Does solo count before required exams?
 

Hi,
I solo'd in March and have since done my first solo circuits lesson. A friend asked how I'd got on with my exams and I said I hadn't sat any yet as I was waiting until I got closer to my solo cross countries - the main reason being that they expire and I'm self-funding so having to spread the cost of the PPL course over many months.

He informed me though that the CAA requires some exams (Air Law, Human Performance, Operational Procedures) to be complete before solo. My instructor was aware I hadn't sat any exams before sending me on my solos and didn't mention their requirement (but was happy with my flying and procedures).

Will the CAA compare the solo date and my exams date and rule my first solo invalid? Should I contact the flight school and ask for a refund for that time if it doesn't count?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

No longer need exams to go solo, its at the schools discretion whether or not you need any passes to solo - so yes solo time counts

I agree but I recall being told I would need Air Law before flying solo a certain distance from the circuit (7 miles?), so might be worth confirming.

If you are on a limited budget, don't spread your training over a long period. Wait until you have the money then try to condense it into a shorter period. Sure you can spread it out, but you'll take more hours and spend more money. 45 hours is perfectly achievable.

Your friend is wrong. The only legal requirement is that all exams are passed before the skill test is taken (FCL.030(a)). However, as Arena33 pointed out, some (but by no means all) schools have their own, internal requirements.

fully agree with you!
spreading the training will only make you spend more…. IMHO

Regarding the solo flight before passing exams… it will depend on the approved school’s manuals

Anyway, I don’t see why you are delaying the ground exams. It is obviously not because of the cost factor. You should get on and taking them

Enjoy your training!
regards