RECREATIONAL PILOT LICENCE (RPL)
This is where it all begins the foundation of flight training, where you will follow the foot steps of countless pilots before you.
The Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL) gives you the privilege to fly as pilot in command of an aircraft (max 1500kg) with up to 3 passengers, within 50km of your training aerodrome.
The Recreational Pilot Licence is the first of the aviation licenses.
Most students conducting flight training are either aiming for the Private Pilot Training Course or a Commercial Pilot Training Course.
RECREATIONAL PILOT LICENCE COURSE
Below is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) syllabus for the issue of the RECREATIONAL PILOT LICENCE.
LESSON 1 (RPL)
Effect of Controls – To learn how to correctly use the aeroplanes primary and ancillary controls and under the direction of the flight instructor be able to perform basic flight manoeuvres.
LESSON 2 (RPL)
Straight & Level – To fly the aircraft S and L at normal, slow and fast cruise airspeeds, while maintaining a constant heading, altitude and with the aircraft in balance.
LESSON 3 (RPL)
Climbing – To be able to enter, maintain and level off from a climb on a constant heading, airspeed and with the aircraft in balance.
Descending – To learn how to enter and maintain a descent from S and L flight at different airspeeds, rates of descent using different power settings and return to S and L flight at a selected altitude.
LESSON 4 (RPL)
Turning – To learn the technique to be used to conduct a balanced turn at 30 degrees angle of bank onto specific headings while maintaining constant altitude. We also look at climbing and descending turns.
LESSON 5 (RPL)
Stalling – To learn the principles involved in stalling an aircraft, the factors affecting the stall and be able to recognise the actual stall and recover with a minimum height loss.
LESSON 6 (RPL)
Circuit Introduction – We combine all you have learned and introduce you to flying the circuit pattern where you practice your takeoff’s and landings.
LESSON 7 (RPL)
Circuits – Takeoff, upwind, crosswind, downwind, base (radio call), final, landing and up we go again. We continue circuits and refine our flying skills, especially the landings.
LESSON 8 (RPL)
Circuits – Flapless & Missed Approach – Simulate failure of the flap system in the aircraft and conduct missed approach’s also known as a go around.
LESSON 9 (RPL)
Circuit Emergencies – We simulate engine failures after takeoff and engine failure in the circuit and learn to make pilot in command decisions.
LESSON 10 (RPL)
Circuits – Pre-solo assessment – This is where you get to show us you know your stuff and ready to go.
LESSON 11 (RPL)
Circuit – First Solo – Your on your own kid. You will conduct one circuit pattern and officially join the ranks of having piloted an aircraft solo. You won’t forget this day.
LESSON 12 (RPL)
Circuit consolidation – Further refining your technique before sending you solo again
LESSON 13 (RPL)
Circuits – Solo – Off solo again but this time you get to complete more circuits which really boosts your confidence.
LESSON 14 (RPL)
Circuit consolidation – Further refining your technique before sending you solo again
LESSON 15 (RPL)
Circuits – Solo – One hour of solo circuits to consolidate all your previous training and meet your solo circuit requirements.
LESSON 16 (RPL)
Advanced Stalling – To learn the effects involved in stalling an aircraft in a climbing turn, with power on, flap selected and wing drop recovery with a minimum height loss.
LESSON 17 (RPL)
Forced Landings – We simulate an engine failure and look at how we set the aircraft up in the glide and carry out emergency checks.
LESSON 18 (RPL)
Steep Turns – We look at turning the aircraft at a greater angle & keeping the aircraft in balance.
LESSON 19 (RPL)
Crosswind Circuits – The wind doesn’t always favour our takeoff & landing direction. Using cross controls and a techniques known as crabbing will help.
LESSON 20 (RPL)
Pre-training are solo assessment – Take your instructor to and from the aerodrome and point out the training area boundaries, and complete some emergency exercises.
LESSON 21 (RPL)
First training area solo – On successful completion of you area solo assessment your instructor will then let you fly in the training are solo.
LESSON 22 (RPL)
Circuits Short Field T/O & Landing – We simulate takeoff/landings for airports with smaller runway lengths.
LESSON 23 (RPL)
Consolidation – Revision and a chance to work on your weaker points.
LESSON 24 (RPL)
Precautionary Search & Landing – If a time ever comes to put a healthy plane on the ground, then you need to complete a procedure to assess your chosen landing spot.
LESSON 25 (RPL)
Solo Consolidation – Opportunity to fly out to the training area and complete some exercises and consolidate what you have learnt.
LESSON 26 (RPL)
Basic Instrument Flight – We’ll put you under the hood and you will have no reference to the outside. You will learn to fly with sole reference to your instruments.
LESSON 27 (RPL)
Solo Consolidation – Opportunity to fly out to the training area and complete some exercises and consolidate what you have learnt.
LESSON 28 + 29 (RPL)
Solo Consolidation – Go solo to complete your 5 hours solo as part of the syllabus.
LESSON 30 (RPL)
Pre-Licence Assessment – Your instructor will brief you on the oral component of the test and put you through your paces in preparation for your flight test.
RPL Aeroplane Category Rating flight test
FLYING LESSONS MELBOURNE
Interair flying school provides a dynamic learning environment, combining instructor expertise and a strong student focus.
We have been providing flying lessons in Melbourne for over 20 years.
Our company mission is to provide excellence in aviation training by creating a learning environment that emphasis’s safety, continuous improvement while still having fun.
We aim to help you obtain a pilot licence and help you achieve it economically.
Based at Melbourne’s Essendon Airport from day one you will be learning to fly at a full radar air traffic controlled airport under the same safe environment and procedures used by passenger airliners.
DEDICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS
Interair’s flying instructors have a genuine passion for teaching, with thousands of hours of instructing experience. The experience is fed back into our training programs ensuring that you receive the highest standard of flight training possible while minimising your training costs.
RPL COURSE DURATION
25 Hours Dual
5 Hours Solo
note: minimum set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET YOUR RECREATIONAL PILOTS LICENCE?
For students considering a FULL TIME course we recommend a 4-6 WEEK time frame.
For students considering a PART TIME course we recommend a 4-6 MONTH time frame.
The duration of training does depend on the students ability and frequency of training. Full timers can expect to be at the airport 4-5 days a week. Part timers can expect to complete 1-2 lessons a week.
All of your training will be conducted with your own dedicated Flight Instructor. You will be guaranteed personalised attention throughout your training course.
RECREATIONAL PILOT LICENCE (RPL) COST
The recreational pilots licence cost is not based on the minimum set by CASA. Our course costs are based on a realistic expectation. The flying hours quoted for obtaining a licence are based on the average hours taken by most students and not the minimum hours. This obviously can vary depending on the student’s ability. There is no charge for ground briefings, both pre flight and post flight, you only pay for the flying time. There is no requirement to pay upfront, you pay as you go.
AIRCRAFT USED FOR RECREATIONAL PILOT LICENCE
We have a diverse fleet of training aircraft at Interair. With a variety of Cessna 172 aircraft, both analogue and glass cockpit options are used for our recreational pilot course. The Cessna 172 is one of the most popular and reliable training aircraft in the world.
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE
Interair has its own maintenance facility. All aircraft maintenance is performed in house, ensuring all aircraft are maintained to the highest possible safety standards.
The other benefit of an in-house maintenance facility is the ability for students to learn more about aircraft systems from our experienced engineers that love to share their knowledge.
Fore more information on the Recreational Pilot’s Licence or learning to fly as a student pilot please visit CASA.
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