Learning to Fly with RAAus
Part information on this page is taken from the official RAAus site and manual.
If you find any misleading or wrong information please contact us to let us know...
RAAus Pilots need to have a health standard at the same requirements that is necessary to hold a car driver’s licence in Australia.
If in doubt about your health, it may be wise to see your GP for a check-up - letting your GP know about your plans of learning to fly.
If all is ok with your health, the next step is to take a Trial Instructional Flight (TIF) from your local flight school to make sure that RAAus flying is for you.
The Trial Instructional Flight...
The main idea about a Trial Instructional Flight (TIF) is to make sure if learning to fly is for you, and if a particular aircraft, flying school and instructor is for you.
Different RAAus flying schools use different aircraft to train new pilots, some aircraft are easier to fly than others, some are more roomy, while others are faster and fly further. Depending upon your needs and goals for flying, the choice of aircraft you learn to fly in will be an important decision. To find out more about some different Recreational Aircraft visit our 'Reviews Page' HERE
On a TIF, most schools will start out with a ground briefing with you, making sure you understand what is about to happen, before taking you up for around 30 – 45 minutes in the air where you will be able to have a go at the controls and sample the ‘feel’ of the aircraft at safe altitudes.
For more information and locations of your closest Recreational Flying School be sure to visit our listings pages HERE
Once you have chosen a flying school and instructor to teach you to fly…now its time to book in for your 1st lesson.
Converting to RAAus...
If you hold a PPL already this does not allow you to fly RAAus registered aircraft. For a GA pilot to fly RAAus aircraft you MUST do some ‘conversion training’ – this will entail a minimum requirement of 5 hours experience in an RAAus registered aircraft of which a minimum of 1 hour will be as pilot in command.
If you already have your radio operator and your cross country endorsements then RA-Aus will accept these without further training or testing if you have obtained these from a recognised source.
It is fairly easy to convert your PPL to a RAAus certificate…and is well worth the effort!
If you are looking for SAFE , AFFORDABLE Recreational Flying – then RAAus is probably for you.
Give a RAAus TIF a go and see for yourself.
Whats Next...
If after your TIF you decide that RA-Aus Flying is for you, and you are happy with the club or Flying School you have chosen, the next step is to gain your RA-Aus Student Pilot Certificate - your flying school or club should be able to assist you with this.
The student pilot joining fee is $160.00 (2009), which includes the issue of the Student Pilot Certificate, 3rd party insurance cover, Operations Manual, Technical Manual, 12 months RA-Aus membership and a 12 month subscription to the monthly Recreational Aviation Australia magazine delivered to your door.
The theory that you will need to cover to gain your RA-Aus Pilot Certificate is:
- Basic Aeronautical Knowledge (BAK)
- Flight Rules & Air Law (Air Legislation)
- Radio
- Navigation & Meteorology
Your flying school or club will help you to achieve the theory requirements.
To help you even further, Delta Recreational Flying Services has produced a brand new style of flight training manual making it even easier to understand the required theory and practical learning. The lessons covers each of your flying lessons and is set out as follows:
- Lesson 1: the trial instructional flight (TIF)
- Lesson 2: operation & effects of controls.
- Lesson 3: straight & level flight.
- Lesson 4: climbing & descending.
- Lesson 5: medium turns & steep turns.
- Lesson 6: stalls & incipient spins.
- Lesson 7: circuit training (take-off & landing).
- Lesson 8: emergency procedures.
- Lesson 9: performance & operation (includes an introduction only to human factors).
- Lesson 10: navigation.
Recreational Pilots highly recommend 'Sport Air Theory' new style RA-Aus Training Manual.
After Your Training and Beyond
Once you have gained your RA-Aus Pilot Certificate, you will be able to experience the exhileration and enjoy the freedom of being able to pilot your very own aircraft. Recreational Aircraft are surprisingly affordable - The NATFLY event each year is a great place to visit and see the many Recreational Aircraft on display.
Some RA-Aus Pilots decide to build their own aircraft from scratch (plans) or from a manufactured Kit. You can find out more details on 'building your own' HERE
CLICK HERE to view the many manufactured new aircraft and kits available for you to purchase and buy or build your very own aircraft.
There are also many good quality used Recreational Aircraft on the market available for purchase.
If you cannot afford to purchase your own aircraft, dont worry, there are many Aircraft available for hire & fly at very reasonable prices from your local Club or Flying School.
To gain your RA-Aus Pilot Certificate is to gain the freedom to fly - to fly for the Sheer FUN of it in a safe and supportive culture.
If you need any more information, visit the official RA-Aus site HERE or speak to the friendly people at your nearest RA-Aus Flying School or Club | 
