Whether you are learning to fly for pleasure or for a career, it is an exciting time.The Australian Government Civil Aviation Safety Authority helps people to start flying and eventually become licenced as a pilot.You will learn the basics of flying with a qualified instructor once you enroll in a flying organisation.You can get a qualification as a private or commercial pilot in Australia if you sit theory and practical exams when you are ready.
Step 1: Gain a higher school certificate.
Before you can sit a pilot's licence test in Australia, you need a basic background in physics and math from year 10.diplomas and degrees in aviation from Australian universities, which aren't necessary to pass the licence tests, may be an advantage when an airline or chief pilot is reviewing your resume.Most Australian airlines require a higher school certificate.A degree in aviation isn't required for a private pilot licence.You should get a university degree if you want to fly for an airline outside of Australia, for example the United States.
Step 2: Pick a flying organisation that's right for you.
If you use a search engine and key words "flying schools" or "aero clubs" you can find many of them.The costs and fees associated with private or commercial licencing will be different for each school.To find out information about each flight organisation, talk to as many flying instructors and students as you can.Picking the right flight organisation is dependent on what you want.If you want to fly for pleasure, then choose a school that is focused on recreational or private licencing.If you want to have a career as a pilot, you should look for a school that provides non-recreational commercial pilot training.If your goals change you can always transfer schools.
Step 3: You need to complete your flight school training.
It will take between 55 and 60 hours of training for a student to get a private pilot licence.This takes around 2 months if you are training full time.If you train for 1 hour per week, it will take 12 months.How frequently you fly, aircraft availability, your financial situation, and the weather are some of the factors that affect the amount of time you spend training.If you can afford to train full time, it will take you less time than if you have casual lessons.
Step 4: The Australian Government has an aviation reference number.
You will get an ARN from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.You will have to bring your proof of identity with you.The Civil Aviation Authority of Australia regulates all aspects of aviation in Australia.It will take up to a week to process an ARN.When flying with an instructor, you don't need an ARN, but you will need one before you fly alone.
Step 5: To fly solo, you need a class 1 or 2 medical certificate.
You don't need a medical certificate when flying with your instructor, but you will need one before your first solo flight.You should make sure you pass the medical before you find out you aren't eligible to solo or hold a licence due to a medical condition.The minimum medical requirement for flying solo is the recreational aviation medical practitioners certificate.Commercial pilots and multi-crew licence pilots need to have a class 1 medical certificate in order to fly.If you are under 40 and older than 40, the class 2 medical certificate can be valid for up to 4 years.Minimum requirement for private pilots is given by a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner.You can use a search engine to find a DAME.A class 2 and 1 medical certificate includes a full medical history, audiogram, and vision tests.A RAMPC can be used to fly solo in certain aircraft but has a much lower medical standard and is much cheaper than a class 2.The RAMPC is only for pilots who want to fly under the privileges of a recreational pilot licence.
Step 6: When you are ready, fly solo.
Only instructors that are either grade 1 or 2 can allow students on their first solo flight.You need to be at least 15 years old, have an ARN, and have either a class 1 or 2 CASA medical certificate.You will need to follow the instructions of your instructor, such as not having passengers and not flying for more than 3 hours.You must have completed a dual flight in the same aircraft type within the last 30 days in order to fly solo.
Step 7: Do you want a private or commercial pilot licence?
There are different conditions and privileges associated with these licences.You can only fly private aircraft with a private pilot licence.Once you have a private licence, you can fly both private and commercial aircraft.
Step 8: You can skip the recreational and private pilot licenses and go straight to the commercial pilot licence if you want, because some flight schools are approved to deliver integrated training.
Step 9: There is a private or commercial pilot licence.
The theory component of getting a pilot licence will be taught by your flight school.The subjects that are involved in the theory are aerodynamics, meteorology, navigation, and aircraft systems.Talk to your flight school about the best way to combine your theory and practical work in order to get your private or commercial pilot licence.
Step 10: You need to complete the practical training for your licence type.
Basic flying, cross-country, and instrumental flying are included in the flight training for both licences.A minimum of 30 hours of flight time is required for the private pilot licence training.The minimum training required for an integrated course commercial pilot licence is 140 hours as the pilot, 70 hours of pilot in command flight time, and 20 hours for cross-country flights.
Step 11: The minimum training for a non-integrated course is 200 hours flight time as a pilot and 100 hours in command.
Step 12: You have to pass the private or commercial pilot licence theory exam.
The private pilot licence theory will be covered in the exam.Your flight school will organize your exam.The pass score for the private pilot licence theory exam needs to be at least 70%.All of the questions are either multi-choice or numerical value answers, and the exam is 3.5 hours long.If you want to pass the commercial pilot licence theory exam, you need to get a minimum grade of 70% in each of the 7 subjects, aside from the Flight Rules and Air Laws subject which requires 80%.Each exam takes between 1.25 and 2.5 hours to sit, and you will need to take all of the subject exams within a time period of 2 years.
Step 13: The private or commercial pilot licence flight test is required.
You will be tested on all of the ground and flight aspects that you have been training for.The practical flight test is organised by your flight school.Take-off, descent, arrival, and post-flight are some of the different aspects included in the private and commercial pilot licence tests.
Step 14: Every 1-2 years you have to complete a flight review.
You have to have a biannual flight review to brush up on your flying skills.This will make sure you are competent to operate the aircraft.This is done at your flight school.You must meet the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization if you want to get a flight review.