Eldash

Hi,
What is the normal learning curve for PPL in terms of hours? I am being told that 45 hours is to aim for. I have 24 hours but I really feel that the only hours I have really learned something has been the last 10 hours that have been during 1 intense week. The rest of the hours have been spread during the last six months and really have not been consistence enough to be of any use. I am being told that I am a bit behind and this is not helping my confidence. I have been reading a lot of intelligent posts here and hopefully somebody can give me some insights. Thanks

Deano777

Please don't feel under confident, you are doing fine, there is no "average" person when it comes to flying, we are all different and we all learn at a different rate. Also remember the other variable is your instructor/instructors, alot depends on their ability as well.
For a PPL people have taken the minimum 45hrs, but alot, if not most will have taken alot more than this, some take 50hrs, some 60, 70, 80 and even post 100hrs.
What will be your downfall is putting too much pressure on yourself, just relax, enjoy the course and you'll finish when you finish, it doesn't matter and it isn't a competition (it only matters when you can't afford it).

Personally I was ready for my skill test at 38hrs, but after a long row with the CFI he wouldn't let me take it until I had 45hrs (which was wrong on his part), because of this and crap weather I passed it with 56hrs in my log book. Did that matter? absolutely not.

I've had students who have taken 20hrs just in the circuit, they just couldn't get the judgement of the last 10ft, these will take 60hrs or more to gain their license. Another one passed his with 120hrs in the log book (if he was my student I would have given up instructing HAHA).

When your instructor says you are a bit behind he probably means you are not going to finish within the 45hrs, but really, it's not important.

Best advice I can give you is as I said above, just relax, there is no time limit (only a money limit). Enjoy it, because it's there to be enjoyed

Say again s l o w l y

How long is a piece of string. No-one can tell you how long you need at the start and 45 hours is a legal minimum.

How competent you are has nothing to do with how long it takes you to get a licence.

I've flown with people who got their ticket in 45 hours and they are crap. Others are brilliant.

Some took 100 hours, but are excellent pilots now.

Don't worry about how long it takes, just make sure you make progress in each lesson and prepare well. Just enjoy it. I still think my training was some of the most enjoyable flying I ever did.

I've been teaching for 10 years and there is no such thing as a "normal" student. All are different and all take different amounts of time to get to grips with certain things. Very few get it all on the first attempt. Everyone struggles with something.

Mine was glide approaches. No problem now (though you'd hope not!!) but at the beginning, I was hopeless at them.

Duchess_Driver

There are schools which guarantee a 45hour pass (don't think I need to mention them!) and, to be honest, some of the graduates of these schools are absolutely crap.

It's not only that they can't communicate or navigate in Euroland, it's their general flying and handling skills.

Whopity

The minimum hours required to obtain a PPL (Microlight) is 25 hours. The BMAA recently announced some statistics at an examiners seminar and the average time taken is 56 hours; a little over twice the minimum. So much for the 32 hour NPPL!

Eldash

Thank you all for your inputs. Actually one of the major issues that I have is the fact that everything has to be a contest! I need to relax and enjoy. After all I am doing this for the love of it.
Thanks a lot. I feel much, much better now

foxmoth

Very relevant is the bit in your post about the 10 hours intensive period, I did mine (in the days when you could) in 35 hours - but this was an Air Cadet scholarship and all done and dusted in 5 weeks (should have been 4 weeks but the wx got in the way), as said, most people take nearer 55-60 hours and continuity will have a big influence on this.

kluge

It's not a race.

Go for quality training that will give you the confidence and allow you to develop your airmanship together with your BFT skills. If you are not taught what airmanship is or how to develop it then look elsewhere for training. These initial hours should set a foundation for how you continue to learn in your flying career. Getting a PPL license does not mean that you stop learning how to fly but it should give you a very strong foundation from which to grow your skills and experience.

Whirlybird

IMHO, one of the most sensible things any student has ever said on here, and if you don't mind, I may quote you in the regular column I write for one of the flying publications.

You're right, most flying schools and pilots seem to be this way. I don't know why. Maybe it's our whole culture. Or maybe high achievers are more competitive, make more money, and can afford to learn to fly! Either way, you're absolutely right to try to leave it behind.

I suffered from this too. In fact, I think at the start I was a part of it. But after nearly 90 hours getting my PPL(A), then 60 to get my PPL(H), I realised I wasn't a natural pilot and I'd enjoy things a lot more if I accepted that fact and learned things in the time it took me, without fighting it. Interestingly, I started doing a bit better after that! But I'm no hot shot pilot and never will be. I suspect it makes me a better instructor, as I really understand the problems my students are having. So these days I don't worry about it.

So carry on doing your flying for the love of it, and leave anguishing about minimal hours to those who need such things. You'll probably enjoy your flying far more than they enjoy theirs.

Eldash

Thank you for the response. Of course you can quote me. By the way, I agree on what you are saying totally.

John Farley

Well said Whirly - as ever.

JF