OUR STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS TO BECOMING A PILOT
Why become a pilot?
There are over 10,000 recreational pilots in Australia, the most there has ever been. These lucky 10,000 Australians have found their “why” to become a pilot and now have a recreational pilot’s certificate so they can fly for fun.
With safer aircraft and advanced training tools, more people are taking up flying for recreation or to start their aviation careers. Well, at least those who know about it.
Flying an aeroplane is easier than most people think and we are confident that we can teach anyone to fly.
The Stick ‘n Rudder Step-by-Step Process
Step 1 – Contact Us
Contact us or come to our Caboolture location for a chat at our espresso bar and we’ll explain what’s involved in learning to fly. Most importantly we’ll give you a roadmap that outlines how we’ll guide you and tailor your training to achieve your flying goals.
Your flying goals could be anything including:
- Enjoying the amazing views from above with a friend
- Owning your own aircraft
- Challenging yourself with the technical aspects of bush flying
- Aspiring to become a professional pilot
Trial Flight: Why not come try before you buy?
Our Trial Introductory Flight (TIF) is a way to experience the Stick ‘n Rudder flight school and gain a better understanding of the commitments and expectations of becoming a licensed pilot (RPC). We’ll explain what’s involved in learning to fly, but most importantly, we’ll give you a roadmap that outlines how we’ll guide you and tailor your training to achieve your flying goals.
Step 2 – Pay Your Course Deposit
Now that we know your goals and developed a training program tailored to you, it’s time to set a start date and pay your course deposit. The full payment is broken down into the following:
- The recreational pilot certificate (RPC) deposit is $5,000
- Once the deposit is paid, it will be credited towards the upcoming training and deducted at the end of each day until the balance is $0
- Once the full deposit has been redeemed we will require payment at the end of each day for the training that has taken place
- Full payment occurs upon completion of the course and certification
Step 3 – Training before hitting the skies
We recommend studying our pilot resources that we provide once your booking has been made. We also suggest obtaining Bob Tait Theory Text Book (Basic Aeronautical Knowledge – Recreational Aircraft) for $94.50.
Step 4 – It’s Time to Fly
After this, it’s time to fly! You’ll now be in the hands of Australia’s most experienced instructors who will guide you the rest of the way. Before you know it, you’ll be soaring the skies on your own.
Step 5 – Graduation
The legal minimum hours to complete this course is 20 hours of flying + a flight test with our Chief Flying Instructor.*
- Completion of the course will not only give you a Recreational Pilot Certificate but also a Tailwheel Endorsement, which allows you to enjoy the freedoms of bush flying and other fun flying activities.
- By becoming a Recreational Pilot, you will now have the ability to fly a single-engine RA-Aus registered aircraft:
- Up to 600kg
- At day time
- Up to 2 seats - note you'll need a Passenger Carriage Endorsement to bring your friends along
- Within 25 nautical miles – note you’ll need a Navigation Endorsement to unlock more destinations
*This certificate is competency-based. The time and cost required to complete this course will vary from student to student and is influenced by external factors like weather.
