L3Harris Airline Academy
How to become a private pilot
Are you looking at how to become a private pilot? At L3Harris Airline Academy, we can help you take the first steps to fulfill your passion for flying.
Overview
Learning to fly and obtaining your Private Pilot Licence (PPL) could be one of the most rewarding challenges you set out to achieve. Not only will becoming a private pilot give you the freedom to command a private small or ‘light’ aircraft with non-commercial passengers, it also lets you visit new places near and far!
What’s more, becoming a private pilot can be a stepping stone to becoming a commercial airline pilot. If after obtaining your PPL, you decide flying for one of the UK or EU’s most iconic airlines is for you, you could embark on our Modular ATPL programme. This enables you to pay and train for your ATPL qualification in bitesize chunks.
How long does it take to become a private pilot?
With L3Harris, your Private Pilot Licence will be split in to 45 hours of flight training, 5 hours of Night Rating as well as PPL theory examinations.
Stage 1: Experience a trial flight
If you have never flown a small aircraft before, now is the time to arrange a trial flight with an instructor. This will help you find out whether you enjoy flying and want to take the leap of faith and start the process to obtaining your PPL.
Contact us
Stage 2: Research Private Pilot Licence (PPL) training programmes
After you have experienced a trial flight, research Private Pilot Licence (PPL) training programmes.
With many flight schools to choose from, it is important to select an academy that will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to pilot a private aircraft competently. Not forgetting, it is important your flight school offers access to state-of-the-art facilities as well as experienced instructors.
At L3Harris Airline Academy, cadets have the unique opportunity to earn their UKCAA or EASA PPL from our Sanford Flight Academy in Orlando, Florida - with travel and accommodation included! Cadets will also complete Night Rating which enables pilots to fly at night exercising visual flight rules (VFR).
Private Pilot Licence courseStage 3: Entry requirements
To apply for our Private Pilot Licence course, you must meet the following criteria:
Age and height
- 17+ to submit an application. 18+ to commence training
- Height between 5 ft. 2 in. (157 cm) and 6 ft. 3 in. (191 cm). Applicants outside of this may still apply but will need an ergonomic assessment
Language
- Fluent in English (spoken and written)
- Non-native English speakers must achieve level 5.5 individual and overall in IELTS or equivalent ICAO level 4 prior to start of training
Visas
- If required, obtain / be able to obtain M-1 Student Visa for your flight training in the U.S.A.
Medical
- Obtain / be able to obtain a UKCAA or EASA unrestricted Class 2 Medical depending on your chosen route. Read our guide here
Selection
- Cut-e testing and competency interview
- Selection is mandatory and consists of technical and non-technical elements. The technical elements will test skills such as numeracy and aptitude, with the non-technical element in the form of a competency interview
Get in touch today and start your journey!
Do you have any questions about starting your pilot training journey at L3Harris Airline Academy? Please send us a message and our Airline Pilot Careers Advice Team will be happy to assist.
Stage 4: Training
PPL theory
The first step in your training to become a private pilot is to complete 9 PPL theoretical subjects with exams. Your PPL theory aims to equip you with the foundational knowledge of aviation. The nine theoretical subjects include:
1. Air Law
2. Operational Procedures
3. Human Performance
4. Navigation
5. Meteorology
6. Communications
7. Aircraft General Knowledge
8. Principles of Flight
9. Flight Performance & Planning
How many flight hours are needed to become a private pilot?
Your flight training will last approximately 15 weeks and consist of 50 hours in a single-engine aircraft.
Your training will be completed at our flight school in Orlando, Florida.
Stage 5: Congratulations, you’ve become a private pilot!
Congratulations, you have completed your PPL training. Upon successful graduation from the programme you will obtain:
- PPL
- 50 hours total in a single-engine aircraft
- Night Rating
You can now take your passion for flying to the sky!
Modular ATPLStage 6: What next?
As previously discussed, your PPL training with L3Harris Airline Academy includes Night Rating which will enable you to use your PPL at night using visual flight rules (VFR). This allows you to begin flying as a hobby
You could also use your PPL training as a stepping stone towards further licences and ratings.
- Integrated ATPL training: This is a structured and direct route to securing your frozen ATPL. Our Integrated ATPL course is designed to prepare you for the role of Co-Pilot with a global airline. The course is approximately 70 weeks long and can be completed in the UK or the EU depending on where you want to train and licence you wish to obtain
- Hours Building: Should you wish to take the next steps towards a Commercial Pilot Licence or Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), the next step is to reach 150 hours flight time. We also offer the chance for you to combine a PPL and Hours Building course for a discounted rate
Stage 6: What next?
Add 'ratings' to your PPL
Once you have completed your PPL theory and flight training, you may want to consider adding some ‘ratings’ to your PPL.
As previously discussed, your PPL training with L3Harris Airline Academy includes Night Rating which will enable you to use your PPL at night using visual flight rules (VFR). However, there are a variety of ratings to choose from, the common being:
- Instrument Rating Restricted (IRR): The Instrument Rating Restricted (IRR) is the next step after you’ve gained your PPL. This rating allows you to fly in adverse weather conditions restricted to UK airspace
- Instrument Rating (IR): Instrument rating attached to your licence will enable you to fly under instrument flight rules. This means you will be able to fly in cloud and other circumstances of reduced visibility
- Competency-Based Instrument Rating (CBIR): Competency-Based Instrument Rating enables experienced pilots to train for their full IR in a way that takes into consideration their previous experience
Continue onto commercial flight training (optional!)
Once you’ve become a private pilot you may want to take this to the next level and embark on a journey to becoming a commercial airline pilot.
There are two routes following your PPL to become a commercial pilot, these include:
- Integrated ATPL training: This is a structured and direct route to securing your frozen ATPL. Our Integrated ATPL course is designed to prepare you for the role of Co-Pilot with a global airline. The course is approximately 70 weeks long and can be completed in the UK or the EU depending on where you want to train and licence you wish to obtain
- Modular ATPL training: This is a highly flexible route to securing your frozen ATPL. You can train to become a commercial airline pilot in bitesize chunks and pay as you train. This is greater for cadets which have other commitments and need to work alongside their training
Contact us
Please complete the form below to contact our team for more information on our Airline Academy.