What can I do with my Recreational Pilot Licence?
A Recreational Pilot Licence allows you to be pilot in command of an aeroplane and carry a passenger up to a distance of 25nm from your home airfield.
The aeroplane must be a single engine piston powered aircraft and can’t have a maximum weight of more than 1500 kilograms.
You can only fly by day and in good weather conditions.
What do I need to do to get my Recreational Pilot Licence?
- Flight time – The minimum flying experience required is 20 hours dual (with an instructor) and 5 hours’ solo.
- You must be at least 16 years of age to hold an RPL. You can begin training before you are 16 and you can “solo” as a student at age 15.
- Theory – Before you obtain your RPL you will need to pass pre-solo exams and the CASA RPL written exam. Your instructors will guide you through this theoretical training.
- Medical – you must hold an appropriate medical certificate to fly solo as a student and to exercise the privileges of your licence.
- You can find more information on getting your Recreational Pilot Licence on the CASA website:
Getting a recreational pilot licence (RPL) | Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Endorsements
Once you have achieved your RPL, you may want to add to your skills and fly further afield by completing some of the following endorsements:
Recreational Navigation – allows you to fly cross country i.e. beyond the training area and further than 25nm from your home airfield;
Controlled Aerodrome – allows you to fly at aerodromes with control towers;
Controlled Airspace – allows you to fly in airspace managed by air traffic controllers.
