Menu

Information on Becoming a Pilot
(a) Information (b) FAQs on becoming a pilot

Becoming A Pilot

Flying is a challenge and it is a fun. To fly an aircraft ably and safely is a huge achievement. Flying is a fast, safe and cost-effective way to travel. Whether you want to fly a small aircraft during the weekends, or a Big Jet for an airline, you will follow much the same process. You will learn about yourself, the aircraft, the weather, the flying environment, and the rules pilots use to keep their flying safe.

After enrols yourself as a student pilot at our flying club, we will apply to DCA for a Student Pilot License (SPL). This license will authorize you to fly instructional (dual) sortie with our instructor. The prerequisite for SPL is to pass Class 2 medical examination. There is no minimum academic requirement to a PPL pilot.

Medical

Private Pilots must pass a Class 2 medical examination (Same requirement as SPL medical). This examination must only be carried out by specialist aviation doctors, located throughout Malaysia. During the Class 2 medical examination your general health, hearing and eyesight will be tested. If you are aged under 40, you must renew your medical every two years. If you are between 40 and 60 your medical lasts for one year, and if you are 60 or older it is valid for six months.

You can find a recommended clinic at:

Dr. Medora Firdos
Medora Clinic & Surgery
43 Upper Paya Lebar Road
Singapore 534808
Tel: +65 62880035

Twin Towers Medical Centre KLCC Sdn Bhd
Lot 401 F & G, Level 4, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre
50088 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: (603) 2382 3500

Becoming A Pilot

Flying is a challenge and it is a fun. To fly an aircraft ably and safely is a huge achievement. Flying is a fast, safe and cost-effective way to travel. Whether you want to fly a small aircraft during the weekends, or a Big Jet for an airline, you will follow much the same process. You will learn about yourself, the aircraft, the weather, the flying environment, and the rules pilots use to keep their flying safe.

After enrols yourself as a student pilot at our flying club, we will apply to DCA for a Student Pilot License (SPL). This license will authorize you to fly instructional (dual) sortie with our instructor. The prerequisite for SPL is to pass Class 2 medical examination. There is no minimum academic requirement to a PPL pilot.

Flying Lessons

You will learn to fly progressively. Early lessons cover the basics, like controlling the aircraft in straight and level flight. The structure and sequence of lessons creates a building block process, where previous learning is reinforced and developed in succeeding lessons. Eventually you will cover everything you need to be a capable and safe pilot. Most students will fly solo for the first time after about 10 to 15 hours of flying lessons. A full PPL requires a minimum of 45 hours of flying, but most students have about 70 hours before they are ready for the flight test. Each flying lesson typically lasts about 45 minutes. Your instructor will usually give you a briefing before the flight so you will know what to expect, and what is required of you. A debriefing after the flight helps to consolidate what you have learned. You must log every flight. We will provide you a pilot’s logbook to record the date of each flight, the aircraft type and registration, the name of your instructor, the length of your flight, where you went and what you did. You can take your flying lessons as frequently as time and finances allow, but, it is advisable to plan for regular sessions. One lesson every week or 10 days will ensure cost effective training.

Private Pilot License Ground Examinations

The six (6) PPL examinations are set at about the same level as O level examinations. A pass mark of 70 percent or greater is required. Learning about the flying environment, and your aircraft, is part of being a safe and competent pilot. Our experienced ground instructors will help you prepare for these examinations. You do not have to pass these examinations before you begin your flying lessons, but it is advisable to sit them progressively while learning to fly, as some examination passes are required before you can fly solo cross-countries.

Air Navigation and Flight Planning

You will learn to calculate the distance of your planned flight, what compass heading you will need to fly, how long it will take you, and how much fuel you need to get there. You will also learn to use maps that are specifically designed for aviation.

Aircraft Technical Knowledge

Understanding how your aircraft flies, and its systems, enables you to make safe flying decisions. As a trainee pilot, you will learn about aerodynamics, engines, electrical systems, your flight instruments and loading your aircraft. Helicopter pilots and aeroplane pilots sit slightly different Aircraft Technical Knowledge exams.

Meteorology

The weather has a major bearing on your flying. Often flights will be cancelled or delayed because of the weather. You will learn about Malaysia’s weather patterns, about cloud formations, and about how different weather conditions affect the performance of your aircraft. With this knowledge, you will be able to develop decision-making skills essential to safe flying.

Human Factors

Human error is one of the most common causes of air accidents worldwide. It is, therefore, important to understand the human element in aviation. Areas of study include: aviation medicine and health, stress management, and decision-making.

Flight Radiotelephony

Pilots keep in contact with air traffic controllers, and with each other, by radio. As a trainee pilot, you will learn the terms and phrases pilots use to make these communications clear and free from misunderstanding. You will also learn how to operate your aircraft’s transponder and emergency locator beacon. It includes both theory and practical exams.

Air Law

Everyone in aviation follows the same set of standards when they are flying. These standards are set out in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1996. As a trainee pilot, you will develop a working knowledge of these rules.

Getting Your License

When you have gained your medical certificate, passed all your exams, have the required flying experience, and passed your flight test, we will apply to DCA for the issue of a PPL. And from now on, you are a licensed pilot and you can enjoying the freedom of flight not only yourself but with your family members and your friends.

FAQs on Becoming a Pilot

How long will it take to learn to fly.

The duration of training is very much depends on your personal progress. The syllabus of training must provide for a minimum of 45 hours of flight time. More realistically, the average hours required to reach PPL standard on a part-time basis over a period of about 12 to 18 months is about 60 to 70 hours. however there are students who complete whole training on a full-time basis in just a month.

What will be the complete cost to obtain my PPL.

The cost is about RM15,000 to RM22,000 and this amount will cover the flight training, ground school and books that are required during training. However it is also depends on individual progress and fuel price.Here is a rough estimate:

35 hrs dual @ RM330.00 = RM11,550.00
10 hrs solo @ RM280.00 = RM2,800.00
Membership RM800 (Malaysian) or RM1,200(non-Malaysian)
Subscription Fee (1 year) RM600
Flying Deposit RM1,000
Other Costs RM1,000
(excluding Medical exam, Exams, Flight tests, license issuing fee and training materials)

Total approx RM17,750.00

Getting Your License

When you have gained your medical certificate, passed all your exams, have the required flying experience, and passed your flight test, we will apply to DCA for the issue of a PPL. And from now on, you are a licensed pilot and you can enjoying the freedom of flight not only yourself but with your family members and your friends.

Do I need any qualifications to learn to fly?

NO, you don't need any educational qualifications for PPL. However, you need to understand English as the instructions and examinations are in English.

Is the Ground School very difficult?

There is a lot to learn but our ground school and flight training are designed to take you through the material one step at a time. You'll likely find the subjects fascinating and fun! Your training is personalized and we only progress to new material when you're ready.

How safe is learning to fly?

You are statistically safer in a light aircraft than in the car that you drove to the airport. You will be in the hands of highly trained Instructors and Our aircraft are constructed and maintained to rigid DCA specifications. They are checked and re-checked to ensure that they are mechanically and structurally safe. We emphasizes safety above all else and our training reflects this. Safe planes and safe pilots make flying the safest form of transportation.

I'm shortsighted, can I still fly?

Wearing eye glasses and contact lenses are acceptable for flying. Many pilots wear glasses. The legal minimum requirement is 6/12 corrected - only slightly better than is required for a driver's licence.

Is my Malaysian PPL licence recognised by other countries?

Most countries operating under the UKCAA Ruling will accept a Malaysian licence. If you wish to convert the Malaysian Licence to a foreign licence, you are advised to check with the Aviation Authorities in that country for the requirements.

Malaysia is an ICAO signatory. Hence all other countries who are ICAO signatories, will honour your licence (subject to their local additional requirements to be met by you).

I wish to become a professional pilot, does the club offer further training to CPL or ATPL level?

We offer flight training up to PPL level only (no IR/night/IMC rating) and all professional training must be done in flying schools, however generally for PPL holders who wish to pursuit professional licence such as CPL, 40 to 45 hours can be credited for the Single Engine Aircraft and the ground examinations for Radio Telephony and Practical are exempted provide you have the approval from the Department of Civil Aviation, Malaysia.

I hold a valid non-Malaysian PPL wishes to convert to a Malaysian PPL, do I have to retrain all over again?

No, as long as your licence still valid, we can help you to covert to Malaysian PPL, generally you need to:
a)sit for Air law and HPL exam b)pass an Initial Medical Examination (Malaysian Class II medical)
c)Produce your logbook as evidence of recent flying experience of 5 hours pilot-in-command in the past 13 months
d)Fly with our instructor for about 5hrs-10hrs
e)Pass a practical flight test conducted by DCA examiners or its Authorised Examiner

I am from overseas and wish to obtain PPL from your club and clock certain hrs, can you provide details?

We welcome overseas student pilot joining us to get your wings, as a club we can help you to find suitable accommodation and transport around airport,however you are required to seek advice from Malaysian embassy in your country for the visa requirement and at current stage, we are unable to assist you in getting visa clearance. We are also unable to provide any loan for your flight training.

If you have a valid Malaysian PPL (or foreign licence can be converted to Malaysian PPL) want to clock hours in our club, you are welcome too, join us as club member (or visiting membership RM100 for one month, max one month per year)and pay as you fly, contact us for block hour purchase.

I already have a PPL and does the club offer additional ratings such as night rating or IR?

There is no Night/IR/IMC rating issue to PPL licence holders in Malaysia, however we have ATPL rated experienced instructors who can teach you more advance flying which are beyond normal PPL syllabus, please contact us for more details.

How can I be sure I will enjoy flying?

You can try our Experience flight today, contact the club for more details.