Private Pilots Licence

Minimum Requirements - Private Pilot License - Theory

There is no formal requirement to have undertaken any theory examinations before your first flying lesson. The first restriction (with respect to having successful examination passes) applies to "cross country" flights. This applies to flights beyond 25Nm from the aerodrome of departure. In order to undertake such a flight solo (as Pilot in Command (PIC)), you must have successful examination passes in:

• Air Law
• Navigation
• Meteorology and;
• Flight Radio Telephone Operator
• General Aircraft Technical Knowledge (Aeroplane) and;
• Human Factors

At the North Shore Aero Club we run night school courses (typically on Monday and Wednesday nights) for the six PPL subjects. Typically, a full night school course of all six subjects will take three months to complete. However, the option for self study at home is available for all club members. Please note that the syllabus (contained within Advisory Circular AC61-1.3) for the six PPL theory examination subjects can be viewed on the CAA website (or see our Links page).

Exams

The North Shore Aero Club has a lecture room situated on the ground floor of the clubhouse. Private Pilot License theory examinations are held in the same room at regular intervals (typically Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings) by Aviation Services Limited (ASL). These times are subject to change but a timetable is kept regularly updated with sitting times on the club noticeboard. Commercial Pilot License (and other professional pilot examinations) are held at various locations within the Auckland region on a monthly basis. These venues and examination timetables can be viewed on the ASL website (or see our Links page).

General Training - Aircraft Selection

The predominant training aircraft used at North Shore Aero Club is the Robin R2120 (low wing - side by side seating and dual controls).

Professional training is also available in various Cessna and Piper aircraft online at the aero club. We can train a student from "ab-initio" up to Commercial Pilot standard in either the Robin, Cessna or Piper aircraft. Please talk to our office staff, or to one of our instructors, for more information on how we can cater for your individual needs.

Once your flight training has commenced, there are various checkpoints along the way. Below is a list which contains some of the more critical points in your pilot training (with associated minimum requirements):

Minimum Requirements - Private Pilot's License (PPL)

These are outlined in AC61-1.3 (available on CAA website), some, but not all of the requirements for the issue of a Private Pilots Licence are listed below. The applicant must:

• Hold a current Class 2 Medical Certificate;
• Be a minimum of 17 years of age;
• Pass the PPL theory examinations which are Aviation Law, Meteorology, Flight Radio, Navigation, Human Factors, Aircraft Technology;
• Have a minimum of 40 hours flight training, or if cross country privileges are wanted, a minimum of 50 hours including cross country experience;
• Have a minimum of 15 hours solo flight time;
• Have a minimum of 5 hours instrument flying;

The CAA web site contains the civil aviation requirements regarding training towards a pilot license (private, commercial etc). It is recommended that this information be read as early in the pilots training as possible, especially if the pilot desires to pursue a career in aviation. The various other civil aviation rules can be viewed on the CAA website.

Please contact us for more information.