Recreational Flying Club Kilkenny - Interactive Club Website

Weather Feeds

9999-12-31T09:38:00.002Z

Valentia Observatory Tephigram - (c)Met Eireann http://www.met.ie/

Visual - (c)Sat24.com http://www.sat24.com/

Infrared - (c)Sat24.com www.sat24.com

Airfield Diagram

9999-12-01T23:14:00.000Z

Christmas is coming!

2011-11-06T21:31:00.000Z

If you are wondering what to give your family and friends for Christmas....... what about a Gift Voucher for a flying lesson. Flying from Kilkenny airfield, the half hour flying lesson offers a unique view of the City and its surroundings. It also offers the chance to fly the aircraft under the supervision of a flying instructor. Take a look at our Facebook page photos and videos for a better idea of what is involved. Gift vouchers can be purchased via Paypal on this site or by contacting us by phone: 051-428982.

Congratulations to Zach Macdonald on passing his PPL(A) skill test

2011-10-07T21:23:00.001+01:00

RTF Certificate

2011-09-25T15:44:00.000+01:00

D-KIAH flying over Kilkenny

2011-08-10T22:23:00.000+01:00

Rainy Day Flying - EIKK on Microsoft Flight Sim X

2011-08-05T12:39:00.005+01:00

I've recently updated the default Microsoft Flight Sim X scenery to be more realistic for Kilkenny. Below are some screenshots. If you would like to get a copy of the update for yourself email me.

Wave over Wexford in August!

2011-08-04T22:27:00.000+01:00

Photo taken on the 4th August in the evening looking North, North/west. Wind during the afternoon was 310/10G20.

Taiwan TV comes to EIKK

2011-07-28T10:09:00.001+01:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9llh3KVVgs

Wave in June ..... yet again

2011-06-27T22:08:00.005+01:00

Sunday 26th June, wind 190/15G25. Wave lasted until early afternoon. Our SF25C was on site but not flyable, awaiting a maintenance check, so we flew the TB9. 80kt, 2000 rpm, holding height and even climbing slightly. Socata should have gone for a higher aspect ratio! Orientation of wave bars roughly Callan to Thurles. Gradually destroyed by convection.

Video Clips

2010-08-07T11:23:00.004+01:00

Flying clips promoting RFC.

Visual Approach Chart During Parachute Ops

2010-08-07T11:11:00.002+01:00

From Recreational Flying Club Kilkenny - Interactive Club Website

Adrian Bouros 1st Solo

2010-07-01T17:41:00.003+01:00

Club aircraft in action

2010-06-23T14:21:00.004+01:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6gd3dybezU - Youtube video

Air to Air Photos 10th June 2010

2010-06-15T17:04:00.003+01:00

Pauls photos from the Fly-in

2009-09-27T22:05:00.001+01:00

Kilkenny Fly-in 2009

2009-09-22T11:23:00.003+01:00

Firstly, a big thank you to everyone for a very enjoyable day. It takes more than a bit of luck with the weather to make these events successful.

Here are a few photos taken on the day.

Regards Peter

Updated Editor

2009-09-13T20:51:00.000+01:00

There is a new editor if you are creating a post for the site that makes it easier to add photos and a few other things. As pilots often have photos I have upgraded to the new editor. Basically you click the add photo icon in the middle of the toolbar that appears when you create or edit a post. It then allows you to add a photo from your computer or from the web. You can add another as soon as you have selected the first, you don't have to wait too long provided your photos are not too big. Click OK to add whatever photo you have selected and click the toolbar photo icon again to add any others you have uploaded.

The clever bit is that the photo appears not at the top of the post (like the old editor forced it to do) but at the point you have reached in typing your article like a regular word processor. You also get options for placing it left, centre, or to the right in the article as well as options to make it large, medium or small. Small means you could place about 20 photos without making people scroll too far. Readers can (I think) enlarge the photos when reading if they choose as well.

For those who want all the finer detail of the new editor here is the full article:

http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/answer.py?answer=156829

Solo Cross Country. 30/7/09 (A day to remember!)

2009-07-31T21:51:00.011+01:00

The Comeragh Mountains

The new Bridge (Bai!)

Level Enough (I spose !)

Approaching Limerick Junction (and a shower!) routing from Shannon to Waterford.

Note:
No photo's of first leg Kilkenny to Shannon.......Too busy.

Changes to regulations for the continued airworthiness of EASA aircraft

2009-07-04T22:17:00.002+01:00

On the 28th September 2009 new airworthiness regulations come into force in Ireland. These affect owners of light aircraft that fall into the category of ‘EASA AIRCRAFT’.

EASA AIRCRAFT

An EASA aircraft is designed and manufactured in accordance with a certification specification (CS) approved by EASA. Currently there are three categories that apply to light aircraft and one currently under development.

CS-23 Normal, Utility and Aerobatic category
CS-22 Sailplanes and Powered Sailplanes
CS-VLA Very light aircraft (750kg)
CS-LSA Light sport aircraft (600kg) - UNDER DEVELOPMENT

NON EASA AIRCRAFT

Many light aircraft available to recreational pilots are not EASA aircraft. These aircraft are not designed or manufactured to EASA certification specifications and cannot be operated on an EASA C of A or ARC. Such aircraft are listed in Annex 2 to EC 216/2008. These are known as ‘NON EASA AIRCRAFT’ and their continuing airworthiness is regulated by the National aviation authority (NAA) of the EU state in which they are registered. This will be either by National Certificate of Airworthiness or Permit to Fly. These aircraft can only be flown within National Airspace unless specific permission has been granted by the NAA of the State you wish to visit. NON EASA AIRCRAFT are also limited to non commercial operations.

Criteria for Non EASA aircraft listed in Annex 2 to EC 216/2008

1. Historic aircraft
a) Non complex
b) Initial design before 1st Jan 1955
c) Production ceased before 1st Jan 1975
d) Clear historical significance
2. Research or prototype aircraft
3. Amateur built aircraft. Minimum 51% of construction by the owner with no commercial objective.
4. Aircraft in Military, Police or Customs service.
5. Microlight aircraft
a) Single seat up to 300kg (315kg with ballistic parachute)
b) Two seat up to 450kg (472.5kg with ballistic parachute)
c) Gyroplane up to 560kg
d) Single seat glider up to 80kg
e) Two seat glider up to 100kg
6. Replicas of historic aircraft.
7. Unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs up to 150kg.
8. Other aircraft not more than 70kg empty weight.

CONTINUING AIRWORTHINESS OF EASA AIRCRAFT

EC Reg No: 216/2008, 2042/2003 and 1056/2008 detail the regulations that apply to EASA AIRCRAFT.

Large aircraft (Max take off weight more than 5700kg) must be maintained by what is called a ‘Part 145’ maintenance organisation. Requirements for a Part 145 maintenance organisation are contained in Annex 2 to 2042/2003.

Light Aircraft may be maintained by a Part 145 maintenance organisation or by a smaller and simpler Part M, Subpart F maintenance organisation. In turn a Subpart F maintenance organisation can be approved as a Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO, Part M, Sub part G) and further, to renew Airworthiness Review Certificates or ARCs as a Part M, Subpart I approved organisation. In addition, your aircraft must have a Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) which is permanent once issued and an Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) which is annual.

Aircraft Engineers are licensed in accordance with requirements given in Annex 3 to the basic regulation (2042/2003), known as Part 66.

You will have to consult with your Part M, Subpart F or Part 145 maintenance organisation before the 28th September 2009 to create and get approval from the IAA for a maintenance programme. The IAA has created a ‘generic’ maintenance programme known as the ‘Maintenance plan light aircraft’ or MPLA. This will shortly be downloadable from their web site. This maintenance programme replaces the Light aircraft maintenance schedule (LAMS) that has been in use to date.

Then you will have to decide whether to contract your Part M, Subpart F or Part 145 maintenance organisation to manage your aircraft’s continuing airworthiness or to manage it yourself. They have to be approved as a CAMO (Subpart G) to manage your aircraft.

If you opt for the CAMO, your aircraft has to be with the same maintenance organisation for 12 months to be considered to be in a ‘Controlled environment’ and able to avail of upto 2 extensions to its ARC. This is like having a three year C of A under the old system.

If you opt to manage your aircraft’s continuing airworthiness yourself, you will need to be fully familiar with all the regulations and prepared to track Airworthiness Directives (ADs) and Service bulletins (SBs) issued for your aircraft and its components. Your engineer is not obliged to do any work beyond that requested by you. You will be responsible for ensuring that your aircraft is maintained in accordance with your MPLA (maintenance plan light aircraft). Your ARC will have to be renewed each year, involving either your Part M, Subpart F or Part 145 maintenance organisation or the IAA. This is like having a C of A every year under the old system.

CONCLUSION

While it is relatively simple to give an overview of the new system, the devil is in the detail. For example the amendment to EC No: 2042/2003, EC No: 1056/2008 introduces lighter regulation for two new categories of aircraft known as ELA1 and ELA2 – European light aircraft. ELA1 covers aerplanes, sailplanes and powered sailplanes with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of less than 1000kg. ELA2 less than 2000kg. These are not certification specifications such as CS-23. They are simply weight categories that qualify for simpler regulations for continuing airworthiness. The proposed new certification specification, CS-LSA (Light sport aircraft) is also subject to lighter regulation. CS-LSA is likely to be based on the American FAA LSA certification specification. This in turn uses the design standard ASTM F2245. However, lighter regulation does not mean unregulated pilot/owner maintenance! The requirements for Pilot/Owner maintenance are given in 2042 and its amendment 1056 and are essential reading for anyone intending to do any maintenance on their EASA aircraft. Talk to your engineer as soon as possible about the upcoming changes.

One outstanding issue with the regulations concerns EU factory built LSA aircraft that are not EASA aircraft (i.e. not built to an EASA certification specification). As factory built aircraft, they are not covered under Annex 2 as Non EASA aircraft that can be operated under National aviation authority regulations. They seem to be intended for the American Light sport aircraft (LSA) market although they are being marketed within the EU. As discussed above, EASA is proposing an LSA category but it is not yet in place. These aircraft do not appear to have a legal basis for operation within the EU at the present time. Frequently these aircraft are also available in kit form to meet the Annex 2 requirement for amateur built aircraft and as such can be operated within the EU under a National Permit to fly.

WARNING: The above article is my own personal interpretation of the new regulations. You should read the EASA regulations and consult your licensed engineer to determine how to ensure the continued airworthiness of your aircraft.

References and links:

http://www.easa.eu/
CS-23, CS-22, CS-VLA Go to: Aviation Professionals & Industry then Legislation and Certification specifications
EC Regulations 216/2008, 2042/2003 and 1056/2008 Go to: Aviation Professionals & Industry then Legislation and Regulations structure.
http://www.iaa.ie/
AAM 1/09 Maintenance and management of EASA aircraft Go to: Publications then Airworthiness Advisory Memorandum.
SI 634 of 2005 Nationality and Registration – SI 324 of 1996 Airworthiness of aircraft Go to: Publications and then Statutory instruments.
http://www.caa.co.uk/
CAP 747 Airworthiness requirements Go to: Short cuts then Publications then Search for a publication.

Wave in June?

2009-06-23T13:50:00.006+01:00

Sunday June 21st (longest day). Wind northwesterly 15kt. Marked inversion at 5000ft. Picture taken before thermal activity disrupted the system. Re-appeared in the evening. Picture taken in Wexford to the Southeast of the Blackstairs. View of the lee side of a large wave bar.

Useful Aviation-Related Webpages

2009-01-31T13:46:00.006Z

Aircraft
AvBuyer - Light aircraft sales in Europe
TB Socata Users Group - Pilots association for TB Series Socata airplanes
Dimona Touring Motorglider Spec and Information
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6gd3dybezU - Youtube video

How to keep your PPL(A) Current

2009-01-13T10:50:00.004Z

Once you have obtained your JAA PPL it remains valid for five years provided that you keep your medical certificate and fly enough hours each year to keep your certificate of experience current. Your certificate of experience is part of your licence and is valid for two years. To revalidate the certificate of experience you need to fly 12 hours in the 12 months preceding the expiry date, including a 1 hour flight with a flight instructor.

Of this requirement, at least 6 hours must be as pilot-in-command (P1) as opposed to pilot under tuition (P.u/t). Alternatively, while the certificate is still valid, you can take a 'proficiency check' with a flight examiner. If the certificate expires without being revalidated, you can 'renew' your certificate by taking a 'skill test' (flight test) with a flight examiner.

The medical certificate examination may be carried out up to 45 days before the expiry date and a consecutive period of validity will be granted.

During the period of vailidity of your JAA PPL the privilege to carry passengers depends on having flown at least three takeoffs and landings within the last 90 days. An essential feature of your JAA PPL is that you can not fly for 'hire or reward'. In other words you can not charge members of the public for pleasure flights or get paid to take aerial photographs etc.

Waterford / Shannon - Navex

2009-01-04T13:55:00.001Z

One glorious Sunday in late December everything was in place to plan my first navigation exercise into EINN with Peter. With a 30kt wind virtually parallel to track the groundspeed was going to vary a lot over the two legs. Combining the considerations of terrain, semi-circular rule and the weather that day the idea was to fly at 4500ft to Shannon and 3500ft coming back in an effort to combat the strong headwind on the return leg.

As the club airfield remained waterlogged my flight from Waterford to Shannon was going to make for an interesting sightseeing route. There were only a few small smudges of cloud but there was an inversion making the slant view across to mountain ranges sometimes appear as if we were on top of cloud with mountains peeking through. The Galtees and Comeraghs looked magnificent with Clonmel, Cahir and Tipperary Town all making for excellent reference points. The route also flew near other easy to spot landmarks like the Rock of Cashel and Bunratty Castle.

Once inside Shannon CTA clearances were given to report overhead Limerick City. It was quiet traffic-wise but what makes Shannon a little different from other places we fly to was the frequency hopping needed – Shannon, Shannon Approach, Shannon Tower and Shannon Ground. The highlight for me on the outward leg was the sight of first Limerick City, followed by routing over Shannon estuary with the best moment being staring down finals at a runway that can land the Space Shuttle!

For anyone uninitiated with full-stop landings at Shannon the following information may prove useful. You can expect to be routed to the light aircraft parking if landing on 06/24 via taxiway Alpha from 06 or Delta 1 & 2 from 24. It is possible to arrange over the radio to be picked up from the light aircraft parking and brought directly to the airside operations building where you can pay parking and landing fees, plan your return leg and I expect grab a cup of coffee. You can reach operations on 061 71 2274. The fees for this trip were €8.40 (€4.20 per tonne per movement) landing fee and €5 for parking.

If you have other intentions or end up being dropped off in the terminal building you could be asked for ID passing the immigration office and you will need to pay a visit to the information desk in the airport on the ground floor. You may be asked who your handling agent is in which case it is easiest to say you don’t have one. We had filed a return flight plan with ATC and I don’t know if this helped with getting back airside but we were instructed to dial ext 2240 which pre-informed the airport police to let us through without a boarding pass. We then went through security and were picked up by operations and brought over to their office and paid the landing fee.

We had a quick bite to eat in a cafe but perhaps unnecessary for many pilots once they realise they can request to be brought direct to ops from their aircraft by ATC. However it was quiet in Shannon at the time and it took less than 10 minutes for us to get from the information desk to Gate 1 to the operations office. During busier periods it is easy to see that going through to the terminal could lead to much longer delays than 10 minutes.

Membership and flying rates

2009-01-04T12:42:00.003Z

Currently membership costs €300 per year or 12 consecutive monthly payments of €25. The club is committed to keeping membership and flying costs as low as practicable.   Visitors are welcome at any time the club is open. To download a membership form please click here (coming soon). Return the completed form to the clubhouse. Any queries on membership please contact Kay on 051 428 982

Flying rates (August 2011):

TB9 Tampico EI-LEM              €178/hr Dual    €138/hr Solo
SF25C Motorfalke D-KIAH    €140/hr Dual    €100/hr Solo
7GCBC Citabria G-CONR       €178/hr Dual    €138/hr Solo

No additional charge for touch & goes at Kilkenny

Tips when adding something to the club website

2009-01-02T21:32:00.000Z

Read below first before typing your own article.

Add a LABEL by clicking SHOW ALL below the editor on the CREATE POST tab in Blogger to define what page to publish to once you are finished typing.

To make an important post appear temporarily or permanently at the top of a page you PUBLISH POST initially with today's date then go back and EDIT POST, click POST OPTIONS and change to an approriate future date. When this date is reached newer posts will appear ahead of it. Try to use this feature sparingly and only future-date for as long as you feel necessary.

ADD IMAGES/VIDEOS FIRST if you are adding more than one and type text around them afterwards because adding photos/videos after text, although possible, will make you tear your hair out with dragging into position. The first photo added appears last so it is simplest to add photos in the reverse order you want them displayed.

You can add material directly from your email once you set up your secret posting email on the EMAIL tab. The subject of your email will automatically become the title of the article and attached images will be added at the top.

Advanced Users Only: You can put HTML into an article. HTML added by you and automatic HTML created by typing in COMPOSE mode can be seen by clicking EDIT HTML and adding where appropriate. Javascript can not be added in a post but if you would like to add Javascript this can be done by the webmaster. Contact him by clicking on the email link at the bottom of every page.

100 Challenges in Light Aircraft Flying

2008-12-13T23:22:00.000Z

Right here is a list of 100 challenges to try that I made up (originally for Flying In Ireland Forum) some challenging, some just for fun, many that are both. Quite a few you will have acheived before getting your PPL. Make your own list or use mine but either way there is a lot you can do even here in Ireland with just your PPL.

10 Milestones

1. Fly Solo
2. Pass Ground school exams
3. Fly Solo X-Country
4. Get your wings
5. Fly 10 different types
6. Get to 100 hours (group flying insurance milestone?)
7. Get a rating
8. Island-Hop
9. Build, Buy or Co-own your own aircraft
10. Fly on the anniversary of your first solo for nostalgic blast

10 People Challenges

11. Take a family member flying
12. Take a complete stranger flying
13. Take three people flying together
14. Take a person who has never flown before
15. Take a skeptic flying
16. Take an in-law flying
17. Take an anorak flying
18. Take a work colleague flying
19. Take a friend (not another pilot) flying
20. Fly with a professional pilot (not your instructor)

10 Club Challenges

21. Help organise a fly-in
22. Help organise a fly-out
23. Help fundraise for the club (if necessary)
24. Congratulate a club member on getting their PPL
25. Attend a club social event
26. Go on a weekend flying with other club PPLs
27. Ferry a club aircraft for maintenance / refuelling etc.
28. Clean the club aircraft
29. Become a member of your club’s committee or equivalent
30. Visit a service such as ATC or MET Shannon with club members

10 Aircraft Challenges

31. Fly a taildragger – difference training
32. Fly a seaplane / floatplane
33. Fly a TMG / SLMG
34. Fly a glider
35. Fly a twin
36. Fly a complex single
37. Fly a classic aircraft
38. Fly an aerobatic aircraft
39. Fly a single-seater
40. Fly in a glass cockpit

10 Landings

41. Land at an uncontrolled aerodrome
42. Land at a controlled aerodrome
43. Land on grass
44. Land on hard surfaced runway
45. Land at a licensed aerodrome
46. Land at an unlicensed aerodrome
47. Land on water
48. Land a ‘greaser’
49. Land a taildragger on three wheels all at once
50. Land from a glide approach

10 Trip Challenges

51. Fly in another country
52. Fly to another country
53. Fly over the sea
54. Fly to an island
55. Fly to a fly-in
56. Fly to a spot-landing event
57. Drop a flour bomb on a target (if still allowed/done)
58. Fly in a restricted/danger area
59. Fly to a public airport
60. Fly along a spectacular coastline e.g. Cliffs

10 Manoeuvre Challenges
61. Stall an aircraft
62. Achieve slow-flight
63. Do a steep turn
64. Sideslip a plane
65. Fly through your own turbulence
66. Fly in formation
67. Fly a circuit with at least three other aircraft in the pattern
68. Fly a rate one turn
69. Fly an aerobatic manoeuvre other than stall, steep turn or sideslip e.g. chandelle / lazy-eight
70. Fly an S-turn

10 GA Promotion Challenges

71. Take someone to an airshow
72. Write up an air experience for a magazine / newspaper article
73. Get local media to cover an event in your club
74. Put up photos of flying on a website
75. Take part / organise a Young Eagles day
76. Show Top Gun to someone who hasn’t seen it!
77. Take a video of flying and post on the net
78. Show Lift to a child by blowing over the top of a sheet of paper
79. Wax lyrical amongst work colleagues about going flying
80. Tell a non-pilot about Oshkosh/Tannkosh

10 Safety Challenges

81. Read the GASIL safety series
82. Read a flying magazine
83. Do a farm strip flying course
84. Read an authoritative book on flying safety
85. Attend a club refresher or safety seminar
86. Practice EFATO and PFL drills regularly
87. Get in a FNPTII simulator for some emergency training
88. Give feedback to EASA/IAA on aspects of their safety regulation
89. Appoint/Become a club safety officer
90. Fly with an instructor at the start of a season

10 Trickier Challenges

91. Land at all licensed civil aerodromes on the island of Ireland
92. Land in the most north/south/western and eastern licensed aerodromes VFR in one day
93. Fly at night
94. Fly upside-down (in an approved aircraft please!)
95. Fly an ex-military type e.g. Chipmunk
96. Fly a helicopter or gyroplane
97. Land on a slope greater than 1:20 or an altiport
98. Land in 2 international countries (not Ireland) in one day
99. Take your partner flying
100. Convince your partner you are not wasting too much money nor talking too much about your hobby

The Recreational Flying Club Kilkenny

1999-12-31T23:59:00.006Z

FLYING LESSONS FROM 75 EURO
INSTRUCTION AVAILABLE 7 DAYS PER WEEK

PPL(A) Training

Single Engine Piston Landplane Class Rating

Touring Motorglider Class Rating

Tailwheel Difference Training

Introductory Flights

Relaxed atmosphere

Competitive hourly and membership rates

The Recreational Flying Club based at Kilkenny Airfield (EIKK) offers PPL(A) training on its TB9 Tampico EI-LEM and SF25C Motorfalke D-KIAH. We also offer tailwheel difference training on our Citabria 7GCBC G-CONR. Club aircraft are of course also available to members holding a PPL.
To find out more about pilot training, rates etc. click here or to find out about how to become a member click here

Find us: (Zoom in/out by clicking in top left corner, hold left mouse button to pan)

Learning to Fly

1999-12-31T12:11:00.000Z

Ever thought of getting behind the controls of a light aeroplane? Well now is your chance €100 gets you into the air with a qualified flying instructor for a 30 minute trial flying lesson and includes your first months membership.

The Recreational Flying Club operates from Kilkenny Airfield and does exactly what it says on the tin! We provide training and facilities for club members to enjoy recreational flying. Although the pilot licence that you can obtain with us is limited to private use, it is often the 1st step towards a professional licence and a career in aviation. Please feel free to give us a ring and take that first step towards enjoying the freedom of the skies.

Why Learn to Fly ?

In a sometimes stressful and pressurised life, we all need recreation. Time out to recharge the batteries. Well flying can do that. Once you sit into the pilot’s seat, you have to focus on the ‘business at hand’ and leave your day to day worries behind. The freedom of the sky becomes yours.

Flying light aircraft is challenging, rewarding, exciting and no two flights are ever the same.

Whether it’s cross country navigation, putting the aeroplane through a series of aerobatic manoeuvres, soaring in rising air currents, building your own machine or restoring vintage aeroplane, it’s a wonderful sport that can last a lifetime.

What’s Involved?

You will be taken through 19 flight training exercise spread over a minimum of 45 hours flying. Ground training covering topics such as navigation, meteorology and aircraft technical knowledge is covered with a mix of classroom and home study. We find that everyone has some knowledge or experience relevant to the syllabus and in any event, you are not studying for a degree! We hope to make it an enjoyable learning experience and who knows, you might have a laugh along the way.

So why not give it a go and take to the air!
Ring: 051-428982 or 086-3524305 to book an introductory flight

Pilot Training - Recreational Flying Club, Kilkenny

1999-12-31T11:44:00.001Z

In order for the Irish Aviation Authority to issue a Private Pilots Licence (JAR-FCL PPL Aeroplane) you must meet the following:

1. Hold a valid Class 2 (or class 1) medical from an Authorised Medical Examiner.

List of AME's Renewing medicals depends on your age. Up to 30, valid for five years, up to 50 valid for two years, over 50 valid for 12 months. The closest AME is in Wateford - Dr Malachy Coleman, The Keogh Practice, 27 Ballybricken, Waterford Tel: 051 855411. You will need a valid medical for the issue of a Student Pilot's Licence for going solo.

2. Complete an approved ground school course and pass the written exams.

There are four exams in eight subjects and the pass mark is 75%. You must pass all exams within 18 months. Exams take place every two months. See more on ground school below. List of Exam Dates and Exam Application Form

3. Complete a minimum of 45 hours flying training.

Of the 45 hours 5 hours can be credited from a BITD, FNPT or flight simulator. Also there must be at least 25 hours dual instruction and at least 10 hours of supervised solo flight time, including at least five hours of solo cross-country flight time with at least one cross-country flight of at least 270 km (150 NM), during which full stop landings at two aerodromes different from the aerodrome of departure are made. Up to 10% of flight experience (10 hours max) can be also be credited for anyone who holds a helicopter, microlight(three-axis), gyroplane or glider pilot license. There must also be a minimum of 5 hours instrument appreciation.

4. Pass a license skills test.

The test will be conducted by an IAA examiner and must take place within six months of completing flight instruction and within two years of passing the first written exam. You must have at least 5 hours dual or solo in the preceding 90 days.

For the full ground and flight training syllabus open this PDF (pages 100-111)
The Age
The minmium age to log dual flight instruction towards the grant of a PPL is 15. To apply for a Student Pilot Licence and therefore fly solo under supervision of a flight instructor is 16. To apply for your skill test (flight test) to be granted your Private Pilot's Licence is 17.
The Licence
The JAA PPL(A) is an ICAO licence and is valid throughout Europe and internationally. Successful students in the Recreational Flying Club are issued with a SEP Land Class Rating (future students will hopefully be issued also with a TMG Class Rating and tailwheel signoff). The licence is valid for all single pilot aeroplanes which are also single piston-engine landplanes. The full acronym if you want to impress your friends would therefore be JAA PPL(A) SPA with SEP LAND and TMG class ratings. It is also an ICAO licence issued under JAR-FCL.
The licence entitles you to fly aircraft in daylight and visual meteorological conditons (VMC) which means clear of cloud, in sight of the ground and purely for private purposes.
The Cost
Even flying for fun is a substantial consideration for most people. However the Recreational Flying Club has a committed aim to make PPL(A) training as affordable as practical and reviews its costs each year. It is impossible to say how much pilot training will cost a student overall but a quick summary of the current club rates/fees can give an idea:

Instructor: €40 per lesson
Aircraft from: €100 per hour
Ground School: €400.00 (including copy of notes)
Membership: €300 per year or 12 consecutive monthly payments of €25
Materials/Equipment: Various but you will need at least - Manual Flight Computer (Whizz Wheel), Plotter or Square Protractor/Ruler, Kneeboard, Sunglasses and Log Book. Many pilots will buy books for the groundschool, a time for distance scale, VFR aeronautical charts, stopwatch, headset, spare sunglasses, flight log pads, magazines and all sorts of other gadgets, equipment etc even if they are not strictly necessary. For your first few lessons however you only need yourself, a pair of sunglasses and ideally a log book to start logging those hours.
Plus Current IAA Charges

Students that are aiming for the airlines often fly intensively every day but the Recreational Flying Club is aimed at the person who wants to fly as a hobby. Many students need more than the minimum hours instruction and many budget a certain amount of money each month perhaps flying around 25 hours a year taking two-three years to get their licence.
The Lessons
Lessons are booked in two-hour slots of which one hour will be in the aircraft. The rest of the hour involves discussing the lesson with the instructor (pre-flight briefing), preparing the aircraft for flight(pre-flight/walkaround), a review of the flight after the lesson(de-brief) and answering any questions. Your lesson can naturally be hampered by the weather but if this looks likely you will be informed in advance. Even in the introductory flight the instructor will hand controls over to you and you can log the time spent in the air.
There are 19 flight exercises that you will cover in gaining your licence and you will cover some exercises many times like learning the circuit pattern, soloing, navigation etc.
The club has one flight instructor (Peter Tawse) who is dedicated full-time to training you to become a private pilot. One instructor ensures each and every time you have a lesson you don't waste expensive flying time re-tracing something you covered with another flight instructor.
The Ground School
Ground school is offered in the clubhouse during the winter when there are less opportunities to get in the air. To sit your written exams you must complete a course of theoretical knowledge that covers various topics including Air Law, Aircraft General Knowledge, Flight Performance and Planning, Human Performance and Limitations, Meteorology, Navigation, Operational Procedures, Principles of Flight, Communications and General Flight Safety. Exams are held usually in the Gresham Hotel in Dublin. You must sit all four exams on the first attempt. The four exams covering these subjects are:

Flight Performance and Planning
Human Performance and Limitations
Air Law
Aircraft General Knowledge

The course consists of fifteen two-hour sessions. Applications for the exams must reach the IAA at least 21 days before the date of the exam otherwise late fees apply.
It is also recommended that you study the material in your own time as well and some exercises to help you will be provided. There are many textbooks and CD-ROM material that can help and a quick search on the internet will return all kinds of PPL study aids.
Your Instructor
Peter Tawse first started flying in the 1970's in the UK. He has instructed in a wide variety of aircraft over the years. Peter holds a Flight Instructor's Rating for both Single-Engine Piston Landplane and Touring Motorglider.

Aircraft

1999-12-31T11:18:00.000Z

We provide training on three aircraft. EI-LEM, a Socata Tampico TB-9. D-KIAH an SF25C Motorfalke. G-CONR, a Citabria 7GCBC. Our aim is to operate these aircraft at the most competitive hourly rates possible. Flight instruction is provided by our full time instructor who is self employed and therefore you pay him separately for instruction.