fixed-wing flying

Leading Edge Ltd

Instruction on Aeroplanes (often referred to as group A aircraft) is provided by Leading Edge Ltd . The training fleet currently includes two Cessna 152s and and a Piper PA28 Warrior with the majority of PPL and NPPL flight training using the Cessna 152 aircraft. The 152 is one of the most common flight training aircraft worldwide. We have two full-time instructors and a supporting cast of part-time instructors.

the fixed-wing pilot

The fixed wing pilot typically learns in a two-seat training aircraft (usually the Cessna C152). Initial instruction covers the basic handling, takeoffs and landings and importantly how to cope with any emergency situations, all this takes place in an aircraft with dual controls and an instructor to demonstrate the manoeuvers. Each flying lesson generally takes between 45 and 90 minutes, but may vary due to the students requirements and the weather!

When both student and instructor are happy that the basics have been mastered then the student pilot will take controls without the instructor present. Typically between 10 and 25 hours of training with an instructor are required before this first "solo' flight. No pilot ever forgets their first solo.

Further flights introduce the art of cross country flying and practical navigation. These flights culminate in a cross country navigation exercise and the general flight test. Students can participate in club flyouts (accompanied by an instructor) and have any flying time credited toward their minimum hours requirement. On completion of training the successful pilot gains either an NPPL or a JAR-FCL PPL - see "License options" below. (More advanced license options including the CPL and ATPL can also be gained at Perth through Tayflite).

Note that MOST pilots require more than the bare minimum hours of training to pass their GFT - 45-50 is a more realistic figure.

After gaining a license, the fixed wing pilot typically continues to hire the aircraft that they learned on (now at the cheaper hiring rate since you are no longer paying for an instructor) and gain experience. They may wish convert onto a 4-seat type instead of the two-seat trainer so that they can take more family and friends flying.

License options for fixed wing pilots:

There are two basic license options available to the fixed wing pilot - the NPPL (National Private Pilots License) and the JAR-FCL PPL (Joint Aviation Regulations - Flight Crew Licensing Private Pilots License).

The JAR-FCL PPL is an internationally recognized private pilots license – offering the holder the ability to fly in most countries worldwide.

The JAR-FCL PPL requires:

• a full class 2 aviation medical exam (carried out by an AME)
• passes in ground exams on Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, Aeroplane Technical, Human Factors and Radio.
• a minimum of 45 hours flying training,
• a General Flight Test (GFT) of around 2 hours duration
• a solo cross country flight

The NPPL is a slightly restricted version of the PPL, in that the holder of an NPPL can only fly in UK airspace (so trips to France and Eire are ruled out). In addition, an NPPL holder cannot advance to night flying or to instrument flying. However the medical and training requirements are slightly less demanding (and therefore cheaper). Since the course syllabus and written tests are very similar to the JAR PPL it is, of course, possible to undergo further instruction and testing and upgrade to a JAR-FCL PPL.

It is worth noting, however, that changes are afoot and the UK restriction may soon be lifted. The NPPL is a UK-only license which requires that a student:

• pass a class 2 HGV medical (which can be signed off by the student's own GP),
• undertake a minimum of 35 hours training,
• passes in ground exams on Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, Aeroplane Technical, Human Factors and Radio.
• perform a General Flight Test (GFT) of around 2 hours duration and a cross country solo flight

training rates

The current hiring and instruction rates can be found on our fleet page

examiners

In Dai Heather-Hayes and Sandy Torrance we have two of the most experienced CAA examiners anywhere.

but how much will it cost to keep flying AFTER I've learned?

Gaining your license is just the beginning. The cost of flying per hour is typically around £100 for hiring a club aircraft whilst the cheapest we’re aware of at Perth is a group owned PFA aircraft which cost £8000 to purchase (between 4 group members) and is operated at a cost of £60/month (to cover hangerage/maintenance) plus £40/hour. See here for a fuller discussion of flying 'permit' aircaft as opposed to 'certificate' aircraft.