Starting to fly again

[LynneGarner]

Can anyone advise the correct route to go down to begin fliying again? My husband had a PPL until about 10 years ago when he stopped flying as he headed off to uni. Does he just need to start lessons from scratch? Can anyone recommend what is the best school? We live in Cheshire, close to Barton Aerodrome. :confused:

[Dave1234]

My understanding is that since the PPL requirements have changed over the last 10 years, there will be a series of 8 exams that he will have to pass, as well as re-doing his practical flight test - although the hours he has previously bulit up will still be registered in his logbook, so he won't have to take as many lessons as a PPL newbie to build up the 45hrs required for licence issue.
Hopefully it will all come flooding back once he gets back in the cockpit, but learning the 8 subjects will probably take a little bit of swotting!
Enjoy!

[Charlie Zulu]

I presume he had a CAA PPL(A) (UK Issued) with a valid SEP (Single Engine Piston) rating.

As he presumably not renewed his SEP rating within the previous five years his SEP rating is now lapsed but his CAA PPL(A) is valid for life. This means all he will need to do is to renew his SEP rating.

First up get a JAA Class 2 or JAA Class 1 medical. For private flying a JAA Class 2 is now required. There isn't a Class 3 medical anymore.

For renewal requirements see the CAA publication called Lasors. It is free to download (74mb) from the following link:

LASORS: LASORS 2008 | Publications | CAA (http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=33&pagetype=65&appid=11&mode=detail&id=1591)

The section you are looking for is "Section F", Subsection "F1.5" on Page 11 of Section F. It is named "Renewal of Single-Engine Piston - SEP(LAND), TMG Class Ratings".

Assuming he hasn't had a valid SEP rating within the previous 5 years he will need to undergo the following:

1) The CAA mandates no mandatory additional training. Applicants are only required to have enough recurrency training to enable them to pass a Skills Test (this is good news!).

2) Complete the Skills Test in accordance with Appendicies 1 & 3 to JAR-FCL 1.240 with a JAR Authorised Examiner. The Skills Test is basically the pre-JAA CAA GFT and NFT's combined.

3) Pass an oral theoretical knowledge examination conducted by the examiner as part of the skills test.

On successful completion of the skills test the LST/LPC form will be filled in and sent to the CAA PLD for licence endorsement. The Examiner is unable to fill in the ratings page in the licence for this scenario.

All the best and hope this helps.