Private Pilot Licence (PPL) Course

On successful completion of the full course, students will attain a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

The licence allows you to fly as pilot-in-command carrying passengers in visual flight conditions in a single-engine aircraft.

Flight lessons are scheduled at a pace and time to suit your needs, and to support your learning and general progress. Lessons include a pre-flight and post-flight briefing and your instructor will review your progress with you after each lesson.

The structure of the navigation training for the PPL is quite different to the RPL and includes a number of training exercises. Each exercise is an extended cross-country flight of between two and four hours. These flights take you all around Tasmania, to both licenced and unlicensed aerodromes, as well as an optional trip to Victoria. You will learn how to safely plan and conduct these flights on your own in preparation for the Private Pilot Licence Flight Test.

The minimum requirements for the issue of the PPL are 40 hours total flying experience, however, realistically the time taken is normally closer to 55 hours.

Theory topics include flight rules and air law, aerodynamics, meteorology, navigation, flight planning, power plants, and aircraft systems – and others.

We provide you with a self-study guide and materials that you can work through at your own pace. Our instructors support your learning as you move through the course and prepare for the theory exam. 

This course does not include theory classes.

To attain the RPL, you will need to :

• pass the PPL theory exam
• pass the PPL flight test
• meet the minimum aeronautical experience requirements which can vary slightly as to how your training is structured  – approximately 45-50 hours (minimum of 40 hours).

NOTE: You need to be at least 17 years of age to attain an PPL licence. You can fly solo at age 15 provided you hold a valid medical certificate.

This course is flexible and can be taken at your pace. It is the equivalent of 12 weeks of full-time training and study (all inclusive). Many students take the course part-time and at a pace that suits them. Our instructors work with you to develop a training plan that is best suited to your needs, schedule and budget.

The amount of training actually required can be influenced by a student’s existing skills and knowledge and the Chief Flying Instructor (or a delegated instructor) will provide appropriate information and study advice on an individual basis.

• Flight Training including up to ¹:
  • 45 dual hours – Cessna 172
  • 10 solo hours – Cessna 172
  • 1.5 hours – simulator
• Pre and post-flight briefings
• Landing fees
• Theory books and study materials
• Navigation equipment and pilot gear
• CASA license and flight testing fees ¹

FEES

NOTES ABOUT FEES:

• TUITION FEES are indicative and cover the inclusions – see above ^[1,2]
• EXTERNAL FEES are approximate costs for the CASA theory test, ASIC, charts, aeronautical documents, and aviation medical examination (payable separately to external providers).
• GST applies to this course and is included where applicable ^[3]

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:

• interstate navigation exercise approx. $250.00
• headset approx. $360.00
• pilot uniform set approx. $350.00

• Pay-as-you-go
• Interest-free-payment-plan

Find out more about our payment options

To apply for the course you must be:

• at least 15 years of age 
• prepared to undertake a General English Language Assessment with us.

To commence the course you must:

• obtain an Aviation Reference Number (ARN)
• obtain a Class 1 or 2 Aviation Medical
• obtain an Aviation Security Identity Card (ASIC)

On completion of the PPL you may want to simply enjoy your new freedom, or move up to a more sophisticated aircraft, undertake an instrument rating to fly in all weather conditions, or get your multi-engine rating. If your Private Pilot Licence has inspired you to follow a career in aviation, then you can go on to train for the issue of a Commercial Pilot Licence.

1 Indicative fees are based on average requirements for attainment. Where a student requires additional flying time, or more than one attempt at a theory test or flight test to achieve the required standard, additional fees will apply.

2 Fees are valid for the stated year-intake only. Fees for future years displayed on this page and in our applications system are provisional and subject to change.

3 GST is included in the fees. Students who attain their PPL as part of the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) course or the Diploma of Aviation – Commercial Pilot Licence, do not pay GST. This is due to the vocational outcomes of the full CPL courses.