For those of you who are learning to fly or private pilots, this is the
lens for you! Targeted in the main at UK residents, many resources are
identified for you on this page.
Aviation sites
- ukga.com
- The home of UK general aviation. Very friendly forum, and excellent tools, including a backup of your logbook!
- Airquiz.com
- Online practice PPL examinations for pilots. For JAR PPL, RT, and CAA IMC ratings.
- AOPA UK
- The Aircraft Owners' and Pilots' Association in the UK.
- CAA
- The UK Civil Aviation Authority
- Flyer Air Portal
- The online flyer magazine, with a forum, and some useful content.
- PPRuNe
- Professional Pilots' Rumour Network. A forum that isn't really a great deal of use for private pilots, unless your intention is to become professional, but even then, a lot of mudslinging goes on in this forum.
- Met Office
- Get aviation weather reports from this excellent resource. You have to register, but registration is free.
How to get your licence
A private pilot's licence (PPL) can be yours for the taking! If you're studying in the UK or abroad for a JAR PPL, you need the following:
- At least 45 hours of logged time in an aircraft, with you as a pilot under training or (while solo) captain.
- At least 10 hours of solo time in an aircraft. (Yes, you do fly solo before you get your licence!)
- At least five hours of solo time doing cross-country flights (flights leaving the vicinity of an airport qualify as cross-country flights).
- One qualifying cross-country flight, which is at least 150 nautical miles in length, and has two stops at airfields other than your main training airfield.
- Pass written multiple-choice exams on the following topics: air law and operational procedures; meteorology; flight performance and planning; human performance and limitations; aircraft general and principles of flight; navigation and radio navigation; radiotelephony communications.
- After all that is done, you have to pass a general flight test, which tests aircraft handling skills and the like!
Basic PPL study works
The Air Pilot's Manual (Air Pilots Manual 01)
Amazon Price: $35.32 (as of 10/06/2008)
Aviation Law and Meteorology (Air Pilot's Manual)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Air Navigation: Air Pilot's Manual (Air Pilot's Manual Series)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
The Air Pilot's Manual: The Aeroplane-Technical (Air Pilot's Manual Series)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Human Factors for Pilots
Amazon Price: $34.95 (as of 10/06/2008)
