Why do your PPL with Ultimate High?
As a result of the Ultimate High approach, you are far more likely to reach a suitable standard and attain your PPL close to the minimum hours (JAR minimum is 45 hours), unlike most other schools where the 'norm' is 65 hours and the average closer to 85. Here are some reasons below….
Our professional experienced instructors
We use ex-military pilots, operating to the same professional standards used by the RAF. Our instructors work for Ultimate High because they are enthusiastic and enjoy teaching, rather than being 'hours builders' filling time at a flying school until they get a right hand seat slot with an airline. As a result, students receive an extremely high standard of training.
All of our students benefit from a huge amount of personal attention, including extremely detailed pre- and post-flight briefs, that ensure that the airborne time is used to the maximum benefit to the student.
Time taken to attain the PPL is never guaranteed and depends on aptitude and continuity, We aim for two hour-long trips per day, along with associated briefing and debriefing on the ground. We will push you hard, but you will emerge a far superior pilot than your peers who attend the local flying club.
Capability of the Bulldog Aircraft
Training takes place in the Bulldog which is far more capable than most PPL training aircraft, and hence students spend far less time in the climb getting up to the height required for the exercise. More importantly, you will be flying a fully aerobatic aircraft which means that you can comfortably explore the limits of the flight envelope with complete safety, including advanced stalling, spinning, extreme Unusual Positions and an introduction to aerobatics. A number of these are not PPL requirements, but we are in the business of turning out safe and competent pilots and feel strongly that all PPLs should have these skills.
There is a big advantage to having your lessons over as short a time frame as possible; taking a week or two of solid lessons at the beginning of your flying training should pay substantial dividends and reduce the amount of time spent re-learning points. You should really fly at least twice a week for continuity.
It is no problem to start training at another flying school and complete the final stages of your PPL training with Ultimate High. Many students do the first 20 or so hours at another flying school and then complete the rest of their PPL training with us.
If this is for you, terrific, we look forward to flying with you! If it isn't for you, no problem whatsoever, we wish you the very best with your PPL training, and perhaps you might like to think about our Advanced PPL course once you have your licence - so that we can get you up to the correct standard!
What does it cost?
Our PPL rate is the same as our Advanced PPL rate for block bookings of 10 hours or more paid for upfront. This includes instructor fees, landing fees/touch and goes (not inconsiderable when you are learning), VAT, club membership and "per sortie" ground instruction. You may find our hourly rates expensive compared to many flying schools but doing your PPL with us may end up costing you less in the long run.
Preparation - prior to starting your PPL
You have to sit six exams prior to sitting your final PPL flight test, and the earlier you get these out of the way the better! There are some very good CD-ROMs available from Oxford Aviation Training, but most students use the revised and updated Trevor Thom Air Pilot's manuals 1-7 which are pretty good. Get them all except Vol 5 Radio Navigation/Instrument Flying, which you don't really need until you get to the IMC and Night ratings. An alternative to Vol 7 Radio Telephony is to get a copy of CAP413, which is the official CAA manual; suggest that you take a look at both and see which style you prefer.
In terms of exam sequence, you will need the Air Law exam passed before your first solo, and the Nav exam passed before your first solo navigation exercise, although you should ideally have done it before you start your nav training. Many people recommend the PPL Confuser as preparation for the PPL exams, which gives questions in the style that you can expect (and many questions very similar, or identical, to the exams themselves).
In terms of kit requirements, you will also need a kneepad and a log book for your early flights. Kneepads tend to be something of a personal choice; as with most things, Transair has a huge range, and most pilot shops will also have quite a choice.
Ultimate High will supply the rest of your requirements (on loan!) - an excellent ANR Headset, flying suit, flying gloves, aeroplane - and excellent instruction!
Prior to starting Navigation Training you will need the following kit:
- Nav computer (beware the name - it's just a circular slide-rule!)
- 16" Scale Nav ruler
- Protractor (usually 5" Square)
- Set of 4 Lumicolour Chart Market Pen set
- 1:500,000 CAA Chart (Southern are for us)
- Stopwatch - if you have a clear one on your wrist watch then it may be sufficient, otherwise the large Digital stopwatches are the easiest to use.
Additional costs include:
7 Ground Examinations - £30 each
Skills Test (1.5 hours of aircraft hire plus examiner fee)
Ground school training @ £30 per hour
Practical RT test - approx £50
CAA issue fee - approx £60
Training Equipment/books Kit can be purchased from the outlets below. Some have special offers which include all the recommended kit, with a substantial saving on the price of individual items.
Transair www.transair.co.uk
Pooleys www.pooleys.co.uk
Pilotweb www.pilotweb.co.uk
Post PPL - The world is your lobster! We offer many additional courses.