Q.Why should I learn to fly with Durham Tees Flight Training? Back to top

Durham Tees Valley Airport is an excellent place to learn to fly. There is a range of instrument approaches and reassuring radar coverage, and its friendly and professional air traffic controllers are happy to help with practice emergency exercises. While benefiting from this fully controlled air traffic environment, we do not suffer the kind of congestion - on the ground or in the air - that's experienced at neighbouring commercial airports.

It is Durham Tees Flight Training's philosophy to provide flight training in a safe, professional and relaxed environment, and we will do this in as cost-effective a manner as we can -- you should certainly find us competitive.

Our experienced and carefully selected instructors will make sure your training is safe, thorough and carried out as expediently as possible -- we realise time is money. We are committed to your success because it's inextricably linked to ours! If your dream is to fly fixed wing aircraft, we can help you fulfil it!

Q.Do I need any previous experience or qualifications? Back to top

No, you need no previous experience before starting your flying course.

Q.What types of courses are available? Back to top

Take a look at our courses page for more information.

Q.Will I automatically get my licence after 32 or 45 hours flying training? Back to top

No, 45 hours is the minimum training requirement as laid down by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for a person to apply for a JAR-FCL PPL(A) and 32 hours for the NPPL. It can sometimes take people a few more hours to meet the standard required by your examiner: the national average is around 60 hours. It is not in the interest of safety for a flying school to guarantee a student a pass in a certain amount of hours. At Durham Tees Flight Training we treat safety with paramount importance and therefore our students will only take a test when their flying is up to a suitably high standard. Continuity is an important factor in training time and the more regularly you can fly, usually the lower overall hours required.

Q.Do I have to take an introductory lesson first? Back to top

No you don't have to, but we recommend that you have an air expeience flight first to make sure that you are comfortable with the sensation of flying a light aircraft. You will be given some basic teaching and you will certainly handle the controls! The time you are in the aircraft can be counted towards the total hours for the licence.

Q.How long does the course take? Back to top

Once you have passed your first ground exam you will need to complete the other six exams within 18 months then, once all the exams are passed, you have a further two years to finish the course and get your PPL issued before your exams become invalid. We can tailor courses from a full-time basis to a more part-time schedule to suit you over a couple of years if required. However, please bear in mind people tend to suffer from lack of continuity if they try to spread the course out over a long period. And weather conditions usually have their part to play too!

Q.Do I automatically get a licence when I have completed the course? Back to top

No, just as when you learn to drive you will take theory exams and a practical flight test. There are seven ground exams that you will need to take, a practical radio phraseology exam and a final flight test with an examiner. You can purchase all of the textbooks for the exams from us and can take the exams on site. Most people decide to study for the exams themselves but for an extra charge individual ground school is available on request.

Q.Where do I go to take my test? Back to top

At Durham Tees Flight Training we have 'in-house' examiners, so we will take you from your very first flight through to passing your Private Pilot Licence.

Q.How old do I have to be? Back to top

The minimum age requirement for a holder of a PPL is 17; however, you can fly solo at the age of 16. Although technically you can start PPL training at the age of 14 we recommend that you do not start until you are nearly 16 as you may reach solo standard yet be unable to go due to your age.

Q.What are the medical requirements? Back to top

You may start the course without holding a medical but before you fly solo you must pass a medical examination. For the JAA licence you must obtain a JAA Class 2 medical certificate, which may be issued only by a CAA Approved Medical Examiner. We can provide a list of examiners available in the local area. For the NPPL, your GP can provide you with a medical declaration certificate which is based on the Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) driving medical standards. The cost of an initial JAA Class 2 medical is around £170 and the charge for a NPPL medical declaration is set by your GP, typically it's between £20 and £50. If you require more information on what is covered in the JAA medical then have a look at the medical section of the CAA website. Please note colour blindness does not necessarily preclude you from holding a medical.

Q.Can I get a job as a pilot when I have my PPL? Back to top

No, the holder of a PPL is entitled to fly an aeroplane for his or her own private use with family and friends. In order for you to work as a pilot and receive payment for your services you must hold a Commercial Licence.

Q.How long is a licence valid for? Back to top

A PPL is valid for five years and the SEP(Land) Rating for 24 months. Provided the holder maintains a current medical and flies a minimum of 12 hours in the 12 months prior to rating expiry (with one of those hours being with an instructor) and completes 12 take offs and landings, the rating can be revalidated on the basis of that experience. If the experience requirements are not met a Licensing Proficiency Check flight must be carried out with an examiner.

Q.What type of aircraft will I be learning on? Back to top

Durham Tees Flight Training has a varied fleet to provide maximum flexibility for its members. The current fleet stands at two Cessna C152s, one Piper PA28 and a Bulldog. Most PPL training takes place on the two-seat C152s but if you are above average size or weight then you will have to undertake training in the PA28 four-seat aircraft which is roomier.

Q.If I learn on a Cessna and wish to fly a different sort of aeroplane after I pass, what must I do? Back to top

You must carry out conversion training with one of our instructors on each particular type you want to fly.

Q.When I have my licence do I have to buy an aeroplane? Back to top

No, you can self-fly hire one of our aircraft for your own use.

Q.Where can I take an aeroplane and can I land it anywhere? Back to top

You can take the aeroplane almost anywhere you wish and land at any civil airfield subject to its terms and conditions and our Flying Orders. For certain airfields – grass strips, for example -- you will have to take a familiarisation course beforehand.

Q.Your price list quotes by the hour, what does this mean? Back to top

You only pay for the hours you fly - this is commonly taken to be 'brakes off/brakes on' time. If you hire an aeroplane for the day you will only pay for the time it flies, subject to a minimum of 3 hours on weekdays, 5 hours over the weekend.

Q.How do I have to pay for the course? Back to top

We do not offer an extra discount for upfront bulk hour purchasing as we fix our prices as low as we can for all. All we ask is that you pay for your flying time by debit or credit card at the end of each flight.

Q.Is an aeroplane safe? Back to top

Yes, in the hands of a sensible and well-trained pilot, a light aircraft is an excellent form of transport, which can be safely landed in the rare event of an engine failure. Many people think that if the engine fails in a small aeroplane the situation is dire, this is not the case. During your course your instructor will demonstrate and subsequently teach you how to land the aeroplane safely without the benefit of engine power.

Q.Can anybody fly an aeroplane? Back to top

Flying is a skill that most people can achieve to a satisfactory level after sufficient practice. There will always be certain people who find controlling an aeroplane a little too difficult but generally 99% of people who start the course do complete it to a safe standard.

Q.What prior knowledge of the aeroplane, navigation, air law, etc do I need? Back to top

None, as long as you are keen to learn and have a good degree of common sense we will teach you all you need to know.