PPL - Private Pilot License

You have taken a trial flight and decided that learning to fly is for you. Whether your ultimate goal is flying professionally or simply flying for pleasure, the first stop is your Private Pilots Licence or PPL.

With your Private Pilots Licence, you will be able to take friends and family on stunning airborne adventures where any place with an airstrip becomes a potential destination. Being able to share the joys of flying with others is an excellent ability to have.

Wakatipu Aero Club, with its team of highly qualified and experienced Flight Instructors, will help you to learn the skills and experience while developing the confidence to fly anywhere you desire.

Entry Requirements

There are no prior qualifications required to start pilot training, however secondary school level subject passes in English, Maths and Physics will help aid your learning process.

You can commence flight training at any age however to fly solo you must:

• Be of at least 16 years of age
• Hold at least a Class 2 medical certificate

Qualification and Licence Issue Requirements:

• Be of at least 17 years of age
• Achieve a pass in six aviation theory examinations
• At least 50hrs minimum practical flying time
• Pass a practical flight test

Theory Subjects:

• Flight Radio Telephony (FRTO Rating)
• Human Factors
• Aviation Air Law
• Meteorology
• Navigation and Flight Planning
• Aircraft Technical Knowledge

Flying Experience:

Here at Wakatipu Aero Club we train our pilots with the environment in mind, teaching you to safely and accurately pilot an aircraft around our spectacular and challenging surroundings.

Your training will include:

• at least 60 hours total flying experience
• 20 hours of Solo flying
• an introduction to Mountain Flying
• progress from Basic to more Advanced Flying skills
• cross country navigation experience around Southern New Zealand