Courses Offered By Firecrest

European Private Pilots Licence (PPL)

45 hours minimum flight training (not less than 25 hours dual and 10 hours solo) - seven mutli-choice examinations - Qualifying Cross-Country Flight - Practical Radio Telephony test and a Flying Skills test of Navigation and Aircraft General Handling.

The flight training for the PPL can be done over a long period, if required. Many students have one lesson per week and the course can be expected to be completed in just less than twelve months. The written exams can be taken at any time during the course and in general, we find that one week of evening study for each subject is sufficient to achieve a pass.

National Private Pilots Licence (NPPL)

32 hours minimum flight trainging (not less than 22 hours dual and 10 hours solo flying) - seven multi-choice examinations - Navigation Flight Test, Qualifying Cross Country and General Handling Test. This licence restricts pilots to operating in UK airspace only, in daylight and good weather.

The Night Rating

This is an addition to the PPL, which extends its privileges so that the pilot can fly after sunset.

The course consists of 5 hours flying, which includes 3 hours dual instruction at night, 5 solo take-offs and landings, and a night solo cross-country. This can be taken as part of the European Pilots Licence course.

The Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) Rating

This rating allows you to fly in the UK when conditions are less than required for Visual Flight Rules.

Pre-course Requirements:
At least 25 hours logged flying time since gaining the PPL, 10 of which must be as pilot in command and 5 hours must have been cross-country.

The course consists of:
15 hours flight instruction, 10 of which must be flown by sole reference to instruments intermediate manoeuvres, instrument approaches and holds, 20 hours ground instruction, plus a written examination and flight test.

Multi Engine Course

A minimum of 6 hours training, plus a test with one of our examiners.

The First Step

Try your hand at flying an aircraft with a Trial Flying Lession, available as an attractive gift voucher from us.

The standard lesson is on hour and starts with a pre-flight briefing about the controls and instruments in the aircraft. You tehn assist with start-up, taxiing and take-off for the 30 minute flight. You will have 'hands on' control for much of the flight. If you would like to share the lesson with a friend or relative, you only pay an extra £10.

Please see our price list for the current cost of this lesson.

The first PPL lesson lasts two hours. You will be given a training briefing about basic flying manoeuvres, followed by a one hour flight out in the local training area. Again, you will do most of the flying. After the flight, you can discuss your flight with your instructor. You can bring along a friend or relative, with a camera, to share the briefing and flight with you for an additional £15.

Please see our price list for the current cost of this lesson.