Private Pilots seek to explore the blue yonder either as a hobby or a stepping stone to becoming a commercial pilot. They invest precious time, money and energy to fly above the earth, for the sky is not the limit. Continue Reading
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Explore Career Private Pilots seek to explore the blue yonder either as a hobby or a stepping stone to becoming a commercial pilot. They invest precious time, money and energy to fly above the earth, for the sky is not the limit.
What are the typical responsibilities of a Private Pilot?
A Private Pilot would typically need to:
Private Pilots spend the better part of their workday getting ready to fly or flying. Subsequently, their work environment would comprise the airports at their starting and destination points and their aircraft.
A Private Pilot’s work schedule is pretty flexible, seeing as it is not a formal job. However, you will need to ensure that you do not work more than eight hours a day and take time off regularly, just as the commercial pilots do.
Private Pilots can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting customers directly, using job search platforms and leveraging social media. By and large, you cannot be hired or paid on a PPL. However, you may be able to undertake aviation-related activities such as towing gliders or selling aircraft. Your job may entail using your plane for business.
Private Pilots are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations, such as The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, are crucial for Private Pilots interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
You will gain optimal benefit from your tasks outside of the classroom when they line up perfectly with your lessons inside it. You may get to hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they manage to turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.
Previous career experience as a flight engineer will also add value to your resume. Read about the profession and interview/shadow experts working as pilots to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers. Most schools are happy to help you gain valuable insight about the process from their members and students.
Most Private Pilots hold a bachelor’s degree in aviation, business or aerospace engineering, although a few have an associate degree in these fields.
To obtain the all-important licensure, you will need to attend an accredited flight school where most of the training happens on the ground, in a classroom setting. Visit some schools, talk to the staff and instructors, ask questions and tour the facilities and aircraft before deciding on the most suitable option. You can attend either an approved training organisation (ATO) or a declared training organisation (DTO).
DTOs are typically smaller entities that train students to acquire the simpler LAPL (Light Aircraft Pilots License), specific to Europe or the globally-recognised PPL(Private Pilots License). They offer training of limited ratings such as night or aerobatics. ATOs are qualified to train students on twin-engine aircraft and instructor and instrument ratings, in addition to all the training offered by DTOs. Some ATOs can also help students acquire commercial pilot licenses.
Either way, you will learn from books, watch educational videos and take notes to excel once you are in the cockpit. The training is most likely to be expensive but will prove a wise investment. If you wish to learn from an instructor instead of joining a formal flight school, make sure to find a well-known instructor whose plan and method for teaching will teach you all that is important in a cost-effective manner.
There is zero room for error in-flight. You will learn to use’ radio talk’ consistently to communicate effectively with other pilots and ground control and keep yourself and others safe. You will also learn to quickly decipher textual weather - an alphanumeric code that will inform you about weather conditions in your area.
Students become familiar with aerodynamics and understand how to find the right glide speed to reduce fuel consumption, turbulence and wear & tear so precious resources are maximised. Seasoned instructors help them learn how to comply with confusing and contradictory but essential aviation laws so their domestic and international flights do not end in a mishap.
In addition, aspiring Private Pilots memorise aerospace systems to apply specific weather minimums at various altitudes and various times of the day. They will also get to know their aircraft inside out - how the plane works, the mechanisms involved in flying, what can go wrong, how to compensate when things go wrong, how to take it apart and put it back together and how to repair the damage.
Last but not least, gain fluency in English and another universally popular language. You would be able to do so in high school, where you can also focus on math, physics, public speaking and business studies.
Prospective Private Pilots may need to obtain a student pilot certificate from an authorised local civil aviation agency before flying solo as part of their training. Prerequisites include appropriate documentation and a medical exam by an approved aeromedical examiner.
The medical exam is pretty simple. However, to avoid being denied a medical certificate, students must understand its scope before scheduling an appointment and seek clarity on any health concerns, underlying conditions or regular medications.
Now begins the preparation for the popular Private Pilot License (PPL) or Private Pilot Certificate. Your instructor will have you take the flight controls from day one while preparing you for the written test. A formal flight school may also include a ground school to learn the in a traditional classroom setting. Online courses will allow you to self-study and learn at your own pace.
The time to earn a PPL or PPC ranges from a few months to a few years, based on the local weather, finances, ready access to a training program and how often the student can fly.
Usually, students at least 17 years old and fluent in English can take the written knowledge test by appointment at an approved testing facility. Prerequisites include a student pilot/sport pilot/recreational pilot certificate, finishing ground school either independently or as part of a class and submitting an endorsement from their instructor or course provider.
After passing the written test, you must accumulate specific flying hours and meet all other aeronautical experience conditions to apply for the practical test comprising oral and flight portions. The specific requirements may vary slightly across countries. Still, students would usually need to acquire at least 40 hours of flying time, including 10 hours of solo flying and complete a solo cross-country flight.
On the day of the final exam, called a check-ride, an approved examiner will first question you in detail about topics ranging from aircraft systems to rules and regulations. Once you pass the ground exam, you will successfully demonstrate your skill in small aircraft manoeuvres, navigation, emergency procedures and cross-country flight planning.
The PPL or PPC will allow you to fly just about any aircraft (subject to appropriate ratings) at any time of the day or night, in various airspaces, with no distance restrictions.
A PPL will enable you to fly to the most commonplace or exotic destinations, provided you understand and adhere to your destination’s rules and regulations. Most Private Pilots fly single-engine aircraft. You can go further and learn to fly aircraft with more than one engine or different types of aircraft such as seaplanes, get an instrument rating or take up aerobatics. You will be awed by the fact that even the sky is not the limit.
Private Pilots can aspire to be employed as Aircraft Salesmen or act as Test Pilots once they meet the essential prerequisites. Towing gliders is an additional option.
If wishful of taking up mentoring and teaching, you can undergo further training to be employed as an approved aviation Ground Inspector. Acquiring this license is the first step to becoming a Flight Instructor. It is also possible to spread your wings even further and become a Commercial Pilot.
Candidates with an accredited PPL and a passion for flying have the best prospects.
Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Private Pilot build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning.
Although many individuals seek the PPL as a hobby or sport, it helps them gain the essential knowledge and skills for more sophisticated aircraft pilot training, leading to a lucrative job.
Join flying clubs to save on services and maintenance. Some clubs can negotiate lower rates on supplies and spread out particular costs among many members, helping them save on ownership and operations. Others give you exclusive access to job listings and content to help you make the most of your license.
Individuals who wish to gain employment as an Aircraft Salesman or Test Pilot may need to accumulate at least 200 hours of flying time. Applicants to a test pilot’s job may need to meet other requirements. Get an accredited aviation Ground Inspector certificate.
Private PIlots who wish to acquire a Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL) or Air Transport Pilot’s License (ATPL) can undertake modular training courses, which can be completed in flexible segments once they acquire around 150 hours of flying experience.
CPD allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge. It also enables the regular renewal of PPLs. In addition, you may need to renew your medical certificate every two years if you are above 40 years of age.
Plan to attend regional, national and international aviation festivals that are part fly-in, part industry trade show and part airshow. You will get to see planes from diverse sectors of aviation and meet pilots from all over the globe. Seminars to teach you new skills and a myriad of pilot toys are additional reasons to attend these festivals.
Be on the lookout for aerobatic competitions as well.
Night Flight To Venus?
Night flights afford a marvellous view of the world from above, especially of cities.
Which Rating Would You Aim For?
Private Pilots can fly any aircraft, provided they are appropriately rated - they have trained successfully in a specific category and class rating of aircraft. Aeroplane or helicopter would come under ‘category’ while ‘class rating’ would include single-engine land, meaning the plane has one engine and can operate only on land.
Before You Pay The Fees
Most flying schools offer a discount to students who pay a specific amount ‘upfront.’ It could help you save money but consider the consequences if the school or club ceases trading.
Payment via credit card will usually protect the payment up to a certain amount; however, check with your credit card provider whether the total cost of training falls within the range of protection offered in your credit card contract. Cheque or bank transfer payments may result in a complete loss of money.
Some students may set up an escrow account that releases funds to the ATO/DTO on a predetermined schedule and so pay only for the training that has been provided. Others pay per lesson to minimise their financial exposure and have the option to stop their training or change schools at any point.
Ways in Which a PPL Proves Handy
A private pilot’s license will help you become a tour guide, conduct charter flights, join acrobatic shows, build new planes, restore classic planes, explore ‘uncharted’ aerial territory, transport the sick and assist ‘search and rescue’ in saving lives.
Charity Begins At Home
Private Pilots can use their aircraft to fly family and friends. They can also donate their time to charity flying. You could work with charities that provide flights to people who need medical care elsewhere or help move rescue pets to their forever homes. Environmental charities might need your assistance in conducting survey flights or transporting scientists.
Effective Use of “Radio Talk”
A few important rules to keep in mind while using radio talk - listen before you transmit, think out what you’re going to say before you begin, and be alert to potential failed transmission so you can keep yourself and others safe.
METAR or PIREP?
The two most common textual weather coding systems you will work with are METAR or PIREP. METAR is a weather report received hourly or half-hourly, while PIREP is a log of the actual conditions encountered by your aircraft during flight.
Private Pilots consider their profession an extremely satisfying one. Granted, it doesn’t help pay the bills. However, to be able to use your aeroplane to ferry your family, friends or an individual/group/animals in need to their destination across sunny or starry skies is what will propel you to take the leap and acquire a private pilot license.
“There's only one job in this world that gives you an office in the sky, and that is pilot.”
― Mohith Agadi
Private Pilots can build a turbocharged, carbon-fibre aeroplane in about two weeks with the help of commercial companies that offer fast and efficient assistance in personal plane building.
What do Private Pilots do?
A Private Pilot would typically need to:
Accredited
$40,427
