PPL Course Information

• Theory conducted onsite in our 3 week course (full time - Mon to Fri)
• 3 ½ hour PPL theory exam conducted in-house
• You can start your flight training during theory course weeks
• Move onto full time flight training once exam passed
• Full time flight training helps keep the length of time and number of hours required down

• Grab the book pack and self-study the theory (private tutoring sessions are also available)
• PPL exam can be conducted onsite or at any ASPEQ exam centre
• Undertake flight training at a pace that suits your schedule (i.e. once or twice a week, or come in for a week or two at a time)
• Regular training recommended for continuity and to minimise additional flight training hours to reach competency
• Start whenever you are ready

If you know that you would like to complete your PPL now and CPL down the track, you can tackle the CPL theory from the start. This requires more commitment up front but will save you time in the long run

• 12 week CPL theory course - 7 subjects & exams
• 4 intakes each year
• CPL theory supersedes PPL so once all 7 exams passed you have met the theory requirement for your PPL flight test
• Start flight training during or after CPL theory course

We run an intensive 3 week full time (Mon-Fri) course covering the 7 subjects that make up the PPL theory exam.

The cost of this course is $3,600 including the PPL book pack.

Students can also choose to self-study the theory if they are very motivated learners. Details on study options can be found in the course guide. 

We usually recommend tackling the theory at the start of your training so that it doesn't sneak up on you when you're nearly finished your flight training hours.

Our next course starts on the 20th May 2024 and enrolments are open now!

Register now to secure your spot

You can begin flight training for your PPL at any time - full time or part time.

For part time training, it's best to fly as often as possible for consistency and to reduce the number of additional hours you require to reach competency. This could mean flying once or twice a week, or coming in for a couple of blocks of full time training. You don't want to leave large gaps between lessons.

Costs do vary, as the number of flight hours needed is determined by competency. An approximate cost with the minimum 40 flight training hours in an R22 is $32,500 (including theory course and flight test costs).

Flight training is paid in 10 hour blocks in advance. Training is competency based and may require more than the minimum hours, so it's wise to budget for around 50 hours training.

There are weight restrictions on the following aircraft. You will not be able to train in an aircraft type if you are above the maximum weight. Details on our fleet can be found in the attached course guide.

• R22: 109kg
• R44: 136kg

Townsville Helicopters uses specific text books and flight training materials for our PPL course. The PPL book pack contains everything you'll need to study with and take with you into the PPL exam.

• PPL text book pack: $1200
• Flight Training Induction pack: $350

These can either be delivered directly to you, or be ready onsite for the start of your theory course. Books should be ordered at least 3 weeks out from the start of the course to ensure delivery.

The following are documents you are required by CASA to hold in order to obtain an Australian Private Pilot Licence. These are required before you can undertake solo flight training so it's best to get them organised before you start.

1. Aviation Reference Number (ARN)
2. Class 2 Aviation Medical
3. Aviation Security ID Card (ASIC)

You will need your ARN before you can start your other applications. We recommend starting these processes around 6 weeks out from the course start date to allow enough time for everything to be finalised. 

A full step-by-step guide will be provided once you have decided to proceed with an enrolment.

Would you like to experience flying before you start a course? Townsville Helicopters conducts Trial Introductory Flights (TIF) where you get to fly the helicopter. This also gives you an opportunity to see our facilities and chat to an instructor about the course. 

FIND OUR MORE AND BOOK YOUR TIF HERE