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What courses do you offer?

We offer light aircraft pilots licence (LAPL), private pilots licence (PPL), IMC and multi engine piston (MEP) courses. The LAPL has a minimum hour requirement of 30 hours of training, and the PPL has a minimum of 45 hours of training. The PPL is the most popular course we offer and allows you to carry passengers once you have gained your licence. We also offer a MEP rating course to allow you to fly twin engine aircraft. As well as this we offer the full ground school course to get you through your theory exams.

What aircraft do you have available for training?

We have a fleet of Piper and Cessna aircraft including the PA28-140, PA28-161 and Piper PA34-200, as well as our Cessna 150 and Cessna 172. We also have our own on site full motion flight simulator to practice certain techniques, or to allow you to fly when the weather is bad.

How much does training cost?

This is a common question and depends on the individual, we recommend starting with our PPL Starter Pack of £699.00 which gives you 3 hours of flying in the air and 3 hours of flying in our simulator, then going forwards the cost will be around £190.00 per hour as well as the cost for 9 PPL exams, RT exam and a Class 2 medical as additional costs.

What are the requirements for PPL training?

Other than a desire to fly the only requirements are age, you can start training at any age, however any training received before your 14th birthday does not count towards the grant of a licence. Your first solo must be on or after your 16th birthday and you must have at minimum a Class 2 medical, and licences are only issued after your 17th birthday. We have student pilots of all ages, young and old.

How do I get started?

The best way to get started is to purchase a trial lesson, this gives you hands on experience of what it’s like to be in a light aircraft, and have a go. If you get the flying bug, or feel it is for you then the next step is to purchase the PPL Starter Pack, we guarantee you won’t regret it!

How long does it take to get a PPL?

Generally a PPL can take any time from 6 months to 18 months, due to the British weather that can often interrupt flying lessons but we encourage you to be flexible and fly at your next available date, the longer the gaps between training, you could become rusty and require further lessons for revision.

How often do I need to train and study?

The more lessons you can afford and fit into a tighter time frame the quicker you will get your PPL, you will need to pass 9 theoretical PPL exams, pass an radio telephony exam, pass a flight test and have obtained a Class 2 medical before you can get your PPL. With the theoretical exams it is best to start reading the Pooleys PPL books right away to ensure you pass the exams as quick as possible.

Will I need to pass any exams?

Yes, you need to pass 9 theoretical exams in Air Law, Aircraft General Knowledge, Communications, Human Performance, Flight Planning, Principles of Flight, Meteorology, Navigation and Operational Procedures. There is also a practical radio telephony exam to pass as well. We run regular ground school sessions with a 100% pass rate. And of course you need to pass the flight skills test!

What experience do I need to get a PPL?

You don’t need any previous experience to gain a PPL, just a desire to fly and learn. The lessons can be fun and daunting and will be a steep learning curve in some areas, but you will enjoy the process and feel a great achievement as you progress through the syllabus.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my lesson?

As with the British weather cancellations often happen, you won’t be able to fly if the weather is cloudy and wet. So we will offer to spend some time our flight simulator practicing some techniques and rebook your lesson for another day. You will only be charged when you fly, or if you are in the sim.

What additional ratings do you offer?

Once you have your PPL we offer the Night Rating and IMC rating, which are both recommended ratings to be added to your licence, particularly if you are thinking of going commercial. We also offer an MEP rating allowing you to fly twin engine piston aircraft, like our Piper Seneca.

Once I have a PPL where can I fly?

In a word, anywhere! Our fleet of aircraft can take you to Newquay, the Isle of Wight, Scotland and even across to France in just over an hour. Our self fly hire members regularly hire our aircraft for hour building, or sightseeing trips. Once you have a PPL the world is your oyster.

Who are your instructors?

Our instructors are made up of a team of very professional, skilled and knowledgeable flying instructors with years of experience in flying privately and commercially. One of our instructors used to fly for British Airways as a Captain and has over 35,000 hours of experience.

Can I try before I buy?

Yes you can, simple purchase a trial lesson and let us know your intentions and we will ensure that the trial lesson gives you a good introduction to learning to fly, plus a fun experience as well.

Can anyone be a pilot?

Anyone with determination, from any background can become a pilot. As long as you have that desire to see your training through to the end, and the willingness to learn new things you can become a pilot. We have over the years had students from all backgrounds and experience, young and old become pilots and we love seeing that magic happen.

Trial Lessons

PPL Training

Flight Lounge Restaurant

Contact Details

Bristol and Wessex Aeroplane Club
Bristol Airport, BS48 3DP

01275 475429


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