Let’s dive into how you can restart your PPL training after taking a break in the smoothest way possible.
They say getting back to anything that you love is like riding a bike – but is that true with flight training?
Taking a break from Private Pilot Licence (PPL) training is more common than you think. Students often choose to pause because of weather conditions, work commitments, costs, health problems, and even confidence issues.
However, the good news is that restarting does not mean starting from zero! If you are enrolled in a good flight school, like Sherburn Aero Club, a good instructor will assess your current abilities and help you rebuild in areas that need attention.
Let’s dive into how you can restart your PPL training after taking a break in the smoothest way possible.
Restarting PPL Training After a Break – Step-by-Step Guide
Here are the core steps that you need to follow to get back into training.
Step 1. Review Where You Stopped
If you want to continue where you left off, then it might be a good idea to revisit the latest study modules or training so that you have a better idea of where you stopped.
We also recommend that you review the following:
- Total flight hours completed
- Last lesson completed
- Solo experience
- Navigation experience
- Exercises already signed off
- Theory exams passed
- Medical status
- Logbook records
For example, if you stopped after 10 flight hours, then you should expect a deeper dive into the ground and practical training modules.
If you left off around your first solo flight, then you will likely focus on circuits and rebuilding confidence to finish the flight. However, if you stopped during the navigation training phase, then we recommend that you refresh your skills before committing to cross-country flights.
Lastly, if you were almost test-ready and had finished most of the PPL requirements, then you may just need polishing to reach the finish line.
Always remember, your previous hours are still relevant, and they matter, but your instructor will first ensure that you are fully competent and safe before progressing.
Step 2. Book a Re-Assessment Flight
Comprehensive schools like Sherburn recognise the fact that sometimes life happens and students have to stop training.
In this case, most good schools offer a re-assessment flight where the instructor will typically check the following:
- Aircraft handling
- Take-off and landing technique and confidence
- Circuit procedures
- Radio calls
- Navigation skills
- Emergency procedures
- Situational awareness
Even if you fail the flight, that’s okay because the re-assessment flight is designed to find out where you lack. The instructor will use the findings of the flight to design a flight training programme based on your needs.
Step 3. Refreshing Theory
Practical training is truly just like riding a bike, where once you get inside the cockpit, your previous training will likely kick back in.
Unfortunately, aviation knowledge tends to fade faster than you think. This is especially true for complex subjects such as air law, meteorology, navigation, radio procedures and performance calculations.
PPL requirements in the UK require students to pass all nine subjects in the PPL curriculum. This is why a good restart routine could be to go through the study material again.
We recommend that you read your aircraft checklist again, practise radio calls, complete mock exams, and use flight planning exercises to brush up on your ground school training.
Step 4. Confidence Building
Flight training is like any other skill where you build muscle memory. Students are often surprised that even after a break, their hands remember more than they expect.
During this stage, your aim should be to rebuild confidence. This means gaining radio confidence that tends to take longer than your core flying skills and practicing landings and decision-making.
With the help of a few consolidation flights, you will be able to rebuild confidence quickly and progress ahead!
Step 5. Keep Flying
If you want to get better in aviation, then practice is the key to everything.
The biggest mistake students make after restarting flying is that they fly too infrequently. This is the wrong approach because flying once every few weeks will often result in you relearning basic concepts over and over again.
When you fly regularly, you build momentum, which is why we suggest that you ideally fly 1-2 flights per week.
If you do not have the time, then we recommend that you at least fly every 1 or 2 weeks to keep your confidence up and your training up to date.
Step 6. Keep Your Eye on the Finish Line
Your goal should never be vague during flight training. Many students make the mistake of restarting but never finishing because their goal remains vague.
If you are restarting, then you should know it in your heart that your goal is to finish this time and get your licence.
Flight instructors at Sherburn Aero Club can help build you a tailor-made plan and help you set the following milestones:
- Assessment flight
- Consolidation lessons
- Complete remaining exercises
- Finish solo requirements
- Complete navigation requirements
- Pass theory exams
- Skills test preparation
- PPL skills test
By going with this plan, you will not only be able to restart training but also quickly progress through the requirements.
What If You Change Your Flight School?
If you changed your flight schools, then finding a new instructor who understands your needs is the first step in restarting training.
Make sure that you bring your logbook, training records, exam results, medical documents, and even previous instructor notes to make the transition easier.
Keep in mind that instructors want nothing but to watch you succeed. So, pick the right flight school and keep going.
Good luck, aviator!
Why Choose Sherburn Aero Club?
Sherburn Aero Club has been operational since 1964 and continues to pride itself on producing top-class pilots and offering top-notch aviation services.
The flying club opened a flight training school in the 1970s that offers private and commercial licences, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.
It is one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country. It is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs, whether you are taking to the skies for an experience flight, starting your flying career, or have your own aircraft and are looking for hangarage.
Sherburn Aero Club’s fleet of aircraft includes the Piper PA-28 Cadet, the Piper PA-28 Warrior, and the Cessna 152 Aerobat (2-Seater). Major investments include an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse providing our members with a great environment while giving them the opportunity to pursue their love for flying.
Call us at 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on PPL licence requirements and how to restart PPL training after a break.
Photo by Ekin Taner on Unsplash
