The Private Pilot Licence (Helicopter) is the first basic course you will undertake, either as a licence for your future recreational flying or as the first step on your path to becoming a professional Commercial Pilot. The course consists of 50 hours of flying training which are usually in a Robinson 22.  Of the 50, at least 15 hours have to be solo.  You need a good knowledge of English and basic maths to be able to cope with the demands of the course. 

In addition to the practical flying hours, the student is required to attend groundschool lectures and then pass theoretical examinations.  The PPL(H)  will only be obtained once you have finished all of the flying hours to the required standard and passed all the exams.  Aptrac is a CAA-approved PPL examination centre so exams are written at the school.  The Private Pilot licence training is undertaken at our base in Port Elizabeth and should last 8 weeks. This is of course subject to your progress and the weather etc. 

On arrival in Port Elizabeth at the start of your course, you will undergo a CAA-required English Language Proficiency test and if successful, will then be taken for your pilot medical examination.  The minimum age for acquiring a PPL is 17, although a Student Pilot Licence can be obtained at 16. There is no upper age limit. Students will be provided with a full pilot kit containing all the books and equipment (including headset) necessary to complete the course and this is yours to keep at the end of your course.  

As a full-time student your flights and lectures will be scheduled for you and you have to be available at all times to attend as required.

You have to pass 8 exams for the PPL

• Air Law
• Principles of Flight
• Meteorology
• Flight Planning
• Human Performance
• Navigation
• Helicopter General (covering engines, airframes and instruments)
• Radiotelephony

All the above are CAA on-line, multiple choice examinations (written at Aptrac), with the exception of radio, which is written.  The pass mark for all subjects is 75%.  All examinations have to be passed at stages as advised during your course and have to be completed before you are recommended for your final flight tests.