Learn to fly with Limerick Flying Club, where the sky is the limit!
It is not difficult to learn to fly, it just requires commitment and plenty of enthusiasm. If you decide to continue training, you will become proficient in a short time. Limerick Flying Club is a Declared Training Organisation (DTO) where members can train for a Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane).
To gain a Private Pilot License (Aeroplane), European Union Aviation Safety Agency regulations require you to demonstrate that you have the required theoretical knowledge and flying skills. The theoretical knowledge is demonstrated through written exams. To develop your flying skills, a minimum of 45 hours flying, which will include both basic and advanced tuition, is required.
Introductory Flight
Your first step towards learning to fly with Limerick Flying Club is to take an Introductory Flight. It will last about thirty minutes and will give you an excellent introduction to flying in a light aircraft. You will experience the thrills of flight, flying with one of our competent and experienced pilots.
Flight Training
The manoeuvres which you will learn are, take-off, landing, climbing, descending, and turning, most of which are perfected in the training area and in circuit practice. Stalls and emergency landing practice are conducted in the training area. Your first solo is a big day. Most students go solo after 15-25 hours instruction. Cross country and navigation training followed by solo cross-country flying completes the course. A medical certificate issued by an approved examiner will be required before you fly solo. Our current aircraft rental rates are €170 per student hour or €145 per hour as a PPL(A) holder. Most of the hours are logged as dual when training for a PPL(A).
Theoretical Knowledge (Ground School)
There is also a theoretical knowledge element to complete and there are written examinations in Air Law, Human Performance & Limitations, Meteorology, Communication, Principles of Flight, Operational Procedures, Flight Performance & Planning, Aircraft General Knowledge, and Navigation. Limerick Flying Club conducts a series of night classes for all those subjects during the winter months.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some answers to questions we commonly receive. If you have a question that is not answered here, or need any more info, please contact us.
Click here to download a pdf copy of our FAQs.
Introductory vouchers include the cost of Temporary Membership in respect of which a Temporary Membership form must be completed before the flight. Details of this form will be provided upon purchase of a voucher. Click here to download this form.
There is a prescribed training process which includes:
Because Limerick Flying Club is not a seven day a week operation and operates as a not-for profit club run exclusively by volunteers, the process of getting a PPL(A) can be a time-consuming commitment. We suggest that you should allow up to two years. Taking a longer time-frame for training, the flight hours flown can exceed fifty or more hours. This depends on personal progress. Unfortunately delays or cancellations do arise. That said, throughout we endeavor to minimize disruptions to flight and training operations.
Opportunities to fly and take lessons are dependent on a number of factors including:
There are a number of costs which you should budget for including:
Over two years we suggest a budget of €12,000. We can provide a breakdown on request.
Ground school and subsequent exams includes nine subjects being Principles of Flight, Aircraft General Knowledge, Meteorology, Human Performance & Limitations, Flight Performance and Planning, Operational Procedures, Communications, Navigation and Air Law. You do not have to be a math’s genius but good basic numerical skills will not go astray.
The club owns and operates three Italian-built Tecnam P2002JF two-seater training aircraft. They are Light Sport Aircraft and use engines made by ROTAX in Austria. You can find out more about these at club info.
There are additional aircraft based at Coonagh which belong to individuals or groups of members. They are not used for flight training by the club. However, they add to the busy airfield and club atmosphere.
We suggest that potential members and students take an introductory flight lasting 35 minutes with one of our flight instructors or designated Private Pilots. You can by a voucher for an introductory flight here.
If, having enjoyed the introductory flight experience, you decide flying is for you, then you should complete the application form for full membership. This form can be provided on request ( contact us). Once you have paid your subscription and your application is approved by the committee you will be given a personal log-on to our on-line flight booking system called GoBoKo. This is how you will book your training flights.
Some of the additional expenses you’ll incur at the start, is a personal headset, flight training manual, and a pilot’s logbook in which to record all of your flights. Allow €200 for the initial outlay.
After that you can commence flight training and in time Ground School with a view to getting your Private Pilot’s License (Aeroplane).
If you have a pre-existing medical condition which you feel may act as an impediment, we recommend you take a Flight Medical before you commence flight training. We can supply names of Aero-Medical Examiners based in your home area. . There is one such AME in Limerick City and another in Shannon. They have had special additional training for assessing the fitness of would-be pilots.
Wearing corrective lenses does not mean you cannot fly or hold a PPL(A). Being colour blind is not an impediment either. It depends on the severity of the condition. Again, a visit to the AME will establish the correct situation.
Please note that these FAQs relate to PPL(A) process. For FAQs on how the club works (club membership etc.), please see club info.