The Private Pilot Licence (PPL)

Let’s talk about the PPL. The PPL is the first licence (other than the student pilot’s licence) that the young aviator will accomplish on their journey to becoming a professional pilot. Many pilots will stop after completing this licence, as this enables them to operate aircraft independently, and even carry passengers. They cannot however, receive any remuneration for such flying, or pursue flying as a career. This requires a substantially more difficult licence, the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), in order to carry out.

I am going to cover each type of licence, individually, in different parts.   

In part I, I am going to cover the theoretical examinations required to complete your Private Pilot’s Licence. When I completed my PPL, back in 2006, I had to write and pass 8 examinations that I have listed below.

(Note – Aircraft Technical & General, Flight Performance & Planning, and Principles of Flight all have both (Aeroplane) and (Helicopter) versions, depending on what route you have chosen to follow). To my knowledge, the same theoretical syllabus is still currently required for pilots in South Africa today, and a final score of at least 70% is required in order to pass each of them individually. I have made a reference to the Avex Air Training study manuals, as these are the notes that I personally used for my pilot studies:

Module 1)     Aircraft Technical & General (Aeroplane) / (Helicopter)

Module 2)     Principles of Flight (Aeroplane) / (Helicopter)

Module 3)     Flight Planning & Performance (Aeroplane) / (Helicopter)

Module 4)     Human Performance & Limitations

Module 5)     Meteorology

Module 6)     Navigation

Module 7)     Air Law

Module 8)     Radio Operations for restricted radio licence

Each of these modules will be explained in further detail, in my next entry.