TRAINING

Chief Flying Instructor - Graham Taberner

 

C.F.I. Graham has held a pilot's licence for 20 years. He holds a grade 1 Instructor Rating, Commercial Licence, Instrument Rating (SE), Twin Rating,  Night VFR Rating and Formation endorsement. He has over 2000 hours instruction time.

Graham has theory passes at all ATPL levels and was a Lecturer/Flying Instructor at the Australian Aviation College for 10 years.

He is a member of the Antique Aeroplane Association and owns a Beagle Airedale and an Auster. In his spare time he enjoys golf, outback camping, and gardening.

 

LEARNING TO FLY

Flying is one of the last great personal adventures available in our modern world. A Pilot’s Licence is a valuable qualification and learning to fly is an education in itself.

Light aircraft provide rapid, flexible and comfortable travel both for private and business purposes. Flying opens up whole new avenues and opportunities for others. As well, flying is a very satisfying recreation and a lot of fun.

Education Standard

There is no minimum education standard required to enrol for the Private Pilot Licence Course. Persons contemplating an aviation career should have a minimum of Year 12.

Insurance

Club aircraft are fully insured against damage and also for passenger and third party liability. Whilst, in all normal circumstances, this insurance also covers the pilots liabilities, the coverage does not extend to accidents resulting from fragrant breaches of regulations.

Safety

Flying is as safe as you like to make it. It is interesting to note that the flying training rate is second only to airline flying. Accidents due to mechanical failure are extremely rare. By far the largest percentage of accidents result in pilot error or poor decision making, hence the need for the very thorough training offered by Mid Murray Flying Club.

After Licence, Then What ??

Once you have graduated you may fly as much or as little as you like. The Club has a fleet of aircraft available for rental to qualified pilots. The Club maintains a regular flight checking procedure to ensure that its pilots maintain their skills and meet the statutory recent experience requirement.

Licence Renewal

Your medical certificate must be renewed each 4 years (if you are over 40 years - every 2 years) To retain your pilot in command privileges - Private pilots are required to undertake a Flight Review with a suitable qualified instructor at intervals of not less than two years. This is not a test in that you pass or fail, it is simply a review of your knowledge and skill.

Getting Started

Introductory Flight - You maybe unsure if you wish to Learn to Fly or maybe a little uncertain if flying will agree with you. So that you can carry out flying without committing yourself to beginning lessons, the Mid Murray Flying Club offers Trial Introductory Flights (TIF) where you, accompanied by a fully qualified Flying Instructor will get the opportunity to fly in one of our modern aircraft. This is a short flight to let you sample flying. Before the flight, your instructor will explain the features of the aircraft the layout of the cockpit and how the controls work. You will sit in the command seat and, after take off, the instructor will let you try out the controls yourself.

Enrolment

The enrolment steps for the PPL course are:

Aircrew Medical - Before you fly Solo, it is necessary to undertake an Aircrew Medical Examination with an approved Doctor. The medical standard for a Private Pilot License is not very demanding - it is virtually the same standard as required to drive a motor car. The Commercial Pilot Licence medical is a much higher standard.

Student Pilot Licence- You will require a Student Pilot Licence. Your Instructor will help you fill out the required form.

Pilot Instruction Kit- At this stage you should purchase a Pilot Instruction Kit which includes the reference material for your flying and theory training, and your Pilot’s log Book.

Join the Aero Club- to fly with the Mid Murray Flying Club you must join as a Flying Member. You Instructor will provide you with an application form.

What will my Licence Cost ?

As all people learn at a different pace, it is difficult to give an exact cost on learning to fly, however, following is an approximate pricing guide worked out on the average number of hours taken for a licence. Training flown in a Piper Warrior aircraft.

Start to General Flight Progress Test (GFPT)

Club Membership (Student)

Hours Flying Training @ $____

Student Pilot Kit & PA 28 Book

Student Pilot Licence issue

GFPT Flight Test

BAK Examination Fee

Pilot Licensing

Australia follows international standards for pilot licences. The licensing system is based on four licences:

Student Pilot Licence           Private Pilot Licence         

Commercial Pilot Licence     Air Transport Pilot Licence

To these are added specialist ratings for particular operations, these are:

Instrument Rating         Flight Instructor Rating     Agriculture Rating

Pilots are also required to hold endorsements on each type of aircraft flown. The requirements for the Student and Private Pilot Licence are outlined as follows.

Flying Time

The training for your Private Pilot’s Licence is broken into phases. These are:

Handling Phase

Training to Area Solo (Fly away from the airport and return on your own)

Training to General Flying Progress Test Level  (GFPT Fly locally with passengers)

Navigational Phase

Private Pilot Licence Navigational Training

The average flying time required to achieve the GFPT level is 20 hours, which must include 5 hours of solo. The actual time taken to reach the required standard varies depending on a number of factors, such as continuity of training, aptitude, etc. Flying lessons include time for a briefing and preparation and a post flight debriefing. The actual air time exercise is seldom longer than one hour during this phase. You should plan to spend 2 hours at the airport for each lesson.

The Navigational Training advance to the PPL consists of a minimum 20 hours training in pilot navigation techniques and airways procedures. The actual time required depends on ability and aptitude. The navigation exercises of this course are usually from   2 - 4 hours duration. With time taken for flight planning and preparation, stops enroute etc, each lesson in this phase takes from half to a full day.

Theory Training

Learning to fly involves theoretical as well as practical training. Whilst the theory is not difficult and is very interesting, there is quite an amount of it. The theory is every bit as important as the flying and must be approached in a positive manner.

Because your course is being run to suit your time availability, the theory requirements are handled by home study of the Pilots Instruction Kit supplemented by group lectures and or personal tuition.

Examinations and Flight Test

The examinations to be passed are:

Pre Solo Exam - This consists of an oral test with your Instructor.

Pre Area Solo Examination - This consist of a multiple choice written examination.

          Flight Radio Licence - An oral examination practical operating test conducted by your Instructor.

Basic Aeronautical Knowledge - A multiple choice written exam.

Private Pilot Examination - This is a multiple choice exam set by CASA.

All examination are taken at the Club.

Flight tests are conducted at the following stages:

End of Handling Phase (General Flying Progress Test)

End of Navigation Phase (Private Pilot Flight Test)

Test are conducted by the Chief Flying Instructor who is a CASA approved Flight Test Officer.

Full Time Courses

The Club also offers the following full time courses.

Take a holiday and learn to fly !!  

Fly Solo Course - A course to take you to that thrill of a life time, your first solo flight.

Pre requisite - Medical & Student Licence.

Private Pilot Licence Course - A full time course Private standard including practical and theory aspects. Pre requisite Medical & Student Licence.

Commercial Pilot Licence Course - See our Instructors for details.

Advanced Courses

The Club also provides courses for:

Conversions to more advanced aircraft types.

Night Flying Rating

Advanced Private Pilot

Certificates of Proficiency

Commercial Pilot’s Licence

Instrument Rating

GPS Courses

Low Level Endorsement

Trail Wheel Endorsement

Formation Endorsement

Aerobatics