Kangawallafox Flight School

A student pilot must be at least 15 years of age before they can fly solo, but training can start before this age.

A student pilot can complete up to 3hrs of training in a 3-month period using a free temporary RAAus membership. RAAus membership is then required to continue the training.

The minimum flight training required to attempt the RPC flight test is 20hrs.

Multiple-choice theory exams will be completed during the flight training process. These exams are required before a student can attempt the RPC flight test.

RPC holders can act as pilot-in-command (PIC) of a recreational aircraft within a 25NM radius of the departure field (46km). A passenger endorsement is required to carry a passenger. RPC holders can apply for a passenger endorsement once they have accrued 10hrs solo flight time.

A cross-country endorsement is required to fly further than 25NM from the departure field. Training time for this endorsement is in addition to the initial RPC training time. The minimum flight training required for the endorsement is 12hrs. A cross-country flight test can then be completed, which is typically 2hrs.

There are no minimum hours that must be flown each year to hold an RPC. An RPC holder is required to complete a Biennial Flight Review (BFR) every 2 years, to continue to utilise the privileges of their RPC. A BFR is completed with a flight instructor, to ensure the pilot is continuing to fly safely.

VFR – Visual Flight Rules: Flight during daylight hours using the horizon and ground features as the primary reference.

NVFR – Night Visual Flight Rules: Flight at night using the horizon and ground features as the primary reference.

IFR – Instrument Flight Rules: Flight using the aircraft instruments as the primary reference.

*Endorsements/ratings require additional training ($) before they can be issued and used. Examples include NVFR, IFR, cross-country, controlled airspace, retractable undercarriage, adjustable pitch propeller, tailwheel undercarriage, turbine engine, twin engine.

PPL automatically comes with cross-country and controlled airspace endorsements.

MTOW – Maximum Take-Off Weight: The maximum weight an aircraft can be loaded to for take-off, includes the weight of the empty aircraft + fuel + pilot + passengers + baggage.

A GA licence generally requires a medical to be completed with a GP or Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME). Different classes of medical allow different privileges. Example:

Class 5 self-declaration – VFR only, 1 passenger; 

Basic Class 2 – VFR only, 5 passengers.

RAAus requires applicants for the issue of an RPC to declare they have a health standard equivalent to that required for the issue of a private motor vehicle driver licence in Australia. Certain conditions may require a GP assessment e.g. Epilepsy; Diabetes (Type 1 or 2); A heart condition / disease or paralysis; Mental illness (medicated or otherwise); Becoming 75 years of age or older; Any other medically significant safety related condition.

A person who is colour-blind can still achieve an RPC/RPL/PPL, provided they are fit enough to hold a driver’s licence. Some limitations may apply to a PPL e.g. limited to day VFR flight.

An RPC pilot can apply for an RPL to be issued from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Click here to view the application form and requirements. Once an RPL is issued by CASA, the pilot will need to complete a Flight Review with a GA flight training school before it can be used.

“Persons undertaking flying training and other types of flying in recreational aeroplanes are advised that there are risks involved. These risks cannot be specifically quantified however; recreational aeroplanes used for pilot training are constructed, operated and maintained under exemptions from the regulations. These exemptions are from the regulations that apply to CASA registered aeroplanes. Whilst similar rule sets apply to our organisation and replace those that we are exempt from, it must be accepted that the overall safety of recreational flying is generally below the well-known commercial air transport standards in Australia.”