Flight Training

We offer personalised training that's fully customisable around your schedule and budget. This means you can organise your training around your work, study and personal commitments. If you live remotely, we're able to deliver training at your home town or property. We've done this for students who run businesses and stations in different parts of Queensland and with a bit of notice, we can do the same for you.

Licences & Certificates

Recreational Pilot's Certificate

Learning to fly is an exciting journey. From your Trial Introductory Flight (TIF) to your first solo, passing your theory exams, learning to navigate, gaining your pilot certificate, and then taking a friend or loved one with you for the first time and sharing your passion with them. 


Get started:

  • Book a Trial Introductory Flight
  • Get a 3-month FREE membership with RA Aus
  • Start flying lessons and work towards achieving your first solo flight
  • Complete the required Recreational Pilot Certificate exams, training as required in our syllabus, and pass a flight test

Recreational Pilot's Licence

Training for your Recreational Pilot's Licence is the first step towards gaining your Private Pilot's Licence. You'll learn the basics of how to fly an aeroplane and once you have shown proficiency, your instructor will send you on your first solo flight. 


Minimum requirements:

  • 16 years of age
  • Hold an ASIC 
  • Pass required medical prior to first solo 
  • Pass english language proficiency test
  • Pass four theory exams and flight test 

Private Pilot's Licence

Once you have gained your RPL, you can progess towards completing your PPL. You will learn how to navigate cross-country, communicate with air traffic control and understand weather conditions. Once completed, this licence will allow you to fly anywhere in Australia in daylight, visual conditions. 


Minimum requirements:

  • 17 years of age
  • Complete the required navigational training exercises
  • Pass PPL theory exam and flight test

Commercial Pilot's Licence

The Commercial Pilot Licence is the basis for your career in aviation. This licence allows you to seek employment in general aviation and airlines.  A multi-engine command instrument rating may be required for some career paths and DDAC is able to deliver this training. 


Minimum requirements:

  • 18 years of age 
  • Pass Class 1 medical examination
  • Pass all seven CPL theory exams
  • Pass CPL flight test
  • 200 hours aeronautical experience and meet CASA requirements

Ratings & Endorsements

Manual Pitch Propeller Control & Retractable Gear

Getting your Manual Pitch Propeller Control endorsement allows you to fly more complex and powerful aircraft that have variable pitch propellers. The Retractable Gear rating enables you to fly aircraft with retractable undercarriage. We can perform training for both of these ratings simultaneously in our R182. 


Pre-requisite: Private Pilot's Licence 

Duration: approx. 2 days fulltime

Multi Engine Rating

The initial multi-engine class rating will cover all aspects of operating a multi-engine aeroplane. This includes normal and abnormal operations, multi-engine flying, performance, engine failure and asymmetric handling.


Pre-requisite: Private Pilot's Licence 

Duration: approx. 1 week fulltime

Instrument Rating

An Instrument Rating qualifies you to fly cross country without visual reference to ground. This may include flying in or on top of cloud, or at other times when visibility is reduced below visual flight minimums. The course covers all of the necessary skills, knowledge and experience including instrument procedures such as RNAV, ILS/LLZ, VOR and DME/GNSS arrivals. NDB approaches are an optional extra.


Pre-requisite: Private Pilot's Licence 

Duration: approx. 4 weeks fulltime

Night Rating

The intention of the Night Visual Flight Rating is to enable pilots to continue daylight flight and arrive at a suitably equipped airport after dark, in visual conditions. Whilst it is legal to do so, it is not recommended to be used for departure late at night or early in the morning to an area free of extensive ground lighting. An Instrument Rating is recommended for flights in or to remote areas.


Pre-requisite: Private Pilot's Licence 

Duration: approx. 1 week fulltime

Private Instrument Flight Rating

The PIFR can be tailor-made to suit the pilot.  The initial issue is an en route rating, allowing the pilot to file an IFR flight plan and operate in IMC above LSALT en route only. Take-off and landing, and any other flight below LSALT, must be conducted in VMC. Endorsements can be added either at the initial issue or later. These include:

  • Instrument Departure
  • RNP2D Approach (a GNSS approach to instrument minima)
  • Night (which allows the holder to fly at night under IFR)

To obtain a PIFR, the following requirements need to be met:

  • Pre-requisite: Private Pilot's Licence 
  • 20 hours of instrument flight time with a qualified instructor
  • Pass one of the following aeronautical theory exams; IREX, CASA PIFR exam, approved in-house flight school exam

Recreational Aviation Australia

RAA to PPL

Hold an RA Aus Pilot's Certificate and want to qualify for a CASA Pilot's Licence?


GA qualifications open the door to more advanced flight training such as a Night, & Instrument Ratings, Aerobatics, or a Commercial Pilot's Licence. Converting your RA Aus Certificate to a Recreational Pilot's Licence and progressing to a Private Pilot's Licence will enable you fly bigger, more capable and complex aircraft with more than 2 seats.

Minimum age requirements

Minimum age for RPL conversion is 16 years. Minimum age for PPL conversion is 17 years.

Minimum standards

Meet the requirements outlined in DDAC's CASA approved Manual of Standards. If necessary, your Flight Instructor will be able to help you improve any skills necessary to pass your Flight Test.

Flight experience minimums

In a Civil Registered aircraft, you'll need to complete 5 hours of flight time as Pilot in Command, and 5 hours of Cross Country flight time as Pilot in Command.

Pass theory exams

Pass the relevant theory exams as advised by your Flight Instructor. You can begin studying for these whenever you like.

Previous flight experience

You'll need to provide legitimate proof that you have 40 hours flight time in a Recognised/Registered aircraft, or Group A Ultralight.

Instrument and navigation

You'll need 2 hours of Instrument Flight time in a Civil Registered aircraft, 1 Solo Flight of at least 150nm with 1 Full Stop landing at 2 or more airfields outside of the training area.

PPL to RAA

You're already a licenced pilot but want to fly Light Sport Aircraft?


You probably started your training in a Cessna 150, or something similar, and then progressed to "bigger and better" aircraft. Get qualified to fly Light Sport Aicraft (LSA) with an RA Aus Pilot's Certificate.

Get started

You're already licenced, so there's just a few minimum requirements you need to meet. Start familiarising yourself with the LSA's Pilot's Operating Handbook.

Time to fly

Complete a minimum of 5 hours flight time, including 1 hour PIC in an RAAus registered aircraft, or we will recognise previous experience if you have already completed 5 hours flight time, including 1 hour PIC in an aircraft capable of being registered with RAAus (<600KG MTOW).

Admin duties

Become a financial member of Recreational Aviation Australia. Discuss a training plan with your instructor and book in your lessons.

New skill acquired!

Complete the RAAus converting pilot exam and get ready to enjoy your shiny new Pilot's Certificate. Welcome to the world of flying Light Sport Aicraft!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I want to learn to fly and get a Pilot's Licence or Certificate

    If you want to fly for fun or as a career, we offer a few different options for you to begin your flight training. 


    Getting a Recreational Pilot's Certificate allows you to fly Light-Sport Aircraft. If you want to convert your Certificate to a CASA Pilot's Licence later on so you can fly bigger aircraft under different flight rules, this is possible with additional training. 


    If you want to pursue a career as a Pilot, or fly bigger, faster and heavier aeroplanes, you'll need to get a Private Pilot's Licence or Commercial Pilot's Licence. 

  • I already hold a Pilot's Licence or Certifcate and want to add to my skills

    If you already hold a Recreational Pilot's Certificate and want to build more skills flying LSAs, we can help you train for these Endorsements:

    • Cross Country
    • Nose Wheel
    • Passenger 
    • Radio Operator

    For holders of a Recreational Pilot's Certificate who want to fly bigger, faster, heavier aircraft under different flight rules, we can provide you with the training to convert to a CASA Pilot's Licence. 


    If you hold a Private or Commercial Pilot's Licence, we provide training for the issue of a number of Ratings and Endorsements. 

  • What else do I need to organise before I can hold a Pilot's Licence or Certificate?

    There are a few administrative tasks and medical appointments you're going to need to complete and attend. 


    If your intention is to train for the Recreational Pilot's Certificate, you will need:

    • RA Aus membership
    • Driver's Licence Medical - book with your  GP and complete necessary forms. 

    If you're training for a Private or Commercial Pilot's Licence, click here to find out what you need to get organised. 

  • How much is flight training for a Pilot's Licence or Certificate going to cost?

    All flight training is competency-based. This means that your instructor will train with you until you meet the standard required. 


    Both CASA ad RA Aus specify training hour minimums for Licences and Certificates respectively. Everyone learns at different speeds throughout their training so it's normal that the hours it takes to complete the training will differ between students. 


    Find out how much money you need to budget by clicking here.

  • I already have a Pilot's Licence and want to be able to fly Light Sport Aircraft

    If you already hold a CASA Pilot's Licence and want to add an RA Aus Pilot's Certificate to your skillset, click here to find out what's required. 

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