What is required to achieve a PPL or CPL?
The first part of the PPL takes you to the General Flying Progress Test (GFPT). This normally takes about 35 hours, and at this point you can take other people flying with you, but in a limited area.
You then complete around 20 hours of cross-country navigation training to obtain your full Private Pilot Licence (PPL).
A PPL requires a minimum of 40 hours flying experience. You need to pass three three theory exams, and a flight test.
A CPL requires a minimum of 150 hours experience, with four theory exams and two flight tests. The PPL actually makes up the first part of the CPL.
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How long does it take to achieve a PPL or CPL?
Part time - CPL around 2 years, PPL about 18 months.
Cull time - CPL around 8 months, PPL around 8 weeks.
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How much does it cost to achieve a PPL/CPL?
PPL between $8,000 and $10,000 - depending on how quickly you learn, how often you fly etc. Once you have the licence you have it for the rest of your life - so it's a one-off expense!
A CPL will cost a minimum of $25,000, but it will be very hard to get a job with just a bare CPL. You really need to look at additional qualifications on top of your CPL, so a minimum of around $40,000 is more realistic. This is quite comparable to a lot of tertiary education nowadays. Even going to University and incurring debt under HECS will cost a minimum of $20,000!
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What type of aircraft do we do our initial training in?
Initial training is normally conducted in our brand new Tecnam JF aircraft, and we then move you into the more advanced Tobago aircraft for your cross country flying.
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Full time / part time differences.
Full time allows you to integrate your flying and theory much more easily. It can be quite a challenge to arrange all your theory on a part time basis, and sometimes it may not be available at all and you will have to self study.
Additionally, your flying can take longer than you like when studying part time as you have very limited days on which to fly. If the weather is bad on the day you are supposed to fly you may have to wait another week before going flying.
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How many hours do I need to do?
PPL - minimum 40, but a more realistic average is around 55. The first stage of the PPL, called the GFPT generally takes around 35 hours.
CPL - minimum 150.
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When can I fly? What about bookings - how far in advance for weekends?
Basair is open 7 days a week, so you can fly any time.
We suggest booking at least 7 days ahead to get a booking on the weekend, and a little less for flights during the week.
We're happy to make a regular ongoing booking for you if you'd like to fly at the same time each week.
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What is the cost if I wanted to buy an aircraft?
A 4 seat touring aircraft will cost around $70,000 to $80,000 for a good quality second hand aircraft.
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What requirements do I need to learn to fly?
Minimum age is 17 years to hold a PPL, 18 years to hold a CPL.
You can start flying earlier - with the main limit that you cannot go solo until you have reached the age of 16. We have plenty of people who start learning to fly at 16!
There is no specific schooling required - people who learn to fly come from all sorts of backgrounds, with all sorts of schooling.
There is no requirement to hold a Degree or other tertiary qualification to become a Commercial Pilot. Piloting is based around practical skills, rather than educational background.
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An aviation career - school subjects that I should do.
The major airlines like to see you study Mathematics, Physics and English. You do not need to study high levels of these subjects - just a good average level is fine.
Even if you have left school and haven't completed these subject all is not lost! There are bridging courses available specifically for pilots.
Also - remember these are only requirements for the major airlines, and the smaller airlines rarely have such requirements.
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Do you arrange finance?
Not directly, but we can put you in touch with a Finance Broker who is very good at arranging excellent deals. He knows all about Basair and our courses, so he is aware of what your requirements will be.
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What to do for an overseas licence conversion.
This depends on whether you want to covert the full licence, or just get a validation to fly in Australia while on holidays.
For the validation you need to take your licence and logbook to CASA (just over the road from us). They will give you a Certificate of Validation that allows you to fly in Australia on your overseas licence. You will need to do some flying with an instructor to ensure you are familiar with procedures etc., but there is no theory exam involved.
To gain the full Australian licence, you will need to pass the theory exam for that licence, then undertake training to reach the required standard and pass the flight test. You must also meet the minimum experience levels required for our licences. You will also need to undertake an Australian medical examination.
Lots more information is available here.
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How long until solo?
12-17 hours is average, but remember that the time it takes to go solo is no measure of how good a pilot you are, or will be!
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Advantages of a full time Diploma or Advanced Diploma course? What is involved?
The course is fully integrated flying and theory.
There is also additional flying and theory involved, providing you with better employment prospects on completion.
It is easier to complete the Diploma course in a fixed time since we can rearrange our entire schedule around weather delays.
Diploma (and Advanced Diploma) course candidates are eligible for AUSTUDY or other Government assistance since these courses are fully Government recognised (for Australian students).
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What are the privileges of PPL/CPL?
PPL - you can fly anywhere in Australia carrying passengers, but you cannot be paid for your flying. You can share the cost of hiring the aircraft. Restrictions are: daylight hours only and fair weather.
CPL - you can fly anywhere in Australia carrying passengers, and you can be paid for your flying. You can share the cost of hiring the aircraft. Restrictions are: daylight hours only and fair weather.
Both the PPL and CPL can be extended to include night flying, and an Instrument rating that allows you to fly in bad weather.
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Is it hard to get a job in aviation?
No - not as long as you have the right attitude and expectations. You must also be willing to put in some hard work - aviation is not an industry that provides an easy path to a high paying job. The high paying jobs are there - but it's a fairly rocky path!
You must be willing to move to where the work is, and to accept that the industry operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Like any career - you cannot expect to walk straight from a training course into the top jobs - you will need to start at the bottom and work your way up.
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How long is each flight?
It varies - during your initial training each flight is around 1 hour long. When we move onto navigation training each flight is around 2 or 3 hours long.
Don't forget - before each lesson we give you a thorough ground briefing, and then de-brief you when you get back. Your early lessons will generally take around 2 or 3 hours to complete allowing for a 1 hour flight and then ground work.
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Do you do a ground lesson (briefing) before each flight?
Yes - this is probably the most important part of the lesson! It is not possible for you to learn if you don't know what the lesson is about. It will take you much longer to learn to fly if you don't do briefings - so it is a false economy to cut them out!
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Do you have to pay up front?
No - you are most welcome to pay as you go. A lot of people pay installments into an account to provide the convenience of not having to pay each time they fly - but the choice is entirely up to you.
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Can I wear glasses and still fly?
Yes you can wear glasses and still fly as long as you wear your glasses while you are flying. In fact some of our instructors wear glasses.
The main requirement with eyesight is that your vision can be corrected to near normal vision. We can put you in touch with a specialist Doctor if you have any questions.
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Can I be colour blind and still fly?
You can fly to a PPL level license with colour blindness.
Australia was also the first country to allow you to be colour blind and still get a Commercial Licence - so there are now career options for colour blind pilots. Keep in mind that this will probably be an obstacle to employment with the major airlines, however there are many other career opportunities.
Each case is different, so this is one condition that requires the advice of an aviation medicine expert.
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How much will each lesson cost me?
Depending on which aircraft you choose to fly in, most people begin in a Tecnam JF which is around $180 per hour with the instructor.
We also provide a package of ground briefings where you prepay them and receive a sizeable discount. This package also includes your logbook, as well as a training manual used during your briefings.
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How often should I fly?
As often as possible to keep your information intake fresh in your mind, but not so it becomes a burden of cost to you.
We suggest you fly a minimum of once every two weeks, and you'll notice a drastic improvement if you can fly every week.
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Will I have my own instructor?
Yes, at BASAIR we assign you an instructor and a back up instructor, to ensure you fly with the same instructor all the time, so that the person flying with you knows what level you are up to.
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Who does the flight test?
The testing is done by a Authorised Testing Office who is authorised by CASA or by our Chief Flying Instructor depending on the level that the student is up to.
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What theory is involved?
For the GFPT there is one theory course to study outside your normal flying lessons. You can self study this theory although we do not recommend it.
For the PPL there is one course to do to give you the required navigation and procedures knowledge before you start your training. You can self study this theory although we do not recommend it.
The CPL requires a fairly intensive theory course to be done, which is normally done full time over about 10 weeks. If you are very disciplined you can self study this course.
Basair runs theory for all levels of licences, so you will not have to study on your own.
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Is there much homework?
For the PPL not really. Around 1 hour of study between lessons is normally more than enough.
The CPL does require more dedication to study, but this is worked into a study schedule for you.
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How much does it cost to hire an aircraft once I have my licence?
Refer to our current rental rates on our price list.
When you hire an aircraft - you only pay for the time the engine is running, not for the total time that you have the aircraft hired.
Also, once you have your PPL you can share the cost of the aircraft hire evenly amongst those on board - meaning it can be a very affordable way of travelling - with a spectacular view!
Full details of our rates can be found at http://www.basair.com.au/rates.shtml
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What is a "Carrier Wave" that I hear mentioned on the radio?
The field of electric & electromagnetic energy wich carries the intelligence of a radio signal is called a carrier wave.The frequency of this carrier wave may be only a few hundred kilohertz or several thousand megahertz.It is usually in the radio frequency (RF) range,which is in excess of 20000Hz.
Frequencies below 20000Hz, which are audible, are in the audio frequency (AF) range.
In order to carry intelligence, an RF carrier wave must be modulated.This means that it's form & characteristics are changed by means of some type of signal impressed upon it. An RF carrier wave which has been modulated in amplitude is called an amplitude modulated (AM) signal. If a voice signal is impressed upon a carrier, the modulation curve will follow the pattern of the voice frequencies.
Frequency modulation can be used in the VHF range & above. This type of modulation, commonly called FM, provides a signal that is much less affected by interference than amplitude modulation. As indicated by the name, frequency modulation is accomplished by varying the frequency of the carrier wave in accordance with the audio signal desired.
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