FAQs

I am based near Gatwick and my local aerodromes are Redhill, Biggin Hill and Shoreham.

I will travel further afield (for example, I carry out some ME-IR training at North Weald) however travelling expenses may need to be met.

I hold instructor insurance through AOPA.

Revalidation

If your licence is still valid, it can be revalidated. For an SEP, this need only be a bi-annual check flight with an instructor or examiner – the latter can also carry out a proficiency check if the SEP hour requirements have not been met. 

Renewal

If your licence is not valid, you need a “new” class rating (i.e. a renewal). This would require an ATO to assess the training need before a test. I can arrange such training through an ATO.

PPL:

• First year – zero hours.
• Second year – 12 hours SEP flying, of which 6 must be P1, also a minimum of 1 hour instructional flight (which may be included within the 12 hours). The 1 hour flight may be carried out in up to 3 flights, however they must be with the same instructor. Either an examiner or the instructor can sign your valid licence (note: the instructor must have FCL.945 on their licence). A CAA 1119E form must be completed – one copy sent to the CAA, one retained by the examiner/instructor and one by the pilot.

LAPL:

In the last 24 months at least 12 hours as PIC including 12 T/O & landings plus at least 1 hour refresher training with an instructor. If you do not meet these requirements:

• A proficiency check with an examiner before exercising privileges of licence

Or

• Complete the additional time required or T/O and landings to meet the requirements flying dual or solo with an instructor

SEP

If you carry out a proficiency check, it must be flown during the last 3 months of currency.

A training flight not required if a proficiency check or skill test on another type or class has been flown.

No. I can still carry out your 1 hour flight with an instructor and also revalidate (or renew) your SEP. However, you are not entitled to fly as P1 until you hold a valid medical and I am obliged to remind you of this on the day we fly together.

No (even if has only expired by one day). 

You would be amazed how many pilots accidentally let their licences expire. DON’T LEAVE IT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!

You are required to perform two different approaches, however if within the last 12 months you have flown an instrument approach to the satisfaction of a suitably qualified examiner / instructor, only one approach of a different type is required.

The allocated squawk of 3767 is a “conspicuity code”, this means that the code is easily seen on an adjacent radar controllers’ screens. From this information, the radar controller will know that Redhill is in contact with that aircraft. The SSR 7010 is now allocated to aircraft flying in the circuit.

It is important to realise that the pilot is NOT receiving any form of ATC radar service, and it is much wiser to receive a ATSOCA service from a radar equipped unit, for example Farnborough or Southend.

Many ATC units will have a conspicuity code eg: London Information allocate a code of 1177, but no radar service is provided.