Recreational Pilot Licence
Your Ticket to Freedom
You can enjoy affordable and safe flying in a supportive and fun environment with PathFinder Aviation. Your Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL) will give you the freedom to take family and friends flying locally within 25 Nautical Miles of the aerodrome in a typical 2 or 4-seat aircraft.
Your RPL is an important stepping stone to your Private Pilot Licence or even your Commercial Licence.
RPL 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 RPL Training Program at any time, but you must be at least 15 years of age to go solo and 16 years of age to complete your Recreational Pilot Licence.
Pathway 1 – Cessna 172 (You need to be 155cm – 200cm tall and maximum 120kg)
Do your training in the 4-seat Cessna 172 and pass your Flight Test to obtain your RPL. This option is great if you are in a hurry or too big for the Sling and Tomahawk. This option will give you the most time in the Cessna 172 and you will be proficient and comfortable in this aircraft.
Pathway 2 – Piper Tomahawk (You need to be 155cm – 195cm tall and maximum 90kg)
Do your training in the 2-seat Piper Tomahawk and pass your Flight Test to obtain your RPL. This option is great if you are going to continue your training in other Piper aircraft.
Pathway 3 – Sling 2 & Cessna 172 (You need to be 155cm – 195cm tall and maximum 90kg)
Commence your training in the Sling 2 and obtain your recreational Pilot Certificate. Then transition over to the Cessna 172 to complete your RPL Flight Review. This is the best option if you are looking to continue to your CPL as it will give you the most time in your logbook and allows you to hour build towards your CPL in the more economical recreational aircraft.
Pathway 4 – Sling 2 & Piper Tomahawk (You need to be 155cm – 195cm and max 90kg)
Commence your training in the Sling 2 and obtain your recreational Pilot Certificate. Then transition over to the Piper Tomahawk to complete your RPL Flight Review.
| Recreational Pilot Licence | Cessna 172 | Tomahawk | Sling 2 & Cessna 172 | Sling 2 & Tomahawk |
| 35* Fixed Price Lessons in Cessna 172@ $587 | 20,545 | |||
| 35* Fixed Price Lessons in Piper Tomahawk @ $499 | 17,465 | |||
| 33* Fixed Price Lessons in Sling 2 @ $489 | 16,137 | 16,137 | ||
| 4 Theory Lessons @ $291 / lesson | 1,164 | 1,164 | 1,164 | 1,164 |
| Simulator Lesson (Basic Instrument Flying) | 377 | 377 | 377 | 377 |
| Student Starter Kit (online access, textbooks, logbook & manuals) | 497 | 497 | 497 | 497 |
| 24/7 mobile access to groundschool.com.au | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| CASA RPL Theory Exam | 183 | 183 | ||
| Recreational Pilot Licence Flight Test & CASA fee | 1,377 | 1,277 | ||
| RA-Aus Student Membership | 357 | 357 | ||
| Pilot Certificate Flight Test & RA-Aus Processing Fee | 646 | 646 | ||
| 7* Conversion Lessons to Cessna 172 @ $557 | 4,109 | |||
| 6* Conversion Lessons to Piper Tomahawk @ $489 | 2,994 | |||
| RPL Flight Review & CASA Licence Fee | 627 | 557 | ||
| CASA Class 2 Medical Exam & CASA Processing Fee | 314 | 314 | 314 | 314 |
| ASIC Security Card | 274 | 274 | 274 | 274 |
| Aviation English Language Proficiency Test | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Typical Total RPL Cost | $24,815 | $21,671 | $24,622 | $23,437 |
| Typical Total RPL Hours | 41* hrs | 40* hrs | 47* hrs | 46* hrs |
*The syllabus and testing required to be awarded your RPL 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
• Private Pilot Licence for freedom to see the world.
• 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.