1. HOW EARLY CAN ONE START FLYING?

When beginning your PPL training, bear in mind that you can only be sent on your initial solo on reaching the age of 17. If you begin your training before you are 16 you will be ready to go solo long before your 17th birthday. The problem here is that it becomes costly to maintain your flying skills while waiting until you are 17. In these circumstances you have to fly far more hours than are required.

2. IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO START MY LICENCE WHILE STILL IN SCHOOL?

Definitely. In the aviation industry one needs to take every opportunity possible. If you are thinking of making a career in aviation, you need to aim at qualifying as a Commercial Pilot as early as possible. If you can finish your PPL and Night Rating whilst still at school, you will be ready to qualify for your Commercial Licence in the first year after you matriculate. This means you could be a Commercial Pilot and possibly an instructor at the age of 18 or 19. An obvious advantage.

3. IF I START MY PPL WHILST STILL ATTENDING SCHOOL, HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD I FLY?

Taking 3 training flights a week is ideal. However, 2 Training flights a week are adequate. Keep in mind that the more regularly one flies, the quicker the learning process.

4. WILL I MISS OUT ON LECTURES AND GROUND SCHOOL IF I AM A SCHOLAR OR HAVE A DAY JOB?

Not at all. The PPL ground school is mainly conducted over weekends and in the evenings. The subjects consist of Air Law, Meteorology, Navigation and the Restricted Radio course. The lectures are given at weekends, usually on a Saturday from 9am to 4pm. All other PPL training lectures are given as a one-on-one between student and instructor. Times for these lectures can be arranged between student and instructor to suit your needs in terms of time availability. The daytime lectures can also be arranged differently if the weekends are inconvenient. We try cater for the student's every need.

5. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO COMPLETE MY PPL IF I DO IT PART-TIME?

A part-time PPL can take anything from 3 to 6 months, depending on weather and your time availability. It well also depend on how frequently you want to fly.

6. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO COMPLETE MY PPL IF I DO IT FULL-TIME?

A full-time PPL can vary in time from as little as 4 weeks, up to as long as 2 months. In summer, it may be difficult to complete a PPL in 4 weeks due to the weather patterns. However, if you can take full advantage of the clear winter weather, you are likely to complete the course in a shorter time.

7. HOW MANY HOURS DO I NEED FOR A PRIVATE PILOT LICENCE

By law, a minimum of 45 hours is required. This consists of 25 hours dual instruction and 15 hours solo flight, with a further 5 hours instrument training. This, though, is the legal minimum. Additional hours may be needed to complete the syllabus depending on the students aptitude and progress.

8. WHEN ARE YOU TOO OLD TO START FLYING?

You are too old to fly when your are no longer medically fit. There is no restricting age, however, you must pass a Grade II medical aviation medical examination for a Private Pilot and a Grade I examination for a Commercial Pilot.

9. CAN I BUDGET FOR FLIGHT TRAINING ON A MONTH TO MONTH BASIS?

Yes, you can. Individual packages are tailor-made to suit the individual client's needs. This depends on how often you want to fly and how much you can afford. You can meet the Chief Flying Instructor to discuss your needs with regard to working out an individual package.

10. ONCE I HAVE OBTAINED MY PPL, HOW MANY HOURS DO I NEED TO FLY PER YEAR TO KEEP IT CURRENT?

One needs to fly 3 hours as pilot-in-command per year. However, to carry passengers, you must make 3 take-offs and 3 landings in any 90 day period prior to the flight. These hours can be done with the school's aircraft which we hire to our clients who have trained with us.

11. HOW MANY HOURS DO I NEED TO COMPLETE A NIGHT RATING?

You need 10 instrument flying hours, of which up to 5 can be done on the simulator. Then an additional VFR night navigation exercise must be flown.

12. WHEN CAN I START TRAINING?

Training can be started at any time throughout the year. The only set dates are for the Commercial Ground School.

13. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GRADUATE FROM PPL TO CPL?

It can take between 10 and 18 months to complete the entire course. The actual time depends on your ability to pass the exams and to meet the required standards.

14. HOW MANY HOURS DO I NEED TO BECOME A COMMERCIAL PILOT WITH AN INSTRUMENT RATING?

You need 200 hours, of which 100 hours must be as Pilot-in-command, with 10 of those hours being Pilot-in-command by night. You need 40 hours of instrument training, although up to 20 hours can be carried out on the simulator.

15. SHOULD I DO A SINGLE ENGINE COMM OR A MULTI-ENGINE COMM?

This is a personal choice. If you are planning to instruct, then you could start with a single-engine CPL with IR and do the twin rating at a later stage. However, a twin rating is always better in the sense that you have been taught to handle a heavier and faster aircraft. Jannie, our Chief Flying Instructor will be able to give you advice on this.

16. IF I DO MY INSTRUCTOR RATING, HOW MUCH WILL I BE ABLE TO EARN?

As an instructor you will earn between R5000 and R12000 per month. You can earn more, depending on how hard you are willing to work.

17. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GAIN A PRIVATE PILOT LICENCE?

Anything between 30 days (full-time) to 7 months (part-time). It depends on your personal needs and budget. However, we do not recommend a PPL course shorter than 30 days or anything longer than 7 months.

18. IS THE SOUTH AFRICAN PPL ACCEPTED INTERNATIONALLY?

Yes, in most countries. However, the medical examination, Air Law examinations and the PPL flight test must be re-done in that country. The requirements are similar to those applicable to an overseas pilot wishing to fly in our country.

19. CAN THE COURSE BE COMPLETED IN THE QUOTED 45 HOURS?

It is possible to complete the course in the planned 45 hours. However, the secret is to fly regularly and to read up as much as you can about learning to fly prior to commencing the PPL course. A home-based flight simulator program like Microsoft Flight Simulator, if you practice regularly, may well keep to a minimum the flying hours you need to qualify.

20. DOES AGE PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN LEARNING TO FLY?

Not really, as long as you are fit enough to pass the medical examination. However, the statistics do show that younger pilots tend to complete the course in fewer hours than those of more mature years.

21. CAN ANY DOCTOR DO THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION?

No, the doctor who performs aviation medical examinations must be approved by the Institute of Aviation Medicine. Such doctors are called Designated Aviation Medical Examiners (or DAMEs for short). Only a South African Medical Certificate can be accepted for a local pilot licence.

22. WHERE CAN I DO MY MEDICAL EXAMINATION?

Loutzavia recommends the services of an approved medical examiner available at Wonderboom Airport 5 days a week.

23. ARE THERE DIFFERENT GRADES OF MEDICAL CERTIFICATES?

Yes,
Class IV  for glider and balloon pilots
Class III for microlight pilots
Class II  for private pilots
Class I  for commercial and airline pilots

24. WHAT ARE THE MAIN THINGS THE EXAMINATION INVOLVES?

A check on the following:
– Blood Pressure
– Cardiovascular System
– Respiratory System
– Vision including colour vision and depth perception
– Hearing
– Heart condition

25. WHEN DO I DO THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION?

Immediately after making the decision to train for your Private Pilot Licence. Loutzavia will book the examination for you.

26. HOW LONG IS THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATE VALID FOR?

– Class II (Under the age of 40) - 24 Months
– Class II (Over the age of 40) - 12 Months
– Class I (Under the age of 40) - 12 Months
– Class I (Over the age of 40) - 6 Months

27. HOW REGULARLY CAN I FLY?

The school operates 7 days a week. However, you can only fly up to 6 days a week with a maximum of 2 sessions a day.

28. HOW MANY INSTRUCTORS WILL I HAVE?

At Loutzavia, you will have one instructor who will take you from start to finish to make sure you receive the best possible flight training at all times.

29. DOES LOUTZAVIA MAKE REGULAR DUAL PROGRESS CHECKS?

Yes, all dual checks are carried out by the chief or senior flying instructor. These checks are made to ensure that you are given a high standard of training throughout your course.

30. HOW OFTEN ARE THE DUAL PROGRESS CHECKS MADE?

At least every 10 flying hours, whereafter you will receive a progress report on performance.

31. HOW MUCH GROUND BRIEFING DO I RECEIVE DURING MY TRAINING AT LOUTZAVIA?

At Loutzavia we believe that proper ground training reduces flying training, thus saving you money.

32. IF I WEAR SPECTACLES, CAN I STILL BECOME A PILOT?

Yes, you most probably can. Many pilots wear either spectacles or contact lenses. We suggest that you have the medical examination prior to commencing or committing to any payment.

33. WHAT ABOUT MY GRADES AT SCHOOL?

Of course, any airline that will consider giving you a flying position will make a careful study of your CV and school grades. However, it is recommended that mathematics, science and geography be taken at school, though these subjects are not compulsory.

34. DO I HAVE THE CO-ORDINATION AND ABILITY TO BECOME A PILOT?

No one is born with the ability to fly an aeroplane. Learning to fly must be practised over and over. Hence the 45 hours minimum for the PPL.

35. DOES LOUTZAVIA PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION?

Yes, Loutzavia has a list of accommodation facilities available around the airport, from basic accommodation to full board and lodging.

36. HOW DO I GET THE RIGHT INSTRUCTOR?

Our Operations Manager will interview you on arrival from which he will asses your goals and decide on the most appropriate flying instructor to suit your personality.

37. HOW DO I MAKE BOOKINGS?

On arrival for your first training lesson, your instructor will explain the booking procedures to you. Flight training is available 7 days a week and bookings are made to suit your individual needs.

38. WHAT ABOUT PAST EXPERIENCE?

The Chief Flying Instructor will review your logbook and work out a tailor-made program from which to continue.

39. HOW MUCH STUDYING WILL I HAVE TO DO?

For the Private Pilot licence, most of the course is focused on the practical aspects. Loutzavia offers a ground school course every Saturday of the month for the different PPL subjects which are:
1. Principles of Flight
2. Engines and Airframes
3. South African Air Law
4. Meteorology
5. Navigation
6. Radio Telephony

40. AM I GUARANTEED TO PASS?

No, unfortunately Loutzavia cannot guarantee that. However, where there is a will there is a way. Learning to fly takes a lot of practice, willpower and dedication. It doesn't often happen that a student cannot complete the course.

41. WHAT CLOTHES OR UNIFORM DO I HAVE TO WEAR?

It is not compulsory to wear a uniform at the Loutzavia Flight Training Centre. However, after completion of the PPL when starting to work towards the Commercial Pilot Licence we recommend that students wear navy blue pants with a white pilot shirt and pilot wings.