To many people, learning to fly and obtaining a pilot's license seem to be something reserved for the rich and especially skillfull. This is a false impression. A private pilot license is within the reach of most Australians. The motor skills involved are the same as we use in driving a car, or sailing a boat; you do not need a University Degree to understand the theory, and the cost is about the same as the depreciation of a new car over three years.
 

What do I need to do to get a licence?
Training for the Private Pilot (Aeroplane) Licence has two practical flying training phases, with theory training running in parallel. For those seeking a career in aviation, the Commercial Licence training follows.


General Flying Progress Test
This is the end of the first stage of the training that in Mackay we usually conduct in our GAZELLE. You can tain in the Piper Warrior, but there is extra cost.

 

The minimum flying hours is 15 hours DUAL (with an instructor), and 5 hours SOLO (just you in the aeroplane), Most students take 30 to 35 hours to complete this test.

 

The first milestone is the FIRST SOLO flight, which usually occurs after 10-12 hours with one circuit and landing. That will be a day you will never forget. After consolidating the take-offs and landings with longer solo flights, some extra dual training will see you solo in the training area learning forced landings and steep turns. When you reach the required standard, your instructor will recommend you to the Chief Flying Instructor for the General Flying Progress Test. Successful completion allows you to carry passengers in the local area.

The Navigation Phase
Now you are ready to venture away from home base, and move up to the four seater Piper Warrior. A series of seven or more exercises, (2 of which are solo), will see you ranging over north Queensland, and landing on cattle stations, and other city airports such as Townsville and Rockhampton. This phase culminates in your Private License Flight Test that will permit you to fly almost anywhere in Australia. While the CASA minimum is 40 hours, most take about 55 hours to gain their PPL.

 

The Commercial Pilot License
Provided that you meet certain theory requirements by specific stages in your flying, you can gain your CPL with a minimum of 150 hours. The flying sequences are the same as for the PPL, but a higher standard must be achieved.

 

Theory
You guessed it - you can't get a licence by only doing the fun stuff... flying - there is also book work to do. You can undertake this part of the study through a full-time course, but at the moment, the nearest is Brisbane. We recommend that you purchase one of the commercially produced correspondence courses, (we can arrange supply) ,and if necessary, arrange private tuition from one of our instructors.

 

The theory stages to PPL are:

 

  •   Pre-solo air legislation exam (about 20 questions).
  •   Pre-area solo air legislation exam (about 20 questions).
  •   Basic Aeronautical Knowledge exam (set by Horizon - 3 hours).
  •   The PPL theory exam (3.5 hours - set by CASA, and conducted by Horizon).

 

The CPL theory examination (7 papers 3 hours each, set and conducted by CASA). A pass on the CPL exam also gives credit for the PPL exam.

 

What about the medical requirements?
If you are healthy with normal hearing, normal sight (may be corrected), and do not suffer from a heart condition or diabetes, you should have no problem in obtaining a Class 2 (private operations) medical certificate. The standards for a Class 1 Certificate(Commercial) are a bit higher, and the examination is more comprehensive.

 

You need to hold a Class 2 certificate before you can take a solo flight. We will provide you with a list of CASA approved medical examiners.

A local registered doctor is Dr. Andrew Gardiner at Lloyd Medical Centre, Brisbane Street, Mackay.

What will all this cost me?
Horizon Airways does not offer fixed price courses, as we believe that they create an expectation that the license will be given at the end of the course - whatever the standard! There is no up-front fee. Instead, you pay as you fly.

 

Exact costs are difficult to predict, as tuition is charged per flying hour and students progress at different rates. In the initial stages, the cost for a lesson will be $100 to $140.

 

Approximate all up costs are available on request.

 

Assumptions:

We have assumed a student of average ability, who flies at least once per week, and does not let the theory work fall behind the flying. It assumes the use of the cheapest aircraft. It also includes GST for GFPT and PPL. (Although GST is not payable on training, which leads to an essential qualification required for entry to a trade or profession, i.e. Commercial Pilot Licence - therefore students who intend to go through to CPL would not pay GST on GFPT and PPL training).

 

We also have a synthetic trainer that is approved for instrument flight training and instrument recency.

 

Horizon Airways also conducts training for the Night VFR Rating and the Private and Command Instrument Ratings using a combination of synthetic trainer and aircraft. Costs vary markedly, depending on proportion of synthetic trainer time and type of aircraft, but a definitive range is outlined below:

 

  •   Night VFR Rating $2,200 - $3,500
  •   Private Instrument Rating $3,500 - $5,000
  •   Command Instrument Rating Single $8,000 - $10,000;
  •   Twin Endorsements $2,500 - $3,000