Part Time Course Summary

Part time courses are an excellent option for people who cannot commit to a Monday to Friday schedule.

Part time students follow the same flying lesson plan as full time students - as the curriculum has been designed for the most effective learning.

How to Get Started?

If you are thinking of learning to fly, then there are several ways to get started;

• Book a Trial Introductory Flight (TIF) or learn more about other introductory offers.
• Request an Information Pack - It will be posted to you.
• Check out the Approximate Costs

Want to learn more?

If you are thinking about undertaking a licence through part time study, there are 3 key components of your study you need to consider;

• Flying curriculum
• Theory
• Qualification Level
• Find out the Approximate Costs

Flying Curriculum

Basair Aviation College has an excellent flying curriculum.  We use a "competency based" methodology which is the most popular teaching method for vocational education in Australia.

This means that for each flight lesson, there are clearly defined learning objectives;

1. Competencies that will be demonstrated for the first time.
2. Competencies that need to be practiced during the lesson.
3. Competencies that need to be assessed in order for the student to progress to the next lesson.

This methodology ensures students are taught all aspects of flying for their level.  Furthermore, all of our instructors are trained in teaching in this method.  They either have, or are working towards, a formal academic teaching qualification.  This is in addition to all instructors holding a Flight Intructor Rating from CASA. 

Furthermore, this minimises the cost of flying lessons to students.  Training is not haphazard; it follows a planned curriculum that is designed to maximise the amount each student learns during each hour of flying.

Part time students do the same flight lessons as full time students.  The lesson plans have been designed to deliver the most effective learning.

Students have the flexibility to schedule the flights themselves.  This is done by calling Basair and booking flights over the telephone.  Students should typically have their next 3-4 flights scheduled in advance.

Students pay for each flight at the completion of the flight.  This enables students to pace their course to their funds available.  The price of each type of flight can be found on the Hire Rates page.

 Theory

Learning theory is an important part of becoming a pilot.  There are many CASA exams that are compulsory before students can pass certain milestones; First Solo exam, Area Solo exam, BAK exam, PPL exam and seven CPL exams.

The theory can be fun and exciting - as you learn about aircraft engines, instruments and aerodynamics.  It also covers practical subjects that pilots can use in their day-to-day activites; accomplished pilots can "smell" the weather.  And Human Factors teaches you a self-awareness of your body that you may never have appreciated before.

At Basair, we take the delivery of theory very seriously.  Not only is it interesting and fun, but a sound understanding of the theoretical concepts can lead to fewer flying lessons and a lower cost course.  We run ground school on the weekends (see our BAK and PPL ground school pages.)  Also, most flying lessons start with a theory brief delivered by your instructor.  All of this is aimed at developing you into an accomplished pilot.

Part time students typically follow one of two paths;

1. Self study theory

Some students do not attend theory lectures, and rely on self-study alone.  This can work for many people, but it is important students keep up to date with their theory, otherwise the flying lessons will be less effective.  It is lower cost, but typically harder work.

Students frequently need a pre- and post-flight brief with their instructor to maximise the effectiveness of the flight time.  Pre-flight briefs are charged at $65 an hour and well worth the money.

2. Class based theory

Other part time students enrol in a lecture series run by Basair to improve their theoretical knowledge.  These classes are run on weekends or in the evening.  A schedule of the next theory sessions is below.  Theory is paid for at the beginning of the series.  Series of lectures are grouped into;

Basic Aeronautical Knowledge ($400)

Private Pilot Licence ($660)

Commercial Pilot Licence ($2,000)

IREX ($1,000)

Qualification Level

Students follow the same curriculum and lesson plan for each section of their flight training.  The following pages contain more information on the each section of the course.

General Flight Progress Test (GFPT)

Private Pilot Licence (PPL)

Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)

Multi Engine Command Instrument Rating (ME CIR)

Approximate Costs

The cost of a qualification is different for almost every pilot, as everybody has a different speed of learning.  Read the link on Tips to Minimise Costs.

General Flying Progress Test (GFPT)

The GFPT is the first major milestone licence.  When you hold a GFPT, you will be permitted to carry passengers within the immediate vicinity of the airport you learnt to fly at.

Training for the GFPT is conducted in a Cessna 152.

* These costs are estimates only, as different providers charge different rates.  Even Authorised Testing Officers (ATOs) can charge different rates.

Private Pilot Licence (PPL)

The PPL flights are conducted in either a Cessna 172 or a Piper Warrior. 

* These costs are estimates only, as different providers charge different rates.  Even Authorised Testing Officers (ATOs) can charge different rates.

Tips to minimise the cost

• Go through the Lesson Plan before each flight.  These lesson plans show what will be taught, practiced and assessed, and include tolerances (eg; +/- 100 ft)
• Pre-Read before each theory lecture, and do the practice questions after the class
• Pre-Read the board plan before each instructor brief, and memorise as much of the board plan as possible.
• Fly frequently - try and have at least 3 flights per month.
• Have fun!  It is obvious, but worth mentioning -students in any endeavour learn more when they are having fun.