PPL - Private Pilot's Licence

NPPL - National PPL

IMC - Instrument Meteorological Rating

Night Qualification

CPL - Commercial Pilot's Licence


PPL - Private Pilot's Licence
A Private Pilot's Licence (PPL) is the basic qualification for a pilot to be able to fly as pilot-in-command (PIC).  To obtain a PPL you must complete a course of training - which is approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and JAA.

The syllabus for the course that we offer is designed by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and approved by the JAA.  The flying training is carried out on our Cessna or Piper aircraft and to qualify for the issue of a licence you must have completed:

    * A minimum of 45 hours total flight time which will comprise:
    * 25 hours of dual instruction, including 4 hours of pilot navigation and 2 hours of stall / spin awareness training
    * 10 hours as Pilot-in-command (i.e. solo flying), 5 hours of which is pilot navigation
    * A skill test

In addition to the flight training, it is desirable for you to attend at least 20 hours of ground lectures and you must pass basic multiple choice written exams in Aviation Law, Navigation, Flight Performance, Meteorology, Human Performance and Aircraft Technical (General).  There is also an oral test as part of the skill test on the specific aircraft type, as well as training and a test for an R/T licence.  All flight tests and written examinations can be undertaken with our resident examiners.

Weather permitting, the course can be completed in as little as 4-6 weeks of concentrated flying.  For those who have other commitments or who may wish to spread the cost, it can take as long as you wish; we would recommend, however, that you aim to achieve reasonable continuity in your flying.

You do not have to be Superman / woman to fly an aeroplane!  You should, however, be free from any serious physical or mental disability, have good vision in both eyes (the wearing of corrective spectacles is not a bar) and have normal hearing.  Prior to your first solo flight you will need to obtain an aircrew medical certificate.  There is an authorised CAA medical officer at Exeter Airport who can conduct your medical examination.

We deliberately do not quote a specific price for a PPL course because some people may require more than the minimum of 45 hours flying.  For budgeting purposes however, you should allow approximately £7,000 (inc. VAT) to cover the cost of flying and associated tests, ground instruction (self-study is an option), examinations and the necessary publications.

Please ask at reception about any current discount schemes available to student pilots.  We ask PPL students to pay their invoice after each flight.

For your PPL to remain current, it must be revalidated every 24 months by means of either:

    * Certificate of Experience (minimum of 12 hours total in last 12 months), or
    * Proficiency Test (a flight test flown with an examiner)

Both methods of revalidation can be completed "in house".



NPPL - National PPL
The National Private Pilot's Licence was introduced, following the change to the JAR (European) pilot's licence, for those pilots who were happy to accept a licence with slightly restricted privileges in exchange for a reduction in the training and medical requirements.  The holder of a NPPL is restricted to flying simple single engine aircraft with a maximum take off weight of 2000 kg, which includes most light aircraft.  The licence is also restricted to flights by day under Visual Flight Rules, with a minimum visibility of 5 km and with a maximum of three passengers (plus the pilot).  An upgrade is available to a JAR-PPL licence and additional training will allow pilots to fly complex aircraft and to fly in IMC / or at night.

The syllabus of training, which has been formulated by AOPA, is essentially the same as that for the JAR-PPL licence but with some exercises omitted as the licence privileges render them unnecessary.  All the training is carried out on the Club's training fleet of aircraft and all the examinations and flight tests can be completed in house.  The nominal minimum requirements are:

    * Complete a minimum of 32 hours flight training of which at least 10 hours must have been solo and 22 hours must have been dual instruction
    * Pass a total of seven written examinations (Note: Initially the JAR examinations are being used for this test of knowledge but it is anticipated that separate NPPL examinations will be produced in due course.  Passes in the JAR exams will be a prerequisite for upgrading to a JAR licence, later)  These examinations must all be completed within a time frame of 18 months but thereafter they remain valid for a period of 24 months.  Written examinations must all be passed before sitting the skill test
    * Complete navigation and general handling flight tests.  There is a six month time frame for the general handling flight test after completion of the course.

In order to complete the written examinations most student pilots require approximately 20 hours of ground training.  This can be self study, one to one private lectures, or attendance at the regular Ground Training classes held in the Club house.

If a student pilot attends on a weekly basis, the training will take about one year when allowing for bad weather days.  A full time student could probably complete the course within six weeks.  It must be remembered that the training requirements are minimum requirements and students will be required to reach an appropriate standard of skill and knowledge.

NPPL candidates must be able to pass a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Group 1 medical for solo flight, for passenger carrying they require a certificate of fitness from their own GP equivalent to a DVLA Group 2 medical standard (this is the HGV standard).

Candidates must be at least 16 in order to fly solo, so dual training can start earlier.  The licence however, can not be issued until the applicant is 17 years of age and over.

The NPPL will be valid for the lifetime of the holder.  The associated SSEA Rating will remain valid as long as the holder maintains 6 hours flying in the previous 12 months and completes an instructional flight of at least 1 hour in the previous 24 months, alternatively a Skill Test in the previous 12 months.

It is impossible to calculate the precise cost of the NPPL as all students have different requirements however estimates indicate that it should be approximately one thousand pounds less expensive than the JAR PPL.  Additionally the medical is also less expensive.  Students can opt to pay as they go, or to deposit funds with the Club and fly against that credit.  There are price savings available for people who opt for this system.  Details are available from reception.



IMC - Instrument Meteorological Rating
The IMC course is a natural step forward for those who have qualified for their Private Pilots Licence.  It permits pilots to fly safely in poor weather conditions, although the real purpose is to ensure that a flight may safely continue should the pilot inadvertently encounter bad weather conditions en-route.

Before applying for your IMC rating you must have flown a minimum of 25 hours after you have obtained your PPL, of which 10 hours must be PIC, to include 5 hours solo navigation and 15 hours dual instruction of which 10 hours are by sole reference to instruments during the course.

The course requires a minimum of 15 hours with an instructor followed by a flight test, lasting approximately an hour and a quarter.  The course commences with training in general handling of the aircraft with sole reference to the instruments by use of screens covering the windows or special goggles.  The student will be taught to recover from unusual attitudes, to straight and level flight using the full panel of instruments, before progressing to recovery with limited panel.  Tracking to and from VOR and NDB facilities, develops the skills needed to carry out procedural approaches, which will include holding, together with NDB and ILS (Instrument Landing System) approaches allowing you to fly down to 500 feet above the airfield to clear cloud, with a minimum of 1800 meters in-flight visibility.

There is one ground exam to take for the course which is multiple choice.  This tests your knowledge about the theory of radio aids and your ability to apply them practically, and it also includes flight planning on IFR.

Night Flying Qualification
If you have not flown with the stars before, now is your opportunity!  Exeter FLYING Club begins this year’s Night Ratings on Monday 26th October by appointment only. (These hours are in addition to the PPL requirement).To gain your rating you will require a minimum of 5 hours flights of which 3 hours dual training of which 1 hr is a dual night navigation sortie and 5 take offs and full stop landings at night as pilot in command

Night Revalidation

For those who have already enjoyed the delights of Night Flying.  Having a check flight with an instructor will give you the night take off and landing required.  Together with 2 take offs and landings in the previous 90 days entitles you to fly passengers at night.



CPL - Commercial Pilot's Licence
Modular Training - The aim of the CPL course is to train a PPL(A) holder to the level of proficiency necessary for the issue of a CPL(A).

This course is designed for applicants who do not wish to undertake a full time course of integrated training or who wish to stagger their training by completing approved “modules” of approved training over a period of time, i.e. instrument rating course, Multi-Crew Co-operation Course (MCC), ATPL theoretical knowledge instruction etc.

The course consists of a minimum of 25 hours of flying training and 200 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction for CPL(A) and 650 hours theoretical knowledge instruction for ATPL(A).

Training Requirements - The holder of a PPL(A) issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 1 (excluding the NPPL) with at least 150 hours flight time as a pilot, may commence an approved JAR CPL(A) Modular Course consisting of 25 hours dual flight instruction including 10 hours of instrument instruction (up to 5 hours may be instrument ground time in a BITD or a FNPT I or II or a flight simulator).  At least 5 hours of the flight instruction shall be carried out in a complex aeroplane (certificated for the carriage of at least four persons and have a variable pitch propeller and retractable landing gear).

Applicants with a valid JAR-FCL or ICAO Instrument Rating (Aeroplane) shall be given at least 15 hours dual visual flight instruction, and shall be fully credited towards the dual instrument instruction time.  The same credit may be given to applicants who have completed an IR(A) modular course of training and passed IR(A) skill test but who have yet to apply for the issue of the IR(A), provided the IR(A) course and JAR CPL(A) modular course are conducted independent of each other, and that there is no training overlap between the two courses.

An applicant who does not already hold a Night Qualification/Rating (Aeroplane) shall be given additionally at least 5 hours night flight instruction.

Experience - Flying completed on the course may be counted towards meeting the flying experience requirements for licence issue as detailed below:

An applicant for a JAR-FCL CPL(A) must have completed a minimum of 200 hours of flight time, including the particular requirements specified below:

    * 100 hours as Pilot-in-Command, or 70 hours as Pilot-in-Command if completed during a course of integrated flying training
    * 20 hours of VFR cross-country flight time as Pilot-in-Command, including a cross-country flight totalling at least 540 km (300 nm) in the course of which full-stop landings at two aerodromes different from the aerodromes of departure shall be made
    * 10 hours of instrument dual instruction time (for applicants without an IR), of which not more that 5 hours is to be instrument ground time (in a FNPT I or II or a Flight Simulator)
    * 5 hours Night Flying comprising of at least 3 hours of dual instruction, including at least 1 hour of cross-country navigation, and 5 solo take-offs and full-stop landings