Recreational Pilot Licence
A Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL) is the cornerstone privilege available to candidates who seek to pursue an interest in aviation. Candidates undertaking this course will learn the fundamentals of handling an aircraft along with aeronautical knowledge theory, providing the skills to safely operate an aircraft, carrying passengers throughout the local area.
Prerequisites
- Must be minimum of 16 years of age on completion of RPL course (candidates can start prior to reaching 16 years old)
- CASA Class 1, Class 2 or Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate (RAMPC) medical
- Ability to fluently speak and understand English
- A keen interest in learning to fly!
Overview
Complete a minimum of approximately 30 hours of flying training including:
- 25 hours dual training
- 5 hours solo training
Typically, each flying lesson is approximately 1 hour in duration and will consist of a 20-40 minute pre-flight briefing and a 5-15 minute post-flight debrief.
Students will undertake the following sequences during their course:
- Ab-inito Phase:
- Basic Aircraft Handling
- Slow Flight & Stalls
- Circuit Pattern Flying
- First Circuit Solo
- Advanced Phase:
- Steep Turns
- Crosswind Circuits
- Practice Forced Landings
- Precautionary Search & Landing
- Instrument Flying
- Short Takeoff & Landing
Duration
- Full time | 5 weeks, weather permitting
- Part time | As required (progress through syllabus at your own pace)
- Recommended minimum lesson frequency for part time training is 1 lesson per week
Theory
The RPL theory is learned concurrently with the RPL flying course. Most students choose to self-study at their leisure, although some of the course content is also covered during classroom briefings.
There are four multi choice exams to be completed at various stages of the RPL Course:
- Pre Solo multi choice Exam (20 questions)
- Radio Operators multi choice Exam (20 questions)
- Pre Area Solo multi choice Exam (20 questions)
- RPL theory multi choice Exam (50 questions)
Although some study is required to achieve success in these aviation exams, the academic requirements are such that the average person with a keen interest in their course won’t have any trouble succeeding.
Outcomes
On completion of the Recreational Pilot Licence Course, you will be able to:
- Act as pilot in command of an aeroplane weighing less than 1500kg
- Carry passengers on private flights
- Operate within 25 miles (46km) of the departure aerodrome, remaining outside of controlled airspace
- Operate airborne radio equipment in an aviation environment
- Certify an aeroplane is serviceable for flight
Endorsements
In addition to the core RPL privileges, candidates can complete further training to add the following endorsements to their RPL:
- Navigation: Fly beyond 25nm from the aerodrome of departure (within Australia)
- Controlled Airspace: Fly through controlled airspace
- Controlled Aerodrome: Land and depart from a controlled aerodrome
Members are billed for the flying time conducted during a lesson, measured on the aircraft’s VDO meter to the nearest 1/10th of an hour. Other costs may include Instructor briefing time before a flight or airport landing fees (Not at Redcliffe, but other aerodromes during navigation training).
Payment is required on completion of a lesson and the following methods of payment are accepted:
- EFTPOS
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Cash
- Bank Transfer (prior to flight)
Members may choose to pre-pay a component of their course for ease of billing, but this is not a requirement.
Next Steps
RPL Navigation Endorsement
Spread your wings and gain the skills to navigate anywhere in Australia
Private Pilot Licence
The no-holds-barred open Licence that is a launchpad into the world of advanced flying
Manual Propeller Pitch Control
Strap yourself into a complex aircraft for greater speed, efficiency and enjoyment in your flying