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Australian Residents
Many pilots have conducted their flight training here at Bendigo Aviation
Services, and you can click here to see where some of our students are now
flying. We would be delighted to have you also join the ever increasing
number of pilots who train here with us.
You can begin your flight training at any age; however, you
must be 16 to fly solo, and 17 to gain your Private Pilot’s Licence. You need to
obtain a student’s pilot license, and pass a medical examination by an
aviation approved medical practitioner, before your first solo flight.
There is no minimum educational requirement to obtain either a private or
commercial pilot licence, but it is very important for you to have the
determination and will-power to succeed. Most people are capable of passing the
written theory examinations set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Airlines have a minimum educational standard for pilots; however, the standard
varies from time to time.
If you hope to be an airline pilot then you need to demonstrate excellent
concentration and alertness skills; a background in English, Maths and Physics
will also help.
So where do you start . . .
Trial Instructional Flight
If you have never flown before, and you want to see what it
is like before diving in, then book a Trial Instructional Flight.
This gives you the opportunity to fly the aircraft from the pilot's seat with
one of our skilled flight instructors. Click
here to view Bendigo Aviation
Services' training aircraft.
General Flying Progress Test (GFPT)
So you were bitten by the flying bug . . . ! The next
step is obtaining your General Flying Progress Test (GFPT). This license
will allow you to take your family and friends for a local flight around Bendigo.
The minimum requirement for GFPT is 20 hours flight time,
including five hours solo flying and two hours instrument flight. You will learn
basic flying skills, local radio procedures and routine aircraft maintenance
inspection. (All hours quoted are the minimum requirement: additional hours may
be necessary.)
You need to obtain a student’s pilot licence, and pass a medical examination by
an aviation approved medical practitioner, before your first solo flight, and
you can be assured our friendly and helpful flight instructors will assist you
with this.
After you have passed GFPT and Basic Aeronautical Knowledge Theory, you can take
your family and friends for a flight around Bendigo. You may then continue your
training to obtain your full Private Pilots Licence.
Click here to obtain a
detailed overview of what you need in both training and finances to obtain your
GFPT.
Private Pilot's Licence (PPL)
To obtain a Private Pilot's Licence, you need to undertake
navigation training. This involves a series of navigation training exercises of
about two to four hours duration. The flying time consists of 30 hours training,
including five hours solo navigation flight.
When you have completed the PPL syllabus, and passed the PPL theory – covering
Aeronautics, Navigation, Meteorology and Air Law – you are ready to take a
flight test for the issue of your Private Pilot's Licence.
This licence allows you to fly your family, friends or business associates all
over Australia in daylight, and clear of cloud.
Click here to obtain a
detailed overview of what you need in both training and finances to obtain your
Private Pilot's Licence.
Night Rating (NVFR)
Should you decide that you do not want to limit your freedoms
as a private pilot to the daylight hours, then you can obtain your night rating.
A night rating requires a minimum of 10 hours of night flying training.
Commercial Pilot's Licence (CPL)
If you wish to make a career out of aviation, you will need
to obtain your Commercial Pilot's Licence. The minimum flight experience
requirement for this licence is 150 hours flight time (70 hours must be solo
flight).
When you have completed the CPL syllabus, and passed CPL theory – covering
Aerodynamics, Navigation, Performance, Meteorology, Air Law, Human Performance
and Limitations and General Knowledge – you are ready to take a flight test for
the issue of your Commercial Pilot's Licence.
This licence allows you to gain employment within the aviation industry and is
the first step to getting a job in the airlines. You can click here to see
where some of our students are now flying.
Click
here to obtain a
detailed overview of what you need in both training and finances to obtain your
Commercial Pilot's Licence.
Command Instrument Rating
The holder of an instrument rating authorises the pilot to
fly in all weather conditions. The minimum requirement is 20 hours of flying
training under actual or simulated poor visibility conditions. The training can
be done in single or twin engine aircraft.
Flight Instructor Rating
The easiest way to start an aviation career is to become a
flight instructor yourself. The Grade 3 Flight Instructor Rating requires 50
hours dual flying, plus some theory (including Principles and Methods of
Instruction). Your Flight Instructor Rating can be commenced immediately
after obtaining your Commercial Pilot's Licence.
Click here
to obtain a detailed overview of what you need in both training and finances to
obtain your Grade 3 Flight Instructor Rating.
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