As an RAAus Approved Training Centre since 1992, RPA is committed to excellence in recreational flight training. We share our passion for aviation with a steadfast focus on safety, professional standards, and sound pilot judgement.
We are dedicated to helping you reach your goals at your own speed, ensuring safety is at the heart of your training.
Before booking your trial instructional flight, please visit the RAAus website and sign up for the free 3-month Temporary Membership. As part of the application you will be asked to read and agree to RAAus's terms, conditions, and waivers, and you will receive a membership number — please have this ready when you contact us to book.
This temporary membership is what allows you to undertake your Trial Instructional Flight with RPA.
Once you have your membership number, get in touch and we'll book you in for your first flight.
YOUR FLIGHT TRAINING
- Training at RPA balances practical flying with essential classroom briefings. Your journey usually begins with a 30-minute trial flight. Once you have registered for your free temporary RA-Aus (Recreational Aviation Australia) membership and completed a briefing, you are ready to take to the skies.
- After your initial flight, lessons are scheduled to fit your routine. You can complete up to three hours of training before needing to join RA-Aus fully.
- Progress is entirely student-focused; whether you fly weekly or daily, our instructors ensure you meet high safety standards.
- The curriculum follows a structured syllabus of dual flight lessons and theory.
- Your first milestone is the pre-solo written exam. Passing this, combined with reaching solo flight standard, leads to your first solo—a pivotal and rewarding moment overseen by your instructor.
- Following your solo, you will continue with dual and independent flying to prepare for your Pilot Certificate flight test.
- You will complete four multiple-choice exams: Air Legislation, Radio, Human Factors, and Basic Aeronautical Knowledge (BAK).
- Throughout every stage, RPA prioritises mastery and confidence over rushing, ensuring you are truly ready for your certificate.
Flexible Training Without Contracts – Pay As You Go
Enjoy the freedom of training at your own pace with our flexible pay-as-you-go model. There are no long-term contracts or hidden fees, allowing you to focus on your instruction with full peace of mind and financial control over your journey.
Stage 1
Foundational Training
Start your journey with fundamental dual lessons. You will focus on essential aircraft handling, pre-flight checklists, and situational awareness. Each session is a structured exercise involving a professional briefing and debriefing to meet RA-Aus standards as you build your skills.
Stage 3
Certification Phase
In the final stage, you will focus on advanced navigation and preparing for your Pilot Certificate flight test. Training is conducted according to RA-Aus and CASA standards, providing you with clear benchmarks so you feel confident and prepared for your final qualification.
Stage 2
Solo Proficiency & Skills
Stage 2 is about developing consistency and reliable judgement. You will master take-offs, landings, and emergency procedures through expert instruction. Once you demonstrate the required safety and competence, you will move to the exciting milestone of supervised solo flying.
Endorsements
Your initial Pilot Certificate grants the ability to hire aircraft and fly within 25 miles of your airfield. To expand your horizons, we offer additional endorsements for various flying goals. These include Passenger and Cross Country endorsements, as well as Formation and specialized partner training.
PASSENGER ENDORSEMENT
Once you hold your Pilot Certificate, you can share the joy of flight with friends and family. After achieving approximately 10 hours of pilot-in-command (PIC) time, you can complete this endorsement to start taking passengers on your recreational adventures.
INSTRUCTOR RATING
If you are passionate about helping others learn to fly, our instructor training is the next step. This involves approximately 20 hours of flight training and 30 hours of theory. This rating allows you to guide new students under the supervision of the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI).
TAILWHEEL ENDORSEMENT
Interested in the classic art of flying tailwheel aircraft? Whether you have purchased your own or want to expand your skills, RPA provides expert conversion training to help you master these unique and rewarding aeroplanes.
CROSS COUNTRY ENDORSEMENT
This endorsement expands your range to all of Australia outside controlled airspace. It requires a minimum of 10 hours of navigation training (including 2 hours solo), theory exams, and a flight test. It is the key to truly exploring the country from the air.
GA TO RA-AUS CONVERSION
Already trained in General Aviation (GA) and looking to transition? We offer efficient conversion training to Recreational Aviation Australia. This typically takes 5–10 hours plus theory exams, allowing you to enjoy the cost-effective and fun world of recreational flying.
FORMATION ENDORSEMENT
Take your skills to a higher level by learning to fly in formation. This involves 5-10 hours of training, ideally with a flying partner. You will learn techniques like echelon and line astern, allowing you to fly safely within 100 feet of other aircraft. This also counts as a BFR.
ADVANCED PILOT AWARD
Challenge yourself with advanced maneuvers designed for superior mastery. This training covers steep lazy eights, 360-degree gliding turns, extensive side slipping, and recovery from stalls in climbing turns. You will also refine advanced engine failure procedures and short-field approach techniques.
IN-FLIGHT ADJUSTABLE PROPELLER
OR
RETRACTABLE UNDERCARRIAGE
If you are moving into high-performance aircraft, we provide the necessary endorsements for retractable undercarriage and in-flight adjustable propellers. Our training ensures you are fully competent in managing these advanced aircraft systems.
PARTNER TRAINING
Designed for the frequent passenger or partner of a pilot, this course provides peace of mind. Over 5 hours of flight and theory training, you will learn the basics of handling and landing the aircraft should the pilot ever become incapacitated while you are flying together.