If you've already decided that you want to fly, no matter whether it's for recreational purposes, or with airline ambitions, SFC can give you the best possible support to achieve your dream. If you're unsure, or if you have never flown a light aircraft, it's worth taking a Trial Flying Lesson. At times where the previously unthinkable becomes commonplace, it's important to remember that flying is still one of the most satisfying personal achievements. Learning to fly means making an investment in yourself. A skill which literally puts you "above things" brings with it extreme satisfaction - how about flying your friends to France for lunch? Or visiting distant family members without the hassle of long car journeys? The limit is up to you.

Almost anyone, including people with disabilities, can obtain a pilots licence. Despite what you may think, aptitude plays little part in completing the course. What you need is dedication to complete the training. None of us were born with wings, we all had to learn! Pilot training consists of both ground and flight training. Ground training is essential to teach you the necessary theoretical subjects, whereas the flight training will develop your practical handling skills and apply your theoretical knowledge.

The course is broken into sections, which includes a number of examinations. By flying with one of our highly qualified instructors (one will be assigned to you for the course) you will benefit from the very best flying training available. Most of your flying lessons will be of approximately one hour's duration and will include a full debriefing of the exercises covered. You will also be advised on what background reading to do, in order that you are best prepared for your coming lessons. While much of the course in terms of ground school is learnt through self-study, our friendly instructors will no doubt be very keen to help you through any areas you are finding challenging.

Trial Lessons allow you to fly with one of our instructors and experience the thrill of piloting a real aeroplane! For further details please CLICK HERE

If you're considering learning to fly this exclusive package offers the first three hours of flying lessons for only £430 and includes a FREE logbook.
CLICK HERE to book now.

The PPL course consists of a minimum of 45 hours of flight time (at least 10 of which is solo), with a skill test and some ground exams. In order that you do not get out of practice, we recommend flying no less than an average of one flight per fortnight. Frequent flying lessons help ensure you don't over-run the course minimum of forty-five hours.

Structure

The 45 hours flight training is a minimum requirement set down by the Joint Aviation Authority (JAA). Certain flying activities must also have a minimum time spent on them and these are listed below.

The minimum requirements for the forty five hour course are: 10 hours as Pilot in Command, P1 (Solo). Of this time, four hours must be spent on navigation exercises (cross-country flights).

25 hours of flying training with a qualified instructor. Of this time, 4 hours must be spent on navigation exercises, 2 hours on stall/spin and 5 hours on radio navigation. Some night flying may also be included. Your first solo flight should occur at about 10-15 hours.

All flights will progress at a speed appropriate to your needs, so you will never feel overwhelmed at what you are doing.

The Final Test

There is a Skill Test at the end of your flying training, by which time you should be feeling confident and relaxed at the controls of an aircraft, having built up a lot of confidence on your solo flights. The test is broken into two main parts; the first part deals with your navigating abilities, and the second part deals with general flying. It is worth noting that we have a resident examiner here at Sussex Flying Club.

Other Factors

You can commence your training aged fourteen. Whilst you can fly solo as young as sixteen, the minimum age for holding the PPL is seventeen and any pilot wishing to obtain a licence must pass what is known as a Class Two Medical. This is a basic medical check to ensure you are fit to fly. It is not very involved, but can only be carried out by CAA approved doctors. You start the flight training before obtaining your medical, but you cannot be sent on solo flights without it. Wearing glasses is not generally a problem.

The type of aircraft you learn to fly in is another choice for you to make. It is cheaper to learn in the Cessna (2 seater) and convert to the Piper Warrior (4 seater) after obtaining a PPL. The conversion only takes about two hours and is worth doing if you intend flying with extra passengers. The Piper Warrior is more spacious and more suitable for taller students.

Ground Studies

As already mentioned, the ground exams are not difficult and we can provide you with some very good training aids here at Sussex Flying Club. There are 7 ground exams, which have a 75% pass mark and consist of just multiple choice questions.

The 7 exams are listed below.

Air Law: This is the first exam you will sit and must be passed prior to your first solo flight. Despite the daunting title, the majority of this subject consists of simple rules and regulations to help ensure safe flight (like the Highway Code!)

Human Performance: Normally the second (and easiest) exam, this subject looks at the physiological and psychological well being of pilots and passengers and how our attitudes can increase safety.

Meteorology: Understanding the weather is essential to ensuring safe flight. This is often the third exam sat and is one of the most interesting subjects you will study. It is also something you will need to know about every time you plan a flight.

Navigation: This exam is taken during or before you actually start your cross-country navigation exercises in the aircraft. It teaches you all the basic principles of visual navigation on a theoretical level, which can then be applied to actual flying.

Technical: This exam is taken towards the end of your course, by which time you will have picked up a lot of knowledge on how the aircraft flies and what makes it work – always reassuring!

Aircraft Performance: This covers the operating limitations as well as weight, balance and runway lengths needed under various conditions.

Radiotelephony: This exam is taken in two parts, firstly a written paper and then a practical test. You will be introduced to using the radio whilst flying and will become confident in this area. You can practice on our simulator equipment at any time during the course.

Course Cost

The following gives an example based upon the minimum 45 hours training.

1. Shoreham-based landing fees are charged by the airport and are applicable to the aircraft's final movement at the end of the lesson.
2. Touch and go fees are charged by the airport. These are applicable when learning to take-off and land the aircraft. During these sessions the aircraft will land and then take-off again without stopping.
3. Groundschool: There are only approximately 3 hours required as part of the course. Any additional groundschool sessions are on request.
4. Test fees: 2 Civil Aviation Authority tests must be passed for the grant of a PPL.

Cessna 152	2-Seater aircraft
45 Hours @ £149.23 per hour	£6,715.13
45 Landing fees @ £18.21	£819.56
30 Touch and go's @ £9.40	£282.00
Landing at other aerodromes	£75.00
Five hours ground school @ £29.38	£146.87
CAA Radiotelephony Licence test fee	£99.88
CAA Flight test fee	£199.75
Seven ground exams @ £41.13	£287.88
Total	£8,626.07

Piper PA28 Warrior	4-Seater aircraft
45 Hours @ £173.90	£7,825.50
Costs from the above table	£1,910.94
Total	£9,736.44

All prices INCLUDE VAT

Prices are subject to change, current for October 2010

Prices do not include books and equipment

In addition to our fleet of C152 and PA28 aircraft we can offer our PA28-181 Archer 3. This aircraft is the latest model and is equipped with a three-axis autopilot and moving map display. Luxuriously finished it is also faster than the PA28 Warrior.

For complex training we operate a PA28 Arrow, which has a variable pitch propeller and retractable undercarriage.

The night rating is probably the most enjoyable rating any aviator can achieve and the one with the least training time. A minimum of five hours flight time is required to obtain this rating and this is rarely exceeded by pilots who already hold IMC ratings. If you do not hold an IMC rating a further two hours of instrument appreciation flying may be required.

The rating allows you to carry passengers at night (subject to certain PPL restrictions and currency requirements). This opens up a whole new world of flying adventures! Flying at night is very different to daylight flying and many find it even more enjoyable.

The course consists of some night familiarisation flights, which include several touch-and-go landings and practicing dealing with electrical failures of cockpit systems. After some solo flying you can apply to the CAA for your rating. There are no ground examinations or flight tests for this qualification.

It is usually best to train for this rating in winter as it is difficult to arrange the course during the lighter evenings due to airport closing times.

The course is usually conducted in one of our Cessna aircraft which minimises training costs (however you can choose to train for the night rating in a PA28).

Course Cost

5 Hours night flying in a C152 including 1 hour of dual navigation	£896.00
5 Solo take-off and landings	£91.00
Total	£987.00*

* Excludes touch and go charges

The Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) rating is highly recommended for anyone who intends flying frequently in the UK. The rating allows the pilot to fly in a much wider range of weather conditions, including in clouds and poor visibility. The rating is only valid in the UK but greatly improves instrument and general flying proficiency. It is one of the most challenging and useful ratings you can obtain.

The course length is fifteen hours and starts with a continuation of basic flight maneouvres in simulated IMC and flight on a partial panel (simulating cockpit instrument failures etc.).

You then progress on to navigating by radio aids - including VORs and NDBs - before using instrument approach procedures and ILS (Instrument Landing System) to help you land in poor weather. This is the most rewarding part and will build your confidence the next time you look at the weather forecast!

The course requires a minimum of 10 hours flying by sole reference to instruments.

The IMC rating does not give you additional privileges to your PPL with regards to flying in airways (Class A airspace), and you are still more restricted than if you hold a full instrument rating.

Nevertheless, this is a very worthwile rating and one that greatly increases your skills and airmanship. SFC carries out IMC training at any time of the year, and owns a number of well-equipped Piper PA28s - some of them airways compliant - to give you the best possible training.

We also operate instrument procedure trainers that allow you to practice various aspects of the IMC rating on a simulator before you get in the aeroplane. Our resident CAA examiner is fully authorised to carry out both practical and written exams once you and your instructor are satisfied that you can fulfil all rating requirements.

15 Hours dual flying with an instrument instructor

£2,775.94*

*Excludes approach and flight test fees.

Once applicants have received their PPLs and launch out into the 'flying world', in the interest of safety it is important that the standard of flying achieved during their training is maintained.

All too often, the finer points involved in emergencies, slow flight, stall and spin awareness, basic instrument flight, and use of radio navigation aids can be neglected in the process of carrying passengers and visiting new destinations.

SFC offers fully AOPA-approved refresher training to tackle the problems which arise when flying only infrequently. Depending on the skill level and flying standard of the pilot, refresher training takes approximately three hours of flying which is structured as follows:

General flying to include all normal manoeuvres, circuits, landings and compliance with ATC procedures:
45 mins.

Simulated emergencies, including engine failure after take-off, practice forced landings, radio failures, air/ground fires:
45 mins.

Slow flight, stall & spin awareness:
45 mins.

Basic instrument flight to include recoveries from unusual attitudes/ spiral dives:
45 mins.

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Total: 3 hours.

 

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