How quickly does the PPL need to be done?

[gerardflyagain]

I've flown a few hours for my PPL but it looks like I'll need to postpone it as I can't afford it.

Is there a certain time the 45 hours need to be flown in, or will my 4 hours flown still count even if I pick this up again in a few years?

[Gertrude the Wombat]

It'll take as long as it takes - most people don't finish in 45 hours, and if you leave it a few years you'll be effectively starting from scratch again.

So, the hours do last forever, but that's of no practical benefit for the vast majority of people.

[Level Attitude]

Provided they can be proved, eg they are properly documented, all PPL training hours can be used towards the requirement for PPL issue.

Note this seems likely to be a non-issue in your case as the PPL is not a 45 hour course; it is a a course which requires a minimum of 45 Hours flight experience and most people, particularly if they take breaks in training, will require 50-60 hours to reach Test standard.

[dagowly]

I believe the only time limitation to the entire process are the exams. That's from what I remember when I did it.

[gerardflyagain]

Great, thanks all.

[RTN11]

Indeed, the hours have no expiry, the clock only starts when you start exams, which the school will go through with you and discuss suitable timescales.

You comfortably have around 3 years if you plan it right.

[flyinkiwi]

Legally speaking, its the written tests as others have pointed out.

As for your question about stopping and picking it up again later, it is cheaper if you continue, as you'll burn a lot of cash in revision flights to return your skills and competency to the level it was when you stopped. Generally speaking the longer you are out of the air the longer it takes to get back to where you were.

[ChickenHouse]

Most likely it will never matter wether 4h now count later, as you will most probably be doing more then the minimum 45h ...

[newaviator]

When I started my NPPL it took longer than anticipated , work , family and life gets in the way unless you are very lucky.

Get your majority of flying hours in first , pass your Air Law before you go on your first solo , and dont do the other written exams until you are getting near to your skills test , especially if it's all dragging out over a long period of time. Make sure you've passed your Nav before you start attempting to go cross country solo student , make sure you are happy with the whole Navigation requirement.

I did all my exams relatively early , especially when the weather precluded training , only problem was I had more and more crap weather before I achieved enough hours to carry out my GST , I then decided to spend a relative short time committed to intense flying , had to re do a couple of exams which would have lapsed just prior to sending off my licence application due to the time taken to complete the whole syllabus.

Make sure you do all elements of radio exam practical and written more or less at the same time so that one half doesn't run out.

Learning to fly isn't a race .... enjoy it , no matter how long it takes:O

[EC DKN]

I did mine in almost 2 years alongside university and two jobs! 49 hours total !!

Be patient and enjoy! ;)

[Andy_P]

I must have logged at least 70 hours total (dual, solo, private hire) so far and I am only just starting my PPL navs. I must admit, I have done a fair bit of private hire under my recently issued RPL!! I think I racked up near on 10 hours between when I was recommended for the RPL flight test and the actual flight test itself because I already had the bookings... Since then I must be up another 10-15 hours.

I started slowly, flying once a week. Hit a kangaroo on a motorbike at 110kph which laid me out for 8-9 months. When I started back I was up almost everyday and from start to RPL probably 15 hours total.

So dont fret, it took me 3-4 flights to go solo again after 8+ months on the sidelines. You pick it all up pretty quick when you get going again.

[cockney steve]

Hit a kangaroo on a motorbike at 110kph which laid me out for 8-9 months.

Bloody hell! :eek: treat 'em well, and that's what you get. The 'Roos in our zoos have to hop on their own legs if they want to get somewhere.
Hope the beggar got done for dangerous driving.


Friend started a PPL course...one of his parents fell ill and died this curtailed lessons....other parent died.......10 years later he now had his own business and restarted his PPL....every lesson in his log book had been duly signed by his instructor(s) CAA accepted them