Basic  Qualifications        

There are currently two types of private pilot's licence which are recognised in the UK and both of these can be completed with Tayside Aviation: 

NPPL

National Private Pilot's Licence

This is a licence that is recognised in the UK only and entitles the holder to fly for pleasure, either solo or with passengers, in a single engined light aircraft between the hours of daylight and within sight of land.  

PPL

Private Pilot's Licence

This licence is recognised in Europe and, like the NPPL, entitles the holder to fly for pleasure, either solo or with passengers, in a single engined light aircraft between the hours of daylight and within sight of land.

Main differences

The medical required for an NPPL is less rigorous than that required for a PPL.  However, the holder of a PPL can attain additional qualifications and ratings, not available to the NPPL holder, that will significantly broaden the scope of his or her flying (see below).

The Requirements

Broadly speaking the basic requirements are:                        

Minimum age

There is no minimum age to start flying

You have to be 14 years of age for hours to count towards your PPL/NPPL licence

You have to be 16 years of age to fly solo

You have to be 17 years of age to complete the licence        

Maximum age

There is no maximum age to start training or to fly solo or with passengers          

Medical

To fly solo for NPPL you require a  DVLA Group1 , you require the same to fly with passengers

To fly solo for PPL you require a Class Two, you also require this tio fly with passengers                 

Beyond the PPL

A holder of a PPL can progress to attain further qualifications in the form of  a Night Rating (to allow flight at night), an IMC (qualification to allow limited flight in Instrument Meteorological Conditions, ie bad weather)  and the AOPA Aerobatics  Certificate.  Each of these qualifications can be taken with Tayside Aviation.  Please contact us for details.

Commercial Flying

For those wishing to pursue a career in flying, the next qualifications after the PPL are the CPL/ ATPL (Commercial Pilot's Licence plus the Airline Transport Pilot's exams), the IR (Instrument Rating) and the MCC (Multi Crew Cooperation). In addition, most airlines are looking for actual flying experience (often in excess of 1000 hours).  Anyone considering the commercial route can be looking at a total cost of between £40,000 and £60,000.  Many people go on to take a Flying Instructor qualification and work with a training organisation such as Tayside Aviation in order to build their flying hours while being paid.