A Private Pilot License (PPL) is the first step on the ladder of aviation training. A person holding a Private Pilot Licence is allowed to fly an aircraft for recreational purposes during daytime in good weather conditions.
Doing your PPL in Pretoria with Blue Chip Flight School means you will be trained by qualified and experienced flight instructors in both the theoretical and practical aspects of becoming a pilot.
Students need to be declared medically fit by a designated aviation medical examiner, which has been approved by the Commissioner for Civil Aviation. They need at least a Class II medical certificate, which is valid for 60 months if under the age of 40 or 24 months if 40 or older. Chest x-rays are needed for the initial examination. Requirements are roughly the same as for a normal life insurance policy. We will assist in making the relevant appointments.
A student must be 15 years or older to apply for a Student Pilot Licence, 16 before going solo, and 17 to obtain a Private Pilot Licence. Additionally, you must be a South African citizen or a holder of a study permit. Proficiency in English up to level 4 is required, and you must also hold a valid student pilot license.
Alongside our study guides from Lazy Bird Learning and integrated training approach, also with the aid of our dedicated flight instructors who offer their assistance and guidance, you should easily pass the practical applied subjects. The applicant must pass 8 written exams with a minimum score of 75%, which is the passing score. The exams are taken online at our accredited examination centre, which is linked with the South African Civil Aviation Authority.
Meteorology
Navigation
Air Law
Principles of Flight
Aircraft Technical and General
Human Performance
Flight Performance and Planning
Restricted Radio Licence
The theoretical exams are relatively straight forward and designed for the Pilot to fly for recreational purpose only.
During your PPL training you will learn to do a pre-flight, post flight, take-offs and landings at different airports, how to file a flight plan, interpret weather. Learn how to navigate, all instruments in the aircraft’s cockpit including communication equipment, basic flight manoeuvres and most importantly approved safety and emergency procedures.
Minimum of 25 hours dual flight training with an instructor
Minimum of 15 hours of solo flight training including a minimum of three hours solo cross country navigation flight
Practical flight and navigation skills test
5 Hours Basic IF Simulator training
Each flying session includes a theoretical component or briefing before and after each flight. The student will be briefed on what to prepare for in terms of checks, flows, procedures, vital actions and theory before the next flight.
The test will be conducted by at least a Gr II Instructor.
Estimated time to obtain your Private Pilot Licence is 6 months
Each flying session includes a theoretical component or briefing of respectively 30 minutes. before and after each flight. The student will also be shown what to prepare for in terms of checks, flows, procedures, vital actions, and theory before the next flight.
Our PPL program is structured to reward students who are willing to do more than just the minimum. Our practical flying approach also offers opportunities for ‘critical-analytical’ thinking, i.e. to learn from one’s mistakes and those of others and the possible outcomes, solutions, and remedies; as well as ‘risk assessment’ briefings applicable to the professional pilot in his airline transport career.