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Learning To Fly

Courses at the Avondale College School of Aviation may be taken on a part-time or full-time basis. This may be done just for fun, the realisation of your dreams, or it may become the start of a great career for you.

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Who Can Fly?



There are two main categories of flying students.

Casual Student



People who wish to train at their own pace with their own objectives. Programs are organised to suit each individual. Obtaining the Private Pilot Licence (PPL) is the most common objective. Flying lessons can be organized from as often as a couple of lessons a day to little as once every few months. Theory components can be completed at ones own pace as self-study or as one on one coaching from an experienced instructor. Where there has been enough demand, night classes have been offered to teach the PPL theory.

Full-time Student



People who want a structured course can attend training courses that generally commence early February each year. Theory and practical components are integrated to provide maximum learning advantages. Theory classes generally run 4 hours per day Monday through Friday. Flying lessons can be as often as once per day in the early stages of training.

Courses range from the Private Pilot Licence all the way up to full professional licences, including Commercial Pilot Licence, Instructor Ratings and the Airline Transport Pilot Licence theory.

What You Need To Do To Get Started Learning to Fly



Ring Avondale College School of Aviation on (02) 4990 0888 and book a trial instructional flight. You will fly a Cessna 152 under the supervision of an instructor and get the feel of what it is really like to fly.

There is no minimum age to begin, but you must be 16 years of age before you can fly solo.

No educational level is specified, but high knowledge of English is necessary. Medium mathematical ability is beneficial.

A medical examination is required by a CASA approved doctor (a list of doctors in the school's proximity can be provided and is also available on line at www.casa.gov.au/avmed/search.htm). An Aviation Reference Number (ARN) must be obtained prior to having the medical exam. A copy of the application form is at www.casa.gov.au/manuals/regulate/fcl/form1162.pdf

A Student Pilot will need to be obtained as soon as possible when you commence training. You can apply for this at Avondale College School of Aviation at the early stages of your training.

Each of the early lessons are usually about 1 hour and may be booked by ringing the office. No deposits are required and each lesson is paid on completion.

The standard required for your first solo flight will usually be reached after approximately 12 hours flight training.

Theory training should run concurrently with the flight training, and the necessary text books are available from the school.

Types of Licences



Student Pilot Licence (Training Licence)



This licence allows you to fly as pilot in command in the training area or around an airport. No passengers are allowed until the General Flying Progress Test (GFPT) is passed. A number of other limitations restrict flying. A minimum of 20 hours flying is required before being able to sit for the flight test permitting the carriage of passengers.

Private Pilot Licence (Recreational Licence)



This licence allows you to carry passengers and fly anywhere in Australia. A minimum of 40 hours flying training is required prior to sitting the flight test for the issue of the PPL.

Training will normally be done in a four seat Piper Warrior, and will include navigation training exercises to locations throughout New South Wales.

Additional theory training is required and the necessary textbooks are available from the school. Your instructor will advise what is required. Study can be done by yourself, or you can participate in courses that are run from time to time. Private tuition is also available at a reasonable cost.

Commercial Pilot Licence (Professional Licence)



To enter the aviation industry and earn an income as a pilot, it is necessary to obtain a Commercial Licence. This can be done part-time, and requires a higher level of skill. You are expected to fly professionally in all aspects. A minimum of 200 hours flying training is required (150 with some approved training organisations, eg. Avondale College School of Aviation).

Training includes more advanced general flying to improve your standard. Additional navigation training and theory training is also required. Private tuition is available at a reasonable cost.

Air Transport Pilot Licence



This licence allow you to fly large aircraft for airlines (eg. QANTAS). It requires a minimum of 1500 hours flying.

This is a theory training course and is run over three to four months in the second half of each year, usually commencing late July. The course is composed of seven subjects that focus on large transport type aircraft such as the Boeing 767 and Boeing 767. It is open to all applicants, and you can enroll in all or any of the subjects.

Other Qualifications



Other possible qualifications include:

Command Instrument Rating



This rating is a mandatory requirement by most employers in the aviation industry. This course covers all aspects of instrument flying to allow you to fly an aircraft solely by reference to cockpit instruments in conditions where visual flight by reference to a natural horizon is not possible.

Additional theory training is also required, and is run in conjunction with the flight training on a full-time basis over a 3-4 week period. It can be done in a single engine aircraft for personal use or more generally in a twin engine aircraft for commercial use.

Annual renewals of this rating are required and instruction is run on a demand basis.

Night V.F.R. Rating



This training is also mandatory for most commercial pilots. It is also available to private pilots wishing to expand their abilities.

Training will develop the skills required to take off and land at night by reference to runway lighting available. It will also improve your instrument training, allowing you to cope with flying at night by reference to a natural horizon, if available, or by reference to instruments. Training will also develop your ability to navigate at night by use of various navigational aids.

Multi Engine Training



Obtaining a multi engine rating is necessary for most Commercial Pilots to enhance job opportunities. Training is available on demand in a twin engine Beech Duchess, and covers both practical and theoretical aspects of handling multi engine aircraft.

Flight Instructor Rating



Becoming a flight instructor allows you to obtain a qualification that immediately enables you to be employed in the aviation industry. It also allows you to accumulate many hours of flying experience in a relatively short space of time, and improves your own flying skills, both practical and theoretical.

The school conducts flying training instructor courses at regular intervals throughout the year, as required, on a full-time or part-time basis.

The course covers all aspects of how to teach. The syllabus is divided into twenty sections, and you will be required to learn how to deliver a lecture and briefing in each section, and also develop the skill to fly and teach practical flying from the right hand seat. The course requires 50 hours flying, both with a senior instructor and also with another trainee instructor to carry out mutual practice in teaching students in the air.

Training Costs



For information on finances and other details, please make contact with our office on (02) 4990 0888 or email to aviation@avondale.edu.au