AOPA - Flying Companions Course
As a corporate member of AOPA Sherburn Aero Club is delighted to offer the Flying Companions Certificate Course. The course has been designed to increase the enjoyment, participation and confidence in flying for those who regularly accompany private pilots. This includes the safe recovery and landing back to the airfield as a result of an emergency.
The course has been structured to enable those who fly regularly with a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) holder to be more involved in the flight and, therefore, more confident when flying as a passenger. Some flying companions may wish to continue training for the PPL. If so, the hours flown on the course may be counted towards that qualification. However, it should be noted that the syllabus is an abridged version of the early flight exercises and ground studies for the PPL and covers only parts of the training requirements for the Part-FCL PPL.
Similarly, those wishing to assist with the operation of the radio on a private flight would need to hold a Radiotelephony Licence and their Instructor will be able to advise how to achieve this. The training for this AOPA Certificate will not necessarily comply with the standard procedures and phraseology required by the applicant for a Radiotelephony Licence.
Course Objectives
- To increase the enjoyment, participation and confidence in flying for those who regularly accompany private pilots Completion of at least 10 hours of briefings/ lectures given by a flight instructor at a level appropriate to the requirements of the course.
- Safe recovery and landing back at the airfield as a result of a simulated emergency. This is not conducted as a test and use of Emergency Services may be made if available.
Satisfactory completion of the course will enable the candidate to obtain the Flying Companions Certificate.
Flying Training
The course consists of a minimum of eight hours of dual flying with a qualified Flight Instructor conducted within a period of 12 months. This would normally be undertaken in the type of aircraft regularly flown with the student taking control from the appropriate passenger seat.
Theoretical Knowledge Instruction
Subjects covered:
- Air Law
- Principles of Flight
- Human Performance & Limitations
Flight Training
Subjects covered:
- Effects of controls
- Making use of instruments
- Aircraft systems that need to be monitored
- Use of the radio and transponder
- How circuits are flown at an airfield
- Understand the aeronautical map
- How to use the Emergency Services
Flight Exercises
Covering:
- Cockpit familiarisation
- Use of radio
- Using controls in flight
- Flying straight and Level
- Climb, descend and turn
- Make a safe landing
- Reading an aeronautical map in the air
- A simulated emergency
Summary:
- Minimum total theoretical knowledge training hours: 10
- Minimum dual instruction hours: 8
- The course must be completed within 12 months
- No test required
- Satisfactory completion of the course will enable the candidate to obtain the Flying Companions Certificate from AOPA
- Whilst this course will teach candidates to use the radio, it is not sufficient training to hold a Radio Telephony Licence. Should the candidate wish to assist with the operation of the radio on a private flight, they will need to undertake further training to obtain the RT licence.