First steps to flying
In the UK there are many different types of recreational flying available. Whether it is in traditional light aircraft, microlights, gliders, helicopters, balloons or even gyrocopters, there are many options to choose from to suit a range of interests and budgets.
This section is about how you can take your first steps towards acquiring a pilot licence, which you will need in order to participate in almost all types of flying.
Learning to fly is often one of the most rewarding things you will ever undertake. It is also a serious commitment of both your time and money so it’s important to do your research and make informed decisions about your training.
Generally your training will include
- Ground training and exams in different subjects
- Dual flying lessons with an instructor
- Solo flying training
- Flight test
Some useful sources of information are
- Flying magazines – many publish useful guides on learning to fly
- Flying associations, clubs and schools
- Online forums for pilots/flying
Minimum age requirements
- 16 years old to hold a licence for a glider or balloon
- 17 years old to hold a licence for aeroplanes or helicopter
Medical Standards
Prior to starting training for any pilot licence it is worth considering the medical standards required. You will need to have a medical examination and be given a medical certificate in order for your licence to be valid. A good place to start is our quick guide to LAPL medical requirements, which are the least demanding.
In the UK there are many different types of recreational flying available. Whether it is in traditional light aircraft, microlights, gliders, helicopters, balloons or even gyrocopters, there are many options to choose from to suit a range of interests and budgets.
This section is about how you can take your first steps towards acquiring a pilot licence, which you will need in order to participate in almost all types of flying.
Learning to fly is often one of the most rewarding things you will ever undertake. It is also a serious commitment of both your time and money so it’s important to do your research and make informed decisions about your training.
Generally your training will include
- Ground training and exams in different subjects
- Dual flying lessons with an instructor
- Solo flying training
- Flight test
Some useful sources of information are
- Flying magazines – many publish useful guides on learning to fly
- Flying associations, clubs and schools
- Online forums for pilots/flying
Minimum age requirements
- 16 years old to hold a licence for a glider or balloon
- 17 years old to hold a licence for aeroplanes or helicopter
Medical Standards
Prior to starting training for any pilot licence it is worth considering the medical standards required. You will need to have a medical examination and be given a medical certificate in order for your licence to be valid. A good place to start is the CAA quick guide to LAPL medical requirements, which are the least demanding.
If you fancy taking up this fun hobby, or wish to make it a career, try some of the following:-
• Under 19, consider joining Scouts (Air or Land) or Air Cadets – they will give you opportunities to fly, glide, and maybe parascend and other more esoteric forms of flying. The discipline may help if you are going into a career as a pilot, and either looks good on your CV.
• Contact the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) who have local groups of aircraft owners, some aircraft have been home-built and others are factory made. You will usually find some of the Strut members are happy to take fellow enthusiasts for a flight – it’s appreciated if you offer something toward fuel costs.
• Contact the British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) www.bmaa.org who specialise in the smaller class of powered light aircraft, both flex-wing (like a hang-glider) and more conventional 3-axis control aircraft.
• Read the magazines – they usually have supplements or articles annually in Spring to inform budding pilots of the options and advertise the flying schools and clubs.
• Approach several local Flying Schools, and compare what you get on a flying course – remember, the cheapest may not be the best to choose; you want well-maintained aircraft and competent instructors, which tend to cost!
You have a choice of three licences to aim for :-
• UK-PPL, a licence that allows you to fly world-wide, which can be extended with an instrument rating, and leads onto commercial licences if you fancy a career flying.
• NPPL, a national licence (restricted to certain types, Microlights etc) or a European LAPL licence, which have a less rigorous medical (through your GP) and omits a few lessons on radio nav and instrument flying. See the CAA information on NPPL for details for SSEP (simple single-engined piston) aeroplanes and Microlights. The syllabus and flying is least for microlights, so it’s a good place to start, and you can build on it later with more instruction.
How much does it cost to learn?
It depends on aptitude and age, the licence being sought and whether you can do it in a few months or need a year or two to spread the cost and fun. The following were typical for 2020, but check your area for local prices:-
• NPPL Microlight:- £4,500 – £6000
• NPPL SSEP Aeroplane:- £7,000 – £8,000
• UK-PPL Aeroplane:- £8,000 – £10,000
Some people save a bit going abroad – they are usually very intensive courses, and there’s not much you can do if aircraft or instructors go ‘tech’ for a few days. It’s best to do the theory exams before you go. Be wary of paying for the whole course up front – flying schools sometimes go bust!
If you buy your own aircraft first, you might save some money on the tuition, but it won’t make up for the wear and tear and costs of ownership! Learn on someone else’s plane.
If you fancy owning a plane at some point, consider sharing one with others – a ‘shareoplane’! It lets you get a better plane for the same money, saves paying all the overheads, keeps the plane flying regularly, gives a cushion if something major goes ‘tech’, and gives someone to fly with (apart from singleseat planes). Group-owned aircraft are common, and joining a group can help you gain a lot of experience while sharing the cost with other pilots.
The LAA Youth & Education Support websites give info on flying scholarships and bursaries to help reduce the cost.
Youth and Education Support (YES) is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites, and if you do decide to download anything from a link PLEASE ASK THE OWNER of the computer first.