Flight Training
The dream of flight was once considered an unobtainable by man, something that was closer to myth and fantasy than reality, and all because we didn’t have wings to fly with. In this modern age where we now have man-made flying machines, commonly known as planes and helicopters, soaring through the air at impossible speeds is now commonplace, yet despite this, there is still a difference between “flying in a plane” and “flying a plane”. The learning process of flying an aircraft is considered to be one of the greatest experiences that one can go through, and there is an amazing sense of achievement that one earns when they first take off the ground. Some would-be pilots know from a young age that becoming a Pilot is their dream, while others don’t really grasp it until later in life, however once they do experience flight for the first time, it can change their perception of the world.
What is involved in becoming a Pilot?
Training to become, and eventually working as a Pilot is both a challenging and rewarding task. As a Pilot, you will learn and develop a whole new skill set that focuses and enhances your self-discipline, your hand-to-eye co-ordination and, most importantly, your procedural and critical thinking. It is a challenge of both mental and physical natures and not to be taken lightly, or on a whim, if you are considering becoming an airline, military pilot or are just looking to do it for fun.
What are the Requirements to become a Pilot?
To become a “Student” pilot you will first be required to take a Trial Instructional Flight at a licensed training organisation. After the initial trial, your instructor will make an assessment of how you handled the aircraft and your potential future in flying, along with several more lessons. Afterwards you will require approx. 10 to 15 hours of flight instruction before you will be considered “ready” to be able to fly Solo. Along with this are a number of requirements, including:
- Being over 16 years of age
- Have a solid grasp of the English language
- Required Medical examinations
- Obtain an Aviation Reference Number
After these steps have been completed you must pass a final exam in Air Law before you can be issued with a Student Pilot Licence.
How to Take Off!
There are several paths you can go after obtaining a Student Pilot Licence. Some people are content to fly as a leisure activity and most likely go on to obtaining a Private Pilot’s Licence. Most other pilots either look toward beginning careers in the Commercial Airline Industry, or to join one of the Air divisions of the Armed Forces of Australia. The requirements of entry for both potential career lines tend to be very stringent, with most Air Lines requiring specialised courses and University Degrees, along with hours beyond 250 hours before an applicant can be considered for a position. Most major airlines tend to refuse to take a Pilot that hasn’t had over a thousand hours’ worth of flight time on record. In comparison, most military postings will take you in straight away, with no prerequisite training needed as long as you meet a basic set of requirements. Training within the military however requires a total of four years of training before the applicant can be considered for a position as a pilot.
If you’re looking for more information on Aviation Schools and Flight Training, you can find plenty of additional information on AussieWeb.com.au.
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