This is the traditional pathway for flying lessons and becoming a pilot http://www.mfs.com.au/MFS_PPL.htm. This involves very comprehensive legislation with strict licensing and training procedures. Want-to-be pilots will normally undertake flying training at a CASA registered flying school and progress through the ‘General Proficiency Flying Test’ (GFPT) which allows local solo flights, through to the ‘Private Pilots License’ (PPL)  allowing solo flight across Australia including controlled airspace. Those who plan on becoming paid to fly at some stage in their future will need to obtain a ‘Commercial Pilots License’ (CPL) which allows the pilot to fly for financial benefit. Other endorsements include night flying, instrument flight rules, multi-engine, command instrument ratings etc.

                Students typically learn to fly in something like a Cessna 172 http://skyhawksp.cessna.com/ or similar. Training costs are around $240 an hour with minimum hours for GFPT 20 hours (=around $5,000 + landing fees + Casa fees etc.), PPL = 50 hours minimum,(around $15,000 average once you include all related fees) and CPL 150hrs to 200 hours depending on the program.

                Currently the Tindal Flying Club has not been able to negotiate for CASA licensed flying instructors to operate from Tindal hence any flight training for CASA licenses will need to operate from Darwin International Airport. There is only one flying school in the NT ‘Darwin Flying School’ which currently offers a Cessna 172 for private hire and training and they are planning the purchase of a Cessna 152 for training and hire including acrobatic endorsements. 

                The Tindal Flying Club hopes in the long term to source and base VH-registered plane(s) in Tindal to allow CASA licensed pilots use them for private hire (but not training).  Currently those with PPL or above who wish to private hire can source VH-Registered planes from the ‘Top End Flying Club’ as they have on offer a variety of aircraft from Cessna 172’s, 182’s to 210’s http://www.xsymetrix.com.au/index.cfm?header=Top%20End%20Flying%20Club.