PPL Course Overview

Yesterday we had our first theory lesson. Because it was our first appointment, we had to do a lot of paperwork including signing the training contract. Now I want to give you a brief course overview. Please keep in mind, that this might vary depending on your actual flying school.

Theory Start

At the beginning of the course we had to bring an extract of our criminal record. This is because the club wants to check if we are trustworthy persons, because at this point we are strangers to them.

In aviation it is very important that you are fit and healthy. That is why we have to get something that is called a “Medical” (EN, DE). Therefore you have to go to an aeronautical medical examiner. This doctor checks if you are in a sufficient health condition for flying. For the PPL, a class 2 medical is sufficient.

You should bring this as early as possible because it is possible that you don’t get it and therefore it would be waste of time doing the theory course.

Radiocommunication Exam

In order to get the PPL and to learn flying you have to communicate via radio. To achieve this, we are going to self study via the learning portal radiocheck.at.

Practice Start

A recommendation of the school is that you have gained the radiotelephony certificate before starting with the practical part. Also as a bare minimum the theory topics “General Aircraft Knowledge” and “Aerodynamic” are required. I may write an other post about the whole theory stuff in the future.

But they gave us the advice to start with the practical part after the theory exam. So that you can fully concentrate on this and don’t have to study in addition.

Theory End

At the end of the theory course you have to do a preliminary examination. This is an exam that happens at the flight school. If the result is sufficient you get the registration sheet for the examination at the local authorities, in my case this is Austro Control.

Practice End

For the practical part, they told us that you must have at least 45 flying hours. Of those you should have a minimum of 25h dual, 10h as PIC and 5h cross country.

If you have completed all flying sessions (and of course you have a positive theory exam) you may apply for the practical exam.