YOU!
Flying is more accessible and more fun than ever. You will discover the world from a whole new perspective.
And one of the best things is that you’ll be flying from Day One under the helpful instruction of a CAA Approved flying instructor, who will teach you everything you need to know to be safe and to have fun.
Anyone in good health can qualify to become a pilot. In the case of the National Private Pilot Licence, your GP alone can certify that you're healthy enough to learn to fly.
Flying will connect you to exciting destinations. Trips to favourite places that were once too far to visit by car become easy day trips by air. You can easily see visit your children at University, friends in hard to reach places, exciting cities, great golf courses, beckoning beaches or quiet getaways. Learning to fly opens up a whole new world of travel; a world with the joy of flying and the camaraderie of fellow pilots. And it’s all there waiting for you.
Whatever your reasons for learning to fly, it’s easier than ever and you can learn to fly today.
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Yes. A well-built and well-maintained aircraft flown by a competent and prudent pilot is as safe or safer than many other forms of transportation.
If the engine stops, what will happen? Modern aircraft engines are reliable and failure rarely occurs. However, your lessons will cover what to do in this situation, including selecting a good landing area and safely landing.
When can I start? Right now. All you have to do is buy a Soloflight Flying Gift Card as an introductory lesson. You don’t have to have a student pilot’s certificate or a medical certificate to take flying lessons. Of course, you won’t be able to fly solo right away. That takes time and the paperwork described in this guide.
What's the right age?...Pilots wearing glasses?...Fit to Fly?...The minimum age to fly a powered aircraft solo, without being accompanied by a Qualified Instructor is 16 years. Many younger pilot students, often only 13 or 14 years old, receive Qualified Instruction whilst awaiting their 16th Birthday to record their First Solo Flight and the completion of their Private Pilot Licence.(PPL) All flight instructional hours are recorded in a Pilots Log Book which can be purchased from our shop. Whilst you can record all your hours flown with your instructor, you cannot count them towards the issue of your Licence until you have achieved 14 years of age. If you have completed all the requirements before you reach 17, your licence will be issued on your 17th Birthday. All hours, even as a passenger, count towards valuable Air Experience.
There are no upper age limits and many in their sixties are enthusiastically learning to fly. You only need remain fit to fly safely and maintain the currency of a simple medical examination, conducted by a local CAA approved Pilot Medical Examiner, typically every five years for under 40's and every two years up to your 50th birthday, thereafter annually.
If you require glasses it is usually sufficient to carry a spare pair.
If you are aiming for the NPPL, you can ask your GP to countersign your fitness declaration. Further details can be found at www.nppl.uk.com
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How difficult is the Flying Test and Ground Examinations? Pilot ground subjects embrace Meteorology, Navigation, Aviation Law, Human Performance & Limitations, Radiotelephony, Flight Planning and Aircraft General. The actual exams are "Multiple Choice" type answer papers which most candidates pass first time. The available interactive courses and reference books make interesting reading and contain many practice question and answer sections.
Instructor led ground school tuition is also readily available in house, on a "one-to-one" basis. Courses with a guaranteed pass scheme in all subjects are run regularly.
The academic requirements to gain a Private Pilot Licence are fairly undemanding.... actually ....the three basic requisites to becoming a competent Pilot are common sense, a desire to learn to fly and a willingness to stay within the boundaries of Flight Regulations and ability.
The General Skills Test is a straight forward demonstration of your airmanship and flying ability. This last flight of your course leads to the issue of your Private Pilot's Licence. The Navigational Flight Test is now part of the General and tests your ability to navigate a set route - it is of course taken only when your Instructor is happy that you can.
All ground school exams and Flight tests are conducted from our Soloflight location by our resident Civil Aviation Authority Flight and Ground Examiner.
How much does it cost? No-one pretends that flying lessons are cheap. The price you pay is based on an hourly flying rate usually taken from a "Hobbs" meter fitted to the aircraft and includes pre-flight briefings and de-briefings. Throughout the UK these rates are currently some £100 - £150 per hour and vary according to equipment on offer ie. two-seat trainer or four-seater. Four-seaters have a big advantage since they are no more difficult to fly than two-seaters and no further training is required at the end of your PPL course to become competent to fly them. They also allow you to fly three friends instead of only one. Since aircraft hire costs can legally be shared among flying friends, the four-seater is cheaper to fly than the two-seater.
In conclusion, your Pilots Licence will cost approximately £5,800 based on our 45 hour course including equipment. Your first objective is to fly Solo, say 15-20 hours at a cost of some £1950
How long does it take to qualify as a pilot? Continuity is the key. Many students have completed their Licence in less than a month with others earning theirs part-time over 12 months. The majority of Soloflight students complete their flying course within the 45 hour syllabus - the UK national average being some 75 hours.
The cheapest Licence is one which is achieved in the minimum time.......45 hours.
The Soloflight GUARANTEE OF QUALITY.
Subject only to a One Hour Assessment Flight with the Chief Flying Instructor, Soloflight will GUARANTEE your flying course in the minimum time.... OR WE PAY! YES.... UP TO 10 HOURS FREE FLYING TRAINING to ensure the completion of your full-time Pilot Licence Course.
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What type of aircraft will I fly? The aircraft you will fly is a modern Piper four-seater. Two four-seat twin-engine Diamond Diesel Twin Star (DA42) and a Piper Arrow (single engine retractable 4 seater) are also available for hire and advanced training.
Only a four-seat trainer allows you to bring your friends along on cross country flights whilst you are learning to fly.
Where do I fly to whilst training? Although initial flight training is conducted within some 50 miles of base, we frequently visit other UK airfields on cross-country navigation exercises. France, Belgium & Jersey are popular venues for lunch, with one student flying the outbound leg and another flying the return trip. Many students incorporate a business trip into their Pilot training, others with the intention of purchasing a company aircraft can experience the value of small aircraft in a company role.
Are there further opportunities for a newly qualified pilot? Having achieved your Private Pilot Licence (PPL) your training aircraft is available for you to hire and build up a little more flying experience with family and friends. You may then consider adding further Ratings to your Licence, such as the Night Rating, Instrument Rating, Multi-Engine Rating or even learn to fly Aerobatics.
Many Soloflight members have chosen careers in Aviation, some becoming Airline Pilots, Professional Instructors, RAF Pilots and Commercial Air Taxi Pilots. The route to gaining a professional Licence lies in building up your flying hours and experience.
What about using a private aircraft for business trips? Many UK Companies use light aircraft as very efficient management tools commuting regularly to both countryside and continental business venues.......truly, you can move your office around at 200 mph!
Now that Customs barriers between Britain and the rest of the Common Market have been abolished, you may fly yourself direct and closer to your destination from a vast choice of airfields throughout Europe. These smaller airfields can offer excellent facilities to the flying businessman, often equal to that found at the larger International Airports. Day-return Continental business flights are very common with high cost savings on Hotels and other expenses
Take an experienced "Buddy" while you build up experience. Many of our Pilot Students accompanied by a Qualified Instructor incorporate business trips into their training flights, often flying great distances affording early experience of route weather and radio navigation techniques.
Can I hire an aircraft now that I am a Qualified Pilot? Several different models may be hired from two to six seat, both Cessna and Piper. All we require is that you have a checkout with a Club Instructor for currency and Insurance requirements. You may take an aircraft away for a day or more whilst you only pay for the hourly flying charge. Click HERE for more details
.... can be found HERE. Be sure to download FoilSim II - With this software you can investigate how an aircraft wing produces lift by changing the values of different factors that affect lift.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it hard to learn to fly? No. People of all shapes and sizes, ages and abilities have learned to fly. It’s fun, and from the beginning of your training, you get to do most of the actual flying! On the practical side, while flying isn’t a difficult skill to learn, you’ll have to be willing to stick with it until you meet all the requirements. Also, you should consider the cost of becoming a pilot - you’ll have to pay for your medical examination and your lessons.
Is flying safe?