There is quite a bit to learn, it will take some of your time and concentration. It will require more of you than learning to drive a car, for example.

On the other hand, what you will need to learn is not especially difficult – not nearly as difficult or complicated as most non fliers think – and it can be mastered by practically anyone who is willing to devote a little effort to it.

An important point is that you will be doing all your learning under the supervision of a highly qualified, licensed instructor and, because flying is taught on an individual needs basis, your instructor can and will customize the course of instruction to suit you and your individual needs.

There are two aspects of learning to fly – the actual ‘driving’ of the aircraft and the ‘book learning’.

You will learn to ‘drive’ by ‘driving’ – actually handling the controls of the aircraft yourself. Under the supervision of your instructor, you will not only learn how to take off, land and fly straight and level, you will learn how to make the aircraft do just what you want it to do, and how to handle any emergency – including weather, engine trouble in flight and forced landings. The ‘book learning’ covers flight planning, navigation, radio procedures, flight rules, regulations and the weather.

When you are ready for your private licence test you will be a competent pilot. The experience of future flying hours will certainly teach you more but you will be well equipped with the basic knowledge and skills necessary for safe flying.

Government regulations covering pilot licences are specific about minimum requirements but, at the same time, leave much to the judgment of your instructor.

For example, the instructor determines when a student pilot can begin to fly solo. When he/she is satisfied that the student can handle the aircraft safely and knows the appropriate flight rules and regulations, he endorses the student’s logbook for solo flight. An average student can expect to receive solo endorsement after ten to twelve hours of dual instruction.

Once you are authorised for solo, you can fly within the training area when you want – provided your instructor feels you are competent for the particular trip. Your instructor must OK each flight and you must go alone – NO PASSENGERS.

The Private Licence allows you to fly with passengers anywhere in Australia. You are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours flying, of which 10 hours must be solo.

That is largely up to you and your instructor.

The consensus is that one to one and a half hours flying time per week is a good learning rate with more hours during the week when cross country flights are made. This would mean six to eight months to get the Private Licence. It is possible to do it just in a few weeks, however the majority choose to fly for up to a year before completing their training.

Do I have to have a physical examination? Can I fly if I wear glasses?

There are minimum age requirements – 16 years for a Student Licence, 17 years for a Private Licence and 18 years for a commercial Licence – but nothing about maximum age requirements. In fact, assuming continued good general health, advancing years have little to do with a person’s ability to fly safely.

A medical examination, by a doctor approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, is required every 4 years for private pilots. It is not a difficult examination and designed only to ensure that the applicant has no physical or medical problems that would interfere with the ability to fly safely. Physical handicaps are not automatic barriers. In fact, there are countless pilots who are handicapped or crippled in some way. Only the ability to control an aircraft counts.

Many pilots wear spectacles, however there are limits to the standard of sight and the doctor carrying out your initial medical examination will advise you of the required standards.

Very few – and a high school education is not one of them. Concerning education, the regulations only say that an applicant for a pilot licence must “be able to read, speak and understand the English language”.

From a practical standpoint, there are some simple mathematics involved in flight planning and navigation, but nothing very complicated, and a portion of your training will be given to make sure you can solve these problems.

You need not be a mechanic or posses mechanical skills or aptitude. Nor do you need the physical coordination of an athlete. Just about anyone who can learn to drive a car can learn to fly.

Actually – simple as it my sound – the three basic prerequisites to becoming a good pilot are common sense, a desire to learn to fly and a willingness to stay within the boundaries of both flight regulations and your own piloting ability.