Trial Introductory Flight (T.I.F)
The aim of a T.I.F is to give you an enjoyable hands-on experience. The lesson starts out with a briefing by your instructor, the briefing will entail the aircrafts controls and what they do, how to control the helicopter and; the type of flying that you will be doing.
After the briefing, you and your instructor will take to the air for your first lesson,your instructor will hand the controls over to you and then you will be in control of the helicopter. The instructor will guide you through an array of upper air manoeuvres.
The flight lasts for approximately 30 minutes and should you choose to go on with a licence it will count towards your flight time.
LICENCES
If you do decide to go on with your licence you need to choose to do either Private
or Commercial.
A private licence allows the pilot to carry passengers on flights anywhere in
and the private theory course.
A commercial licence allows you to be employed as a Pilot. The minimum requirement
is 105 hours and the commercial theory course.
Please find following a more detailed description for each licence.
FLIGHT TRAINING BREAKDOWN OF REQUIRED HOURS FOR
EACH STAGE OF A HELICOPTER LICENCE:
The following hours are a minimum Departmental requirement to obtain each stage of a
licence. The actual hours that it will take for a student to reach the minimum standard
depends on their ability at the time of training. Don't be disillusioned if some stages of
your training take longer, as it is the final result that we aim to achieve, not to push you
through your training only to be unprepared.
Students Pilot Licence (SPL)
Your Students Pilots Licence (SPL) will be issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
(CASA), so an application form will be issued to you and this is to be filled out (complete
with passport photographs) during the early stages of your training to give time for all
back ground checks to be completed prior to the issue. The issue of the SPL will take
around six weeks, and you cannot go solo without the licence being issued.
Aviation Reference Number (ARN) Application
An Aviation Reference Number (ARN) Application form is to be completed and returned
with the SPL Application to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) so you can be issued
with an ARN.
Aviation Security Check Application
You are required to have a Police Security Check to hold an aviation licence, so an Aviation
Security Check Application form will be issued for completion. This application will be
returned with the other paperwork to
for the required security checks.
Aviation Medical
An aviation medical is required during the early stages of your training, which is only to be
conducted by a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME). A list of local DAMES will be
issued at your request prior to booking in for the medical. There are two classes of
medicals, Class One and Class Two. A Class Two medical will cover you up to an
Unrestricted Private Licence, and the Class One is required to exercise the privileges of a
Commercial Licence (CPL) or Air Transport Licence (ATPL). It is recommended that if you
intend to training through to a CPL or ATPL, obtain a Class One medical, as the examination
covers more and could find any problems that may restrict you from holding a higher class
of licence.
General Flying Phase - GFPT
35 Hours Training
covering
Minimum 20 Hours Dual General Flying
&
Minimum 10 Hours Solo General Flying
as per Section E3.6 appendix 1 of the training syllabus.
Theory exams during this stage of training are conducted in house.
These exams include:
Pre-First Solo Air Legislation Exam
Pre-Area Solo Air Legislation Exam
Flight Radio Quiz
Basic Aeronautical Knowledge Exam
Engineering Paper
Private Flying Phase -
50 Hours Total
(Including GFPT Training)
covering
Minimum 9 Hours Dual Navigation
&
Minimum 6 Hours Solo Navigation
as per section E3.6 appendix 2 of the training syllabus
In this area of your training, you will learn more on Navigation preparation, Flight Planning,
Airspace Rules and Regulations, Human Performance, Performance & Operations and
Meteorology. There are generally several briefs prior to the first navigational exercise, to
prepare you for the increased workload during the flight.
The private theory exam for the Unrestricted Licence is a CASA exam, which can be
conducted in house. It is approx a 3.5 hour cyber exam comprising of all theoretical areas
of your training. The private theory exam has to be completed prior to your first solo
cross-country. There is no requirement to book ahead for the private exam. The private
exam will be superseded by conducting the seven commercial exams prior to this stage of
your training covered in the commercial phase).
38 Hours Total
(Including GFPT Training)
covering
Minimum 3 Hours Dual Navigation
Commercial Flying Phase
Nil Fixed Wing Conversion
125 Hours Total (105-Special Training Course)
(Including
This Commercial phase of your training expands upon your previous
training, as well as covering some additional areas of training.
Low Level
Pinnacle/Ridgeline Operations
Sling Load Operations
Photography Flying
The flight time must include:
a. At least 40 hours of flight time in dual flying; and
b. At least 25 hours of general flight time as pilot in command;and
c. At least 25 hours of cross-country flight time that includes at least
10 hours of flight time as pilot in command.
PPL (A) Conversion
80 Hours Total (70 Hours-Special Training Course)
(Including PPL Training)
This commercial phase of your training expands upon your previous training,
as well as covering some additional areas of training.
Low Level
Pinnacle/Ridgeline Operations
Sling Load Operations
Photography Flying
The flight time must include:
a. At least 30 hours of flight time in dual flying; and
b. At least 20 hours of general flight time as pilot in command; and
c. At least 15 hours of cross country flight time that includes at least
5 hours of flight time as pilot in command.
CPL (A) Conversion
70 Hours Total (60 Hours-Special Training Course)
(Including PPL Training)
This comercial phase of your training expands upon your previous training, as well as
covering some additional areas of training.
Low Level
Pinnacle/Ridgeline Operations
Sling Load Operations
Photography Flying
The flight time must include:
a. At least 30 hours of flight time in dual flying; and
b. At least 20 hours of general flight time as pilot in command; and
c. At least 5 hours of cross-country flight time that includes at least 3 hours of flight
time as pilot in command.
The seven theory exams during this stage of your training are conducted at an approved
CASA theory centre. You will be required to book ahead on the exam website for a slot on
each sitting. The site will inform you of the requirements and items you can take into the
exam room.
It is recommended that when you purchase your theory kit, you get acquainted with it then
study one subject at a time, then sit that exam prior to moving on to the next subject. The
study guide for the teory kit will recommend the best approach for you to take.
The Commercial exams include:
Meteorology (CMET)
Navigation (CNAV)
Human Factors (CHUF)
Flight Rules & Air Law (CLWH)
Operations, Performance & Flight Planning (CFPH)
Aerodynamics (CADH)
Aircraft General Knowledge (CSYH)
Special Training Course is a CASA approved course that states; if the student completes
the final 30 hours of the course within a period of 3 consecutive calendar months, they
will be eligible to be covered under CAR 5.127 (6).