Private Pilot Licence
Your Ticket to the World
You can enjoy affordable and safe flying in a supportive and fun environment with PathFinder Aviation. On completion of your Private Pilot Licence (PPL), you will be licenced to fly anywhere within Australia in a single engine aeroplane. And you will be permitted to hire aircraft and carry passengers on navigation flights.
Your PPL is an internationally recognised Licence and can be converted to a local Licence in any other country.
PPL Training Program
Your continued enjoyment of flying is contingent on not just being able to fly an aircraft but also, to safely operate an aircraft in complex real-world situations. Your training will focus on your knowledge, preparation, situational awareness, judgement and decision making to ensure that you build the strongest foundation for your continued flying and development.
The syllabus includes sufficient flying for a typical part-time student to develop into a well-rounded pilot. Fixed price lessons allow you to budget and you have the flexibility to complete the Training Program at your pace. You can commence your PPL Training Program at any time, but you must be at least 15 years of age to go solo and 17 years of age to complete your Private Pilot Licence.
“Top notch instruction by exceptional Instructors. PathFinder’s syllabus exceeds the minimums you will find at other flight schools and is designed to push you to earn a qualification. They are not a sausage factory and put an emphasis on continuing education after obtaining a licence. Highly recommended.” - Jonathan
Complete your PPL in a Cessna 172 Aircraft
(You need to be 155cm – 200cm tall, 120kg maximum weight)
Having completed your RPL via one of our four Pathways…
| RPL completed in:- | Cessna 172 | Tomahawk | Sling 2 & Cessna 172 | Sling 2 & Tomahawk |
| Typical Total RPL Cost | $24,851 | $21,671 | $24,622 | $23,437 |
| Typical Total RPL Logbook Hours | 41*hrs | 40* hrs | 47* hrs | 46* hrs |
Your PPL can then be obtained in our Cessna 172 as follows...
Private Pilot Licence
| Conversion lessons to Cessna 172 @ $587 each | 1,761 | 2,348 | ||
| Simulator lesson (NDB/VOR/GNSS) | 377 | 377 | 377 | 377 |
| Navigation theory course (text, equipment & maps) | 647 | 647 | 647 | 647 |
| 9* Navigation planning sessions @ $97/hour | 1,746 | 1,746 | 1,746 | 1,746 |
| 9* Navigation lessons in Cessna 172 @ $1657 | 14,913 | 14,913 | 14,913 | 14,913 |
| CASA PPL Theory Exam | 209 | 209 | 209 | 209 |
| PPL Flight Test & CASA Licence Fee | 1,863 | 1,863 | 1,863 | 1,863 |
| Typical PPL Course Cost | $19,755 | $21,516 | $19,755 | $22,133 |
| Typical Total Private Pilot Licence Cost | $44,606 | $43,187 | $44,377 | $45,540 |
| Typical Total PPL Hours | 72* hrs | 74* hrs | 78* hrs | 82* hrs |
*The syllabus and testing required to be awarded your PPL is competency based and the actual hours taken to achieve competency will vary depending on your natural ability, individual rate of learning, frequency of lessons and your preparation and study between lessons. It may take you more or less time.
Prices are current as at 1 May 2022, and are subject to change.
Your Next Steps
• Book your Discovery Flight to experience the joy of flying first-hand.
• Book a time to meet with a Senior Instructor so that we can best understand your needs, discover your passion and dreams and help you understand the best training pathway for you.
Further Opportunities
• Recreational Flight Instructor Rating to launch your career.
• Night Rating (NVFR) for flexibility to fly at night.
• Commercial Pilot Licence will give you control of your charter or airline career