Read below to learn about the importance of structured learning and why training doesn’t stop after you pass.
So, you have finally obtained your Private Pilot Licence! Good job! What’s next, though?
It’s a question for most fresh PPL holders that is seldom answered adequately. Some want to just fly as a hobby, while others want to push the limits and capabilities of their licence so that they can experience even more in aviation.
This is why structured training doesn’t really stop after you pass and obtain your licence. Pilots need to keep evolving their skills and keep up with the latest policy and regulatory changes (if needed) to stay on top of their game.
Read below to learn about the importance of structured learning and why training doesn’t stop after you pass.
The Real Challenge Ahead
Obtaining your PPL is just half the journey for a typical pilot. The real fun and adventure begin after you get familiar with the ropes and expand your capabilities as a pilot.
Every pilot gets a “vanilla” version of the PPL after passing. This licence is a solid baseline but has some restrictions. For example, you can only fly under VFR conditions, and you will need to obtain specialised training to fly after dark.
While new pilots may not even think that ahead, this is an eventuality that many face. Typically, most pilots tend to stay with their vanilla PPL for about 2 years.
After this time, many prefer to look beyond the PPL and get started on additional certifications. Chances are that by the time you revalidate your SEP rating, you will have already decided on the type of certification you want to pursue.
The good news is that strengthening your PPL via advanced training is relatively easy for most pilots since they are already familiar with structured training.
There are several certifications and training modules that pilots can opt for to advance their PPL.
Advanced Training and Certifications for Private Pilots
Here is a list of all the possible certifications and advanced training that you can get to become an even more capable private pilot.
Night Rating
Night rating, as discussed above, is one of the most basic ratings that pilots go for after they obtain their PPL. This certification allows you to operate aircraft after dark.
Keep in mind that regular PPL holders are only allowed to fly under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). These rules highlight the favourable weather conditions during daylight for private pilots to fly aircraft.
For pilots who want more and want to fly after sunset, the night rating is a fantastic way to get started. A night rating will extend your flying capabilities and help you master your aircraft at any time of the day.
This certification requires you to log at least 5 hours of flight training, which includes topics such as navigation, communication, and circuits.
Instrument Rating
Apart from flying after dark, you may also want to fly in other weather conditions, even during the day.
Weather is a fickle thing, and in aviation, pilots are at the mercy of the changing conditions. Even though we have come far in detecting weather changes, we still can’t account for freak weather conditions that happen abruptly.
For example, regular PPL holders may have to remain grounded if they encounter fog, light/moderate rain, or snow.
However, if you go for an instrument rating, you may be allowed to fly outside of VFR conditions at any time of the day, especially if you have your Night Rating as well.
An instrument rating enables pilots to use various onboard instruments to fly without visual aid. So, instead of looking through the windshield, they can use instruments such as the radar, transponder, radio, and other equipment to guide the aircraft safely.
An instrument rating significantly increases the capabilities of your licence and offers more flying opportunities.
To apply for an instrument rating, you will need to log additional flight hours and go through the required ground school training as well as pass all the theory and practical tests.
Multi-Engine Piston Rating
We briefly mentioned the Single-Engine Piston Rating or SEP, which is mandatory for all private pilots. The SEP allows pilots to fly light aircraft like the Piper PA 28. However, if you want to command more powerful aircraft, then we recommend going with a MEP rating.
This rating qualifies private pilots to fly aircraft with more than one engine. It's an excellent way to expand your licence and a great excuse for thrill seekers looking to fly larger and more powerful aircraft.
A MEP rating isn’t standalone, though. It is also essential for progressing to commercial or airline careers.
Flight Instructor Rating
Many experienced private pilots go on to become great teachers. If you are someone who wants to share your knowledge and skills with your community, then becoming a flight instructor is a good way to realise that dream.
The Flight Instructor rating allows experienced pilots to become teachers. Becoming a CFI is an extremely rewarding experience that will change your life.
You will get to touch the lives of others by helping them learn how to fly, and you will also be building your own logbook – all while getting paid.
To become an instructor, you will require 30 hours of flight instruction on various topics such as teaching techniques, ground school training, and skill exams.
Airline Transport Pilot Licence
We are skipping a step here because we want to discuss the transition from PPL to CPL later, but if you want to know where you can ultimately land with your PPL, then the ATPL is a good guess.
For pilots who want to keep evolving and exploring new training modules, the ATPL is the ideal destination. It is the highest level of licence in the world and is required for becoming a captain for large airliners. That’s right! With this licence, you will be able to command commercial airliners.
An ATPL allows pilots to explore the world, experience the finest perks in aviation, and get paid very well.
However, the ATPL is not a walk in the park – far from it! It is even more difficult than a CPL. This licence has a lot of strict requirements, such as a minimum of 1500 hours of flight time, including PIC hours and passing numerous exams and skill tests.
The result is well worth it, though.
Mountain Flying Course
Adventure seekers will love this course! If you have always wanted to fly over different terrains and experience natural landmarks, then we recommend that you go for a mountain flying course.
As the name suggests, this course is for flying in mountainous terrain and is terrific for pilots who want to increase their confidence and understanding of safety measures when flying in challenging conditions.
You would be surprised by just how many times you must plan around mountainous areas. With this course, you will be able to easily plot a more effective route and enjoy nature to its fullest.
Aerobatic Rating
Ever been to air shows where they fly aircraft in various formations and dazzle the audience? Imagine if you were one of the pilots flying those planes! That’s what this rating provides.
If you are a thrill seeker, then we recommend that you go for an Aerobatic Rating. Designed for mastering complex aerial manoeuvres, the Aerobatic Rating is a great place to start for pilots who want a pure dose of adrenaline.
However, this rating isn’t just for show. An aerobatic rating will help enhance your handling skills. This rating pushes pilots to continuously learn new manoeuvres and keep ahead of training.
Once you are good enough, you can also use this certification to participate in various air events that are held around the country!
Seaplane Rating
Seaplanes are a different breed of aeroplanes. They are fantastic for flying over large water bodies and are one of the best ways to enjoy thrilling flights across the shoreline and beyond.
This rating is specifically designed to enable pilots to operate seaplanes. This can not only add versatility to your skillset but it can also be an exciting addition to your aviation career.
Seaplane ratings are necessary for flying in areas with a large body of water. If you or your aeroclub is situated near water, then you might want to go for this certification at the earliest.
Even if you don’t have access to a large water body, you may have to obtain this certification if you ever do plan to fly over water in the future. This is why it is a good idea to get ahead and obtain this certification through your flight school.
Going From a PPL To a CPL
CPL, also known as the Commercial Pilot Licence, is usually the next step after your PPL. However, not many pilots will go this route because, unlike a PPL, the CPL is designed for people who want to build a career in aviation.
The Commercial Pilot Licence empowers pilots to pursue commercial activities such as flying people or cargo. This is a huge responsibility, which is why the CPL demands a lot of structured training.
Due to the stringent requirements of the CPL, many pilots usually first go for a PPL, which is more attainable.
The PPL is a great doorway into aviation, and when you get familiar with the inner workings of the industry, you can decide to upgrade your PPL to a CPL by taking on additional structured training.
The great thing about a CPL is that you will be investing in yourself and your skills with this programme. Once you get hired, for example, by a large airliner, then you will earn back the training costs and then some.
Not to mention, the CPL also offers a lot of bragging rights since only the best of the best pilots get to become commercial pilots.
While the training may be gruelling, upgrading a Private Pilot Licence to a Commercial Pilot Licence is, fortunately, straightforward.
You will have to pick up where you left off during your PPL training and enrol in new additional training courses. You will also be required to log more flight hours and get in-depth ground school training.
The good news is that a lot of the CPL training overlaps with the PPL programme, so you will not be in for any surprises.
The main thing to note is that you will need to log in far more hours than are required during PPL training. For example, a typical PPL requires 45 hours of training, but a CPL requires a total of 200 hours.
200 hours is the minimum threshold; most pilots aim for more to have the level of confidence needed to pilot large aircraft.
Luckily, you will be allowed to log all hours of flight during your PPL phase, which includes the times you flew just for fun!
Finally, a CPL also requires a comprehensive medical certificate. PPL holders need to convert their Class 2 medical certificate to a Class 1 medical certificate, which is more encompassing and stricter.
Don’t worry, if you are enrolled at a great flight club, like Sherburn Aero Club, you can get through all these tasks under one roof! Once you have the required documentation and flight hours, you can submit your application to the Civil Aviation Authority for a CPL.
Where Can You Train?
If you wish to advance your PPL with additional certifications and training, then you must go to a comprehensive flight school.
A flight school like Sherburn Aero Club can provide additional private pilot training, and you can also choose from a fleet of well-maintained aircraft. Sherburn also has a licenced medical examiner (CME), so even if you decide to upgrade your PPL to a CPL, you get all these additional services under one roof.
For commercial pilots, Sherburn’s partner organisation, Advanced Flight Training, offers courses in CPL training, Multi-engine Piston Rating, and Night Rating. Sherburn also has a world-class faculty with all the necessary facilities (including simulation training) and amenities (like a café and common hall) to make advanced training not only easier but also fun.
Why Choose Sherburn Aero Club?
Sherburn Aero Club, which has been operational since 1964, is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs. We cater to brand-new flyers who have just started their journey to the skies, as well as seasoned flyers who have been operating aircraft for decades.
We offer comprehensive PPL training as well as dedicated CPL training and the required experience for operating aircraft at night.
With a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse, we also offer a dedicated day-long Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) course for those wishing to get the certification, running on the first Sunday of every month.
Sherburn also offers pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward. For those who wish to experience the thrill of a flight for fun or to help fuel their aviation dreams, Sherburn offers experience flights for the newbie, as well as the veteran.
The flight experience option is also available for people who wish to take to the skies for special occasions, even if they aren’t into aviation in the long run.
In addition to that, if you are looking for a hangarage for your own aircraft, need servicing or repairs, want to buy a new aircraft or aviation equipment, or are just looking to enjoy and watch the aircraft, Sherburn Aero Club is the place to be.
Call us at 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on private pilot licences (PPL), commercial pilot licences (CPL), how you can upgrade from a PPL to a CPL, and why structured training doesn’t stop after you pass.
Photo by Adrian Smith on Unsplash
