is valid for 2 years and the pilot must carry out at least 3 take/off and landings every 90 days to be current and complete 12 hours of flight time, 6 of which must be in command, in the 12 months preceding the revalidation date. (that is, every two years).

The Training & Costs
The PPL training is conducted on the Club’s fleet of Cessna 152 aircraft, which are £155.00 per hour. The 45 hours required costs £6975.00 and there are about £240.00 of books and equipment needed for the course. Ground exam fees are only charged if a pass is gained, (R/T Oral excepted) and total £180.00. The skill test fee is £160 and the R/T written and oral exams are a total of £130.00, and there is approximately £55 of away landing fees. This comes to a total of around £7740.00. All these prices include VAT. The issue of license fee, payable to the CAA, is £176.00. To receive instruction you must be a member of the Thanet Flying Club. The annual subscription is £50.00 per year.

Training is available 7 days a week at the following times: - 9.00, 10.30, 12.00, 13.30, 15.00 and 16.30, and later by arrangement. If a cancellation were made we would ask that 48 hours notice be given to enable us to reallocate the slot. Last minute cancellation may incur a charge. After a Trial Flight normal lessons are hour duration, but please allow 30 minutes for a preflight briefing. Accommodation, if required, is also available in the nearby resort towns of Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs.

After Qualifying
We have touring aircraft available for hire on which PPL holders can become checked-out ready for those trips abroad or further a field in the U.K. - perhaps with the family or friends on board. Those pilots who may wish to extend their flying abilities can train for the IMC and Night Ratings. The Night Rating is useful in the winter months. If a pilot takes an aircraft away for the day and gets delayed it can be safely brought back at night without any problems. The Instrument Meteorology Conditions Rating (IMC) allows the holder to fly in cloud and instructs in the use of the radio navigation equipment in the aircraft making it easier to navigate around the country.

If you have any questions not answered here please come along to the Club for a coffee and a chat or even a Trial Lesson