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SydneyPrivate Pilot Licence
Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
Flexible learning to suit your lifestyle
*Based on 2 lessons per week. This self paced course can be fast-tracked by increasing your weekly lessons
Face-to-face
2
Hours of self study per week
Expand your horizons.
Open up possibilities with your Private Pilot Licence (PPL). Building on the fundamentals, the training in this course develops you as a navigational pilot where you will learn how to flight plan, conduct a cross country flight and arrive at the destination aerodrome safely.
Experience the freedom of flying anywhere in Australia for leisure or business with up to five passengers on board. Perhaps a family day trip to Mudgee for lunch at a winery? Or fly your colleagues over Sydney Harbour? These are just some of the possibilities when you have a Private Pilot Licence.
Upon successful completion of the Private Pilot Licence (PPL) course you will:
Be able to fly anywhere within Australia
Be able to fly in clear weather
Be able to fly during the day
Be able to pilot single engine aircraft
Hold the CASA Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
Internationally recognised licence
Is this course right for me?
Our self paced Private Pilot Licence (PPL) course is designed to fit the unique schedules of aspiring pilots.
SFC Graduate
Private Pilot
Course overview.
Hours
Hour
Hours
Months
Hours
Hours per week
Flying
Fuel
Landing fees
Briefings
Primary Instructor
SFC facilities
Member benefits
- Start anytime
*Estimated pay as you go price in the Piper Warrior is the syllabus is completed without any repeats.
Flying
Fuel
Landing fees
Briefings
Primary Instructor
SFC facilities
Member benefits
- Start anytime
*Estimated pay as you go price in the Archer TX is the syllabus is completed without any repeats.
Our guide offers an overview of our self paced courses, tailored to fit your lifestyle and allowing you to obtain your licence at a pace that suits you best.
Study Mode: Face-to-face
Location: Bankstown Aerodrome (Sydney, Australia)
Total course hours: 88 Hours
Duration: 6 months based on 2 lessons per week (2 hours study per week) | Self paced
Cost: AUD $45,000* in the Archer TX or AUD $37,800* in the Piper Warrior
*Estimated pay as you go price if the syllabus is completed without any repeats.
Fees: This course is self funded. Fees must be paid upfront per flight.
Schofields Flying Club Limited Trading as SFC
RTO 90866
Prerequisites:
17+ years old to sit your Private Pilot Licence Flight Test;
Able to speak and understand English Level 4;
Be able to pass a Class 2 Medical*.
*Class 2 Basic: An alternative to a full Class 2, conducted by a Medical Practitioner, easier to attain and cost effective. Although it has operational restrictions.
*Class 2: A medical conducted by a DAME (Designated Aviation Medical Examiner), which allows you to exercise the full privileges of your licence (RPL & PPL).
Core Units | Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
Lesson
Dual/Solo
Effects of Control
Dual
Straight & Level
Dual
Climbing & Descending
Dual
Turning
Dual
Stalling
Dual
Circuits x4
Dual
Circuits: Flapless & Go Arounds
Dual
Circuit Emergencies: EFATO
Dual
Circuit Emergencies: Glide Approaches
Dual
Circuits: Pre-Solo Check
Dual
Circuits: First Solo
Solo
Circuits: Second Solo Check
Dual
Circuits: Second Solo
Solo
Circuits: Third Solo Check
Dual
Circuits: Third Solo
Solo
Circuits: Solo
Solo
Circuits: Crosswind Operations
Dual
Training Area Familiarisation
Dual
Practice Forced Landings (PFL)
Dual
Steep Turns
Dual
Advanced Stalling
Dual
Training Area Check
Dual
Training Area Solo
Solo
Circuits: Short Field Operations
Dual
Basic Instrument Flight (BIF)
Dual
Basic Instrument Flight (BIF) Simulator
Dual
Training Area Solo 2
Solo
Precautionary Search and Landings (PSL)
Dual
Training Area Solo 3
Solo
Consolidation & Circuits
Dual
RPL Pre-Licence
Dual
RPL Flight Test
Dual
Navigation Ground Briefing 1
Briefing
Navigation Ground Briefing 2
Briefing
Dual Navigation 1
Dual
Dual Navigation 2
Dual
Dual Navigation 3
Dual
Dual Navigation 4 - GPS
Dual
Dual Navigation 5
Dual
Dual Navigation 6
Dual
Dual Navigation 7 - Pre Solo
Dual
Solo Navigation 1
Solo
Dual Navigation 8
Dual
Solo Navigation 2
Solo
Dual Navigation 9
Dual
PPL Knowledge Assessment
Dual Navigation 10
Dual
PPL Pre Licence
Dual
PPL Flight Test
Dual
Before undertaking your flight test to obtain your Private Pilot Licence (PPL), you must first sit your CASA Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) exam.
The exam will test your knowledge of the completed course units. You have 3.5 hours to complete the exam, and you must achieve at least 70%. The exam incurs an additional expense and costs approximately $199.
Reading these documents thoroughly will help you understand your rights and responsibilities, plan your academic journey effectively, and make the most of the resources and opportunities available at SFC.
This form is for eligible VET Student Loan students who are withdrawing or deferring from their course of Units of Study (UoS).
This document describes the SFC procedures for making and resolving complaints or grievances.
Before you provide us with any personal information, it's important you read and understand our Privacy Policy.
Let's outline the out-of-pocket expenses you can expect to incur while completing this course, ensuring you can make an informed decision about pursuing your passion for flying.
Support options
Third party assistance
Handypay
We understand that you may require financial support to complete your flight training journey. That's why we've teamed up with Handypay to offer fast, flexible and affordable payment plans to help you reach your aviation dreams sooner. Payment plans are now even easier with market leading rates, no exit fees and more.
Handypay offers:
Loan amounts from $2,001 - $75,000
Loan terms between 1-7 years
Repayment frequency of Weekly, Fortnightly or Monthly
No early repayment penalties
Funding approved within 24 hours
HandypayTM is a product of Our Money Market Lending Pty Ltd (ABN 64 605 231 669), an unrelated party of SFC from which SFC receives no commission, reward or inducement. As with any financial offering, interested students are encouraged to seek their own professional advice when considering such offerings.
Prior to commencement
SFC Starter Pack
SFC have partnered with Downunder Pilot Shop to create the SFC Starter Pack. A curated collection of products to ensure all students starting their training have everything they need.
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Fly now.
Pay later.
We understand that you may require financial support to complete your flight training journey. That's why we've teamed up with Handypay to offer fast, flexible and affordable payment plans to help you reach your aviation dreams sooner. Payment plans are now even easier with market leading rates, no exit fees and more.
Handypay offers:
Loan amounts from $2,001 - $75,000
Loan terms between 1-7 years
Repayment frequency of Weekly, Fortnightly or Monthly
No early repayment penalties
Funding approved within 24 hours
HandypayTM is a product of Our Money Market Lending Pty Ltd (ABN 64 605 231 669), an unrelated party of SFC from which SFC receives no commission, reward or inducement. As with any financial offering, interested students are encouraged to seek their own professional advice when considering such offerings.
How do I get started?
Learn to fly with the best. The SFC team are always looking for interested and ambitious students. Take the next step in your aviation career and apply for our Private Pilot Licence (PPL).
Applications for Private Pilot Flight Training are open year-round and you can start anytime.
A chance for you to visit the clubhouse and college campus and check out our training fleet in person. A Course Advisor will explain all relevant information about the Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and answer any questions you may have about our integrated training courses.
Club Membership
SFC is a non-for-profit flight school, and all students are required to hold a Full Club Membership. This will give you access to participate in flyaways, club events and discounts.
Application Form
To commence the Application Process, complete the SFC Application Form. This will hold your position in the course.
Allocation of Primary Instructor
Based on your availability, we will assign you a Primary Instructor for your training. Your Primary Instructor is your mentor throughout your training to help you achieve your goals.
Book in your first lessons
We will book in your induction and first 4 lessons to kick-start your training.
Our PPL training typically takes six months to complete based on two ground theory or flying lessons per week. Our flexible, self paced private pilot licence program can be fast-tracked if you choose to increase your weekly lessons, allowing you to take your first solo flight faster.
The course includes 66 flying hours, along with one hour in a flight simulator and 21 hours of theory training. Flying hours are designed to provide comprehensive flight training and navigation skills for aspiring pilots, fully preparing you for solo flight.
Yes, SFC offers year-round intakes for PPL training. Students can start their lessons anytime, making it convenient to align with your schedule and commitments.
Yes, SFC partners with Handypay to offer flexible payment plans. With competitive rates, you can access loan amounts up to $75,000, making it easier to achieve your aviation dreams.
Yes, the PPL course covers cross-country navigation training, teaching you how to plan and execute safe flights to various aerodromes across Australia.
The PPL Flight Test evaluates your ability to safely and confidently operate an aircraft in various scenarios. This includes demonstrating proficiency in:
• Pre-flight planning and checks.
• Navigation and cross-country flight execution.
• Emergency procedures and decision-making.
• Communication with air traffic control.
• Overall airmanship and adherence to safety regulations.
The test ensures that you have the skills and knowledge required to fly as a licenced private pilot in Australia.
The Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL) is suited for local, casual flying, while the Private Pilot Licence (PPL) offers expanded privileges for cross-country flights and carrying more passengers.
- Flying Range: RPL is limited to 25 nautical miles of your departure airport, while PPL allows flying anywhere in Australia
- Aircraft Type: RPL is limited to single-engine aircraft only. PPL covers a broader range of single-engine aircraft and allows additional endorsements and ratings, such as the Multi-Engine Instrument Rating.
- International Recognition: The RPL is not recognised overseas, while the PPL is accepted internationally.
A Private Pilot Licence is ideal for those seeking greater flexibility and opportunities in private aviation.
Attaining a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) does not allow you to fly commercially. To fly commercially, you will need to attain your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), which is also offered by SFC. Our Commercial Pilot Licence provides the necessary qualifications and training to pursue a professional career as a pilot.
To take the Private Pilot Licence (PPL) Flight Test, you must be at least 17 years old, hold a Class 1 or 2 Medical Certificate, and pass an English Language Test. You also need at least 40 flight hours, including practical flight training, solo flights, and navigation exercises.
Earning a PPL allows you to fly solo, carry passengers, and operate aircraft for private use. After obtaining your licence, you can pursue advanced ratings and further pilot training.
Training for a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) typically takes about three months after completing an RPL, assuming you fly two to three times per week. The actual flight test lasts around three hours and assesses skills in aircraft control, navigation, emergency procedures, and in-flight decision-making. Successfully passing the PPL Flight Test enables you to fly a wider range of aircraft and gain experience for commercial or advanced pilot training.
Want to fly across Australia?
Don't limit yourself to an RPL. Instead, explore our Private Instrument Rating (PIR) for fewer restrictions and greater freedom.
