RPL: Perth - Where do you fly?

[snbyrne]

I've been hoping to get my PPL for a few years now but as a uni student and young dad, funds are best spent elsewhere.

I've started gliding since it's a touch cheaper and gets me in the air.

Though I have recently noticed the Recreational Pilots License. It looks like training costs may be as low as $7000 to become qualified (factors considering of course).

So I am wondering who in Perth has one, where do you fly? How does the licence suit you?

I wonder if it would allow me to fly to Rottnest (or further Murryfeild > Bunbury?) with a friend to split hire charges with. Is it limited to a single passenger or can I hire a 172 for 3 passengers?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences and what you know.

- Stephen

[Caedus]

All you need to know about the RPL: http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/lib100191/rr61_rpl_fs.pdf

I hold a RPL but recently passed PPL because I want to go to places like Margaret River and Monkey Mia and possibly more than 4 seaters!

[TOUCH-AND-GO]

Afternoon Stephen,

Jandakot would be the place to visit. There's a few flying school operators that will help you throughout course.

A budget cost of ($10,000) :} for your RPL + medical + Asic + Theory books + medical..have I missed anything?

You can fly a C172 with your RPL. It's a weight limiting thing.

RPL has a limit of 25Nm from your departure aerodrome. So if you wish to spread your wings further you'll need a navigation cross-country endorsement or go all the way for a PPL.

Regards,

T&G. :ok:

[tecman]

Another way would be to have a look at some of the RA Aus possibilities, especially if you link up with somewhere like the Bunbury Aero Club that runs both RA and GA training streams in parallel. There are no magic ways to get to a cheap PPL but, in a schoool with the right instructors and aircraft, you can mix and match a bit to suit your own needs and wallet. The single passenger limit with RA Aus is a limitation but RA Aus gets you touring at minimal cost, although you do have to some conversion training for later CASA licences should you want to go down that path.

Even if you decide to start on the CASA path, have a look at what Bunbury has to offer. I'm not a BAC member and have no financial interest in the Club but I've been impressed with their approach and fleet. Alternatively, Murrayfield (near Mandurah) gets you some efficiency gains and cost reduction over Jandakot but with more limited aircraft choice, and a generally older fleet relative to some other places. T&G has already mentioned Jandakot and, while the costs are generally higher, you do get the experience of a busy control zone from Day 1. Best thing would be to have a talk to the CFI at a few places and see if you can find an option that stands out for you.

Wherever you go, don't give anyone a lot of money upfront (over and above the sort of items T&G listed, of course).

Good luck!