FLYING LESSONS - FOR FUN

Your first step in "Learning to Fly for Fun" will be to undertake a Trial Instructional Flight (TIF) with the GAS Flight School. (Approx cost $100).

The TIF flight lasting about 30 minutes will give you a good feel and understanding of what is involved in handling an aircraft. Your GAS flight instructor will demonstrate some simple manoeuvres such as flying straight and level, climbing and descending and allow you to take the controls under supervision.

If you decide to proceed with flight training you will need to satisfy the following requirements:

• Be 16 years of age or older to hold a Student Pilot Licence.
• Provide photo identification and other details to the GAS Flight School, Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) which will be forwarded to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to allow them to undertake a security check.
• When you have passed the CASA security check you will be issued with an ARN (Aviation Reference Number).
• You will then need to pass a medical examination conducted by a CASA approved doctor. On successful completion of your medical the doctor will give you a certificate showing that you have passed. You are required to keep this certificate with you whenever you are flying to validate your Student Licence. The medical certificate (Class 2) is valid for 4 years if you are younger than 40 and two years if you are over 40.

QUALIFICATIONS

Formal education qualifications are not required to obtain a Pilot Licence, although a background understanding of maths and physics is helpful. Average skills both physical and mental are generally adequate but self discipline is the essential ingredient to proceed successfully through the structured program of ground study and flying.

STUDENT PILOT TRAINING

The CASA training syllabus sets out in full all the ground and flying training you must complete. To obtain your Private Pilot Licence you will need:

• A minimum of 40 hours flight time (although most students require 50 to 60 hours to reach a satisfactory standard).
• To pass two theory exams.
• To pass your PPL flight test with an independent approved Instructor.
• To budget approximately $12,000(includes GST) to cover all your flight time, briefing time, exam fees, student manuals, medical etc etc.

You can undertake lessons at your own pace - although a minimum of one flying lesson per fortnight is recommended - more often is even better to obtain best value from your flight training dollar.

The Goldfields Air Services (GAS) Flight School has no membership fees, up front fees or minimum charges applying. You simply pay for each lesson at completion of the flight (EFTPOS available).

FLYING FOR A CAREER