Learn to Fly

Private Pilot’s Licence (Fixed Wing)

A Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) is the entry level pilot’s qualification and allows you to fly an aircraft anywhere in New Zealand and carry your friends as passengers.

To gain a PPL you will need to acquire particular flying skills, complete a certain amount of flight time, pass theory exams and undergo a practical flight test. You must also have passed an aviation medical examination.

The full list of requirements to achieve your Private Pilots Licence includes:

• Passing examinations in six subjects
• Passing an English Proficiency assessment
• Passing a flight test which will include all normal and emergency flight manoeuvres
• This will also include a test on your ability to comply with Air Traffic Services practices and procedures

You must also complete at least 50 hours total flight time of which:

• 15 hours must be dual instruction
• 15 hours must be solo flight time
• 5 hours must be instrument flight time (2 may be in an approved Flight Simulator)
• 5 hours of terrain and weather awareness training
• 10 hours cross-country navigation training.

Note: You may not operate an aircraft for hire or reward without achieving your Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL)

Lessons

Lessons are generally 90 minutes long, and consist of:

• Pre-flight briefing (25 mins)
• Flying the exercise (45 mins average)
• Post flight de-briefing (15 mins)

Lessons are charged by the hour for the type of aircraft you are operating, and there are different rates for flights with an instructor (dual) or just yourself (solo). Note other applicable fees may apply depending on the lesson (e.g. landing fees).

As the instructors time can be limited you should arrive at the club in good time and prepared for the lesson.

Theory Exams

The six theory exams that are part of the syllabus are set at about the level of high school exams. A score of at least 70% is required for a pass in any subject. You can study for the exams on your own, using New Zealand textbooks.

The exams are:

• Flight Radio Telephony
• Air Law
• Aircraft Technical Knowledge
• Human factors
• Meteorology (Weather)
• Air Navigation and Flight Planning

PPL exams are held by ASPEQ. Once you register for each subject, exam papers are sent to a nominated exam centre for you to go and sit. See https://www.aspeq.com/ for details.

Any incorrect answers in the exams are noted as ‘knowledge deficiency reports’ (KDRs). Before you sit your flight test you must have demonstrated to a flying instructor that your knowledge of these aspects of the subject have improved.

Medical

To qualify for a PPL pilots must pass a class 2 aviation medical conducted by a CAA authorised medical practitioner. You can see a current list authorised medical examiners (AMEs) at the CAA website.

Alternatively you can apply to your own General Practitioner for a New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Medical Certificate- for Class 2, 3, 4 or 5 Driver Licence, with passenger endorsement. This will allow you to complete your flight training but imposes some restrictions. Please talk to us about this option.

Providing you continue to meet the legal medical requirements, there is no upper age limit for holding a PPL.

Ready to get started?

If you are ready to start working towards your PPL, give us a call on 04 902 6536 or visit our clubrooms where one of our staff will be more than happy to discuss your training in more detail.

You can also choose from our Flying Start packages: