The EASA Private Pilot Licence Aeroplane PPL (A) permits you to act as pilot in command (PIC) in non-commercial operations on aeroplanes or touring motor glider (TMGs). This can be for the fun of flying or for a practical travel solution. PPL qualified pilots are able to hire or own aeroplanes and also continue training to commercial qualifications.

PPL (A) Course

If you don’t already hold a licence, you will need to complete 45 hours of flight instruction on aeroplanes, 5 hours of which may have been completed in an approved flight simulator (an FSTD – flight simulation training device), including at least:

1. 35 hours of dual flight instruction
2. 10 hours of supervised solo flight time, including at least 5 hours of solo cross country flight time with at least 1 cross country flight of at least 270 km (150 NM) that includes full stop landings at 2 aerodromes different from the departure aerodrome.

You will need to complete a skill test after you have completed all the flying requirements.

On completion of the course a PPL (A) holder will have:

• Flown a minimum of 45 hours flight training including 10 hours solo flight
• Obtained a Class 1 or Class 2 CAA medical certificate issued by an authorised medical examiner
• Completed a Radiotelephony/ RT Licence
• Passed nine theoretical / ground exams
• Completed a Solo Cross Country flight which involves landing at three different airfields
• Passed the final PPL Skills test
• Credits are available for holders of LAPL (A) and (S)

Training

Ground school training can be by self-study or arranged through our own instructor

Flight training will be on one of our excellent Fixed Wing aircraft based at Thruxton Airfield in the UK and Tampa in the USA.  Travel and accommodation options are available at both locations.

Pre-course requirements

PPL (A) applicants must be at least 16 years old to fly solo and at least 17 years old to hold a PPL (A) licence.

There is no maximum age for acquiring the PPL (H) licence.

Location

Flight training is available on our excellent fixed wing fleet and conducted from both Thruxton Airfield in the UK and in Tampa in the USA. We are able to provide accommodation and travel options at both locations.

The EASA Commercial Pilot Licence Aeroplane – CPL (A) permits an individual to fly an aeroplane for commercial employment. It is a high level of training that prepares pilots for all types of commercial work within the worldwide aviation industry. This course is particularly focused on developing aircraft captaincy skills.

CPL (A) Course

On completion of the course a CPL (A) holder will have:

• Flown a minimum of 25 hours dual flight training including 10 hours instrument instruction.
• At least 5 hours of the flight instruction must be completed in a 4-seat aeroplane with a variable pitch propeller and retractable landing gear.
• Complete at least 5 hours of night flight instruction, comprising 3 hours of dual instruction. This will include at least 1 hour of cross country navigation and 5 solo take-offs and 5 solo full stop landings.
• Passed thirteen theoretical / ground exams
• Passed the final flying skills test
• A variety of credits can be attributed to the course

Training

Ground school training in our purpose built classrooms in following subjects:

• Air Law
• Operations Procedures
• Aircraft General Knowledge (airframe/systems/power-plant)
• Aircraft General Knowledge – (instruments)
• Radio Navigation
• General Navigation
• Human Performance
• Meteorology
• Performance
• VFR Communications
• Mass and Balance
• Flight Planning & Monitoring
• Principles of Flight

All exams must be passed within 18 months of your first sitting. Only six sittings are permitted and if a subject is failed, a maximum of three resits is permitted.

Location

Flight training is available on our excellent fixed wing fleet and conducted from both Thruxton Airfield in the UK and in Tampa in the USA.  We are able to provide accommodation and travel options at both locations.

IR (A) Course

You will need an instrument rating attached to your licence if you want to fly under instrument flight rules. The instrument rating enables you to fly the aircraft solely with reference to the in-cockpit instrumentation. This means you will be able to fly in cloud and other circumstances of reduced visibility.

Training requirements will differ depending on the aircraft category and training route you take.

However, in all cases, you must fulfill the class or type rating requirements for the aircraft you take your CPL skill test on. For example, if you are taking the skill test on a multi-engine piston aeroplane (MEP) class, you must have met the relevant flight training requirements.

Flying training (single engine)

A single engine IR(A) course must include at least 50 hours instrument time under instruction, of which:

• up to 20 hours may be instrument ground time in a FNPT I
  or
• up to 35 hours in an FFS or FNPT II.  A maximum of 10 hours of FNPT II or an FFS instrument ground time may be conducted in a FNPT I

You must take a skill test in a single engine aeroplane at the end of your training course.

Flying training (multi-engine)

A multi-engine IR(A) course must include at least 55 hours instrument time under instruction, of which:

• up to 25 hours may be instrument ground time in a FNPT I
  or
• up to 40 hours in a FFS or FNPT II.  A maximum of 10 hours of FNPT II or an FFS instrument ground time may be conducted in a FNPT I

The remaining instrument flight instruction shall include at least 15 hours in multi-engine aeroplanes.

You must take a skill test in a multi-engine aeroplane at the end of your training course.

Flying training (single engine to multi-engine)

A course of at least 5 hours instruction in instrument flying in multi engine aeroplanes, of which up to 3 hours may be in a FFS or FNPT II.

As an approved training organisation (ATO) Vantage Aviation Ltd. can complete all theoretical exams and flight instruction.

Location

Flight training is available on our excellent fixed wing fleet and conducted from both Thruxton Airfield in the UK and in Tampa in the USA.  We are able to provide accommodation and travel options at both locations.

As an approved training organisation (ATO) we are licensed to instruct the following Type Rating courses:

• Single Pilot
• Multi Pilot
• Single Engine Piston
• Multi Engine Piston
• Initial Issue training and testing
• Re-validation and renewal

Location

Flight training is available on our excellent fixed wing fleet and conducted from both Thruxton Airfield in the UK and in Tampa in the USA.  We are able to provide accommodation and travel options at both locations.

Our specialist courses allow you to build experience with the world’s best and expand on PPL and CPL licenses from either the FAA or EASA.

Courses we offer include:

• Flying Instructor (FI) Courses
• Formation flying
• Aerobatic flying
• Tail-Dragger flying
• Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT)

Vantage Aviation’s range of specialist flight courses are provided by our qualified team of experienced flight instructors.  Our instructors have significant experience in all disciplines having been both Instructors and Examiners in each role.

All have unique skill sets that enable the courses to be delivered to the highest standard.

Location

Flight training is available on our excellent fixed wing fleet and conducted from both Thruxton Airfield in the UK and in Tampa in the USA.  We are able to provide accommodation and travel options at both locations.