Learn To Fly

Here at Sport Aviation Academy you will master the skills of piloting a Light Aircraft while in the safe hands of a qualified instructor in a controlled learning environment.

Discover a whole new world as you take flight, and experience the freedom that only flying can bring.

Who Can Learn To Fly?

Anyone is able to start their flight training at Sport Aviation Academy  provided they are at least 15 years of age before their first solo and medically  fit to gain an Australian Motor Vehicle License. A responsible attitude is required as well as an adventurous spirit.

How Do I Start?

To start training with us at Sport Aviation Academy just apply for RAAus membership, then once approved you are officially a student pilot.

Training consists of a structured competency based training syllabus tailored to suit your special requirements. You will be taught all phases of flight such as taking off, climbing, turning, straight and level, stalling, descending and landing and much more.

You may select any of our courses or we can tailor make a course to suit you. 

If you require local accommodation during your training, try our Short Stay Accommodation Home.

How will I learn?

Our training syllabus broadly follows that set out in the CASA Day (VFR) Syllabus Aeroplanes.

Each lesson starts with a briefing, which can run from 10 minutes to an hour or more, depending on the subject to be covered. You will need to follow up with some reading: we use and recommend the Aviation Theory Centre Flight Training Manual, however other books, such as those from Bob Tait and Jim Davis, cover the same topics.

Following the theory lesson, we'll discuss the content of the practical flight.

The aim of each flight is to progressively build upon your skills until you can safely control the aircraft on your own. The sequence of lessons is:

• Effect of Primary Controls (elevator, ailerons & rudder)
• Effect of Seconday Controls (i.e. throttle, trim, carburetter heat)
• Straight & Level
• Climbing & Descending
• Medium Turns
• Climbing & Descending Turns
• Stalls
• Takeoff & Landing

We'll then start flying in the circuit, which brings together all of the skills learnt to date.  We'll add some Steep Turns, Advanced Stalls, Circuit Emergencies and Forced Landings (without Power) training during this phase.

Once we judge you capable, and after passing your Pre-Solo exam, we'll send you for your first solo flight!

Beyond Solo

To obtain your Restricted Pilot Certificate, you'll need to complete a minimum of five hours solo flight, and pass a flight test. There are also the following exams that you'll need to sit, all of which are set by RA Aus:

• Air Legislation
• Basic Aeronautical Knowledge
• Radio Procedures
• Human Factors (you can attend a course in place of sitting this exam).

Passenger Endorsement

On achievement of ten hours solo flight, you can then apply for a Passenger Endorsement. This will allow you to take family and friends for a fly.

Cross Country Endorsement

The Restricted Pilot Certificate limits you to flying within 25 nm of the originating aerodrome.  To go further, you'll need to complete a series of five cross-country ("Nav") flights - four with an instructor and one on your own - learning the necessary skills for navigating using Aeronautical Maps, obtaining and understanding the en-route weather, and use of an E6B manual flight computer. 

On completion of these flights, you'll need to pass the RA Aus Navigation and Meteorology exam, and pass a flight test.

Converting from a Current GFA or GA License

Converting from a current GFA or GA License couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is become a member of RAAus.

You will then need to do a minimum of 5 hours training in a Recreational Aircraft. The amount of hours you do depends on your experience and ability to handle the aircraft. The conversion course is purely competency based. 

Of the 5 hours minimum, at least 1 hour must be solo.

All your other ratings i.e. navigation, radio, etc carry over to these aircraft. The main differences with Sport and Recreational Aircraft is that they are lighter, have less inertia, and some have higher drag. 

You do not need a CASA Medical to fly Recreational Aircraft. However, you must meet the requirements to hold an Australian Drivers License.

Safety

All our aircraft are maintained to the highest of standards by a fully qualified and experienced level 3 engineer.

Our head instructor has 30 years aviation experience including General aviation, Gliding (also a glider instructor) and Sport aircraft.

Our airfield has three runways. The main runway is 1500m sealed and is surrounded by flat open country.

The airspace is uncluttered so there won’t be any disruptions to your training.

 

Want a PPL or CPL?

If your goal is to obtain a PPL, all training up to and including the Cross Country Endorsement counts towards the minimum hour requirements for a PPL. CAR 5.84(2) states "The 40 hours must be recognised flight time that was flown in a registered aeroplane, recognised aeroplane, helicopter, gyroplane, glider, power‑assisted sailplane or group A ultralight." 

Of the 200 hours required for a CPL, up to 100 hours may be obtained in an RA Aus ultralight aircraft.