Flight Training

Liverpool Flying School demonstrates 60 successful years in training thousands of pilots to learn to fly for commercial airlines, business travel or purely for leisure.

Since the Flying School was formed in 1963 we have owned over 40 different training aircraft and have a current membership of over 150 pilots and trainees.

Liverpool Flying School can offer training to achieve:

Private Pilots Licence (PPL)
Light Aircraft Pilots Licence (LAPL)
Instrument Rating (Restricted) Rating (IR(R))
Night Rating

We also offer trainee pilots the chance to take the controls and experience the sensation of flying by having a trial lesson.

What we offer

UK PPL

This licence is the most usual one our students train for. It allows flight during the day in good weather but additional ratings can be added to this licence for flights at night and in poor weather when the pilot needs to fly by sole reference to flight instruments.

A higher standard of medical fitness is required for this licence and the medical certificate can only be issued by an Aeronautical Medical Examiner.

The following is included:

45 hours flying
25 hours dual flight instruction including 2 hours of stall awareness and spin avoidance and also sufficient instruction in instrument flying to enable control in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) in order to return to Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC).
10 hours solo including 5 hours of cross country flight.
Solo qualifying cross country flight (150nm with two stops)
9 theoretical knowledge exams including: Air Law, Aircraft General Knowledge, Flight Performance and Planning, Human Performance and Limitations, Meteorology, Navigation, Operations Procedures, Principles of Flight, Communications.
Flight Radiotelephony Operator's Licence (FRTOL).
Class 1 or 2 Medical Certificate. Can only be issued by an Aeronautical Medical Examiner and required before first solo flight.
Skill test

We are happy to give further advice and guidance on licenses and training. This can be done as part of your visit to undertake Trial Flight or alternatively you can call in to the school (but best to phone first to make sure someone is available to give you the time).

Night Rating

This rating allows flight at night and again many pilots add this to their licence as insurance in case a delay causes them to be flying after sunset. It is also a fascinating experience to be in a light aircraft at night.

Our night qualification includes:

5 hours flying (total)
3 hours dual
1 hour dual night navigation
5 take-offs and 5 full-stop landings (solo)
3 hours ground school with an instructor

IR(R) Rating

This rating allows pilots to fly in poor weather and reduced visibility. It is a national rating and can only be used in UK airspace. This was formerly referred to as an "Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC)" Rating.

Many PPLs add this rating to their licence as insurance against being caught out in bad weather but it is also a good step towards achieving the coveted full instrument rating which allows flight in any airspace.

Our training includes:

15 Hours Dual Instrument Flying
1 Written Exam
1.5 Hour Flight Test With An Examiner
Ground School

The course is made up of instrument flying (Full and Limited panel) but can be divided into:

Aerodrome departure procedures
En-route navigation. (ADF, VOR, DME, SSR)
Holding procedures (ADF)
Instrument approach procedures (SRA, ADF, ADF/DME, ILS, ILS/DME)
Emergency procedures. (Recovery from unusual attitudes, position fixes, missed approaches and bad weather circuits)

UK LAPL

This has less restrictions on medical requirements than the UK PPL. The Skill Test requirements are also slightly less demanding. However there are restrictions on the type of aircraft and when and where you can fly and you are best to seek further advice and guidance before committing.