So you passed your PPL skills test and have a PPL licence. You’ve spent some time flying cross country trips in the UK, and maybe overseas. Perhaps you are seeking a new challenge and wondering what other qualifications you can add?
Some are more demanding than others, but here a list.
| Pre-requisites | Theoretical knowledge | Minimum training | Licence issue | |
| Night rating | None | Ground school briefing | 5 hours, incl. 1 hour dual cross-country & 5 solo take offs and landings | Application form and fee to CAA |
| IR(R) or IMC rating | 10 hrs PiC (incl 5 hrs cross-country) post licence issue | Single theory exam (paper) | 15 hours of which 10 hours FBSRI | 25 hours post-licence issue (which can include the IR(R) training itself |
| Flight instructor (FI) for LAPL only | PPL(A) + 10 hrs instrument training +
20 hr PiC cross-country + QXC 300 nm with 2 intermediate landings
30 hr SEP (of which 5 hr in 6 month prior to pre-entry test) |
25 hr of teaching and learning;
100 hr TK
|
Pre-entry test +
30 hr flight instruction, of which 25 hr dual ; rest could be mutual flying with another FI student |
Test (AoC)
200 hr total flight time of which 150 hr PiC |
| Flight instructor (FI) LAPL & PPL | As above + CPL(A) or PPL(A) | As above + for a PPL holder – CPL TK | As above | As above |
| Modular CPL | 150 hours total flight time
Night rating (or can be done on CPL course) |
ATPL / CPL theory completed prior to flight training | Pre-entry test +
25 hours instruction, of which 10 hr instrument flying (unless an IR is already held) At least 5 hours in 4-seat complex aircraft |
Skills test
200 hrs total time (incl CPL training) of which 100 hr PiC 20 hr PiC cross country |
Have chat with your CFI to figure out what would be the best option for you. And with that in mind, start building the required hours and cross-country experience.