FIRST SOLO

Initial training takes you to a stage where you are capable of flying a simple circuit pattern. That is take-off, fly around the aerodrome and come back and land, by yourself. A short theory exam is involved before you go solo. This 'First Solo' is something you will remember for the rest of your flying career and indeed your lifetime. Ask any Qantas Captain, or Jet Pilot, and I'm SURE they'll tell you they still remember their solo vividly.

After you have passed the BAK exam and have had the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) minimum requirement of 20 flying hours experience, you can sit for the GFPT test. Passing this test allows you to carry passengers. That is someone other than a flight instructor. You can take-off and fly within the training area of the aerodrome or within 10 nautical miles radius of the aerodrome you departed from. You may only land at the aerodrome you departed from. You are now well on your way to obtaining a Private Pilot's Licence.

This is a qualification that you should be aiming for from the start of your training. The PPL(A) entitles you to fly an Australian registered aircraft almost anywhere in Australia and to fly an Australian registered aircraft round the world, if you choose. Training for this is conducted in a Cessna C-172 type aircraft, a four seat aircraft more suited to the Navigation phase of training. The PPL(A) phase of training covers the navigation component, including safe operation in controlled airspace. CASA requires an additional 20 hours minimum navigation experience for the PPL(A), however the average is more like 27-30 hours for the vast majority of students. The PPL(A) allows you to use your training in a truly practical sense, (imagine visiting Aunt Mary in Dubbo via air instead of battling the road traffic). It also opens the door to other ratings, endorsements and enhancement of your skills, such as night flying, tail wheel aircraft endorsement, aerobatics, retractable undercarriage etc. In conjuction with the Central Coast Aero Club we have flyouts to other aerodromes a few times a year, enabling you to see this vast continent of ours, meet other pilots, and generally enjoy your new-found skills. There's nothing quite as much fun as meeting other avaition enthusiasts from all around Australia in a social situation. (From the writer's personal experience it is also perfectly acceptable to tell lies during these social encounters.)

This licence enables you to be paid for flying aircraft. Do not, however, believe that it will guarantee you a job in the aviation industry, as usually it will not. The CPL requires a minimum of 150 hours if you complete an integrated course or 200 hours if you choose to go at your own pace. Most pilots need more than the 150 hours, the average is close to 200.