Most people entering aviation tend to learn to fly aeroplanes instead of helicopters, gliders etc. Aeroplanes are great since they give you total freedom of the skies.

Private Pilots Licence (PPL)
To fly aeroplanes the first thing you are going to need is a Private Pilots Licence.

This will allow you to fly a single engine aircraft for recrearational purposes. You will be able to take you friends and family up in the skies to experience the marvellous views and land at that quiet litte airfield for lunch.

Gaining a PPL requires a minimum of 45 hours of tuition with at least 10 hours solo and 25 hours dual tuition. While the flying part of the course is great fun, you should note that a large amount of time will have to be devoted to passing ground exams. You will also need to be motivated and have patience to succeed through training.

The NPPL Alternative
A few years ago the National Private Pilots Licence was introduced (NPPL). It is essentially a lighter version of the JAR PPL which is designed to provide a cheaper alternative to learning to fly.

It reduces the cost as an NPPL only requires 32 hours of tuition instead of the 45 needed by the PPL. However the shorter learning time comes at a cost. The NPPL is more restrictive than the PPL, these restrictions are summarized below:

• Only valid in the UK.
• Daytime Flying only.
• Limited to four people flying at one time.
• Limited by weather conditions, only VFR.

Further Training
A PPL is just the start of the learning process in flying areoplanes. Once you have the PPL you can go on to improve your skills with further flying qualifications. These will allow you to fly more sophisticated aircraft, do aerobatics and fly in bad weather.

Night Rating, if you want to fly at night you will require this. Flying at night provides new fascinating challenges with the darkness and then the city lights. It only requires 5 hours of training.

Aerobatics, do you like to show off, you can if you do an Aerobatic Certificate of Comptency course(A0PA).

Multi-Engine Rating, a PPL only allows you to handle single engined aircraft. To migrate to multi-engined aircraft you will require this rating.

IMC Rating, this stands for the Instrument Meteorological Conditions Rating (IMC). This course will teach you all about instrument flying. Once completed it will allow you to fly in poor weather conditions with low visibility.

Further Reading

More From Learn To Fly::

Learn To Fly

Learn To Fly Aeroplanes

Learn To Fly Helicopters

Learn To Fly Microlights

Learn To Fly Gliders

How save on your flying training