Understanding your First Licence Issue
The term "Recreational Pilots Licence" can be confusing. This is because the term is often used when describing a "Pilots Certificate" (RPC) issued by Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus)
Instead of commencing your training in a RAA registered aircraft and gaining a RPC you can begin your journey in aviation with a Recreational Pilots Licence issued by The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). To do this path of training you must do it under CASA guidelines. This means using a certified aeroplane registered with CASA.
For some people this is the only way to learn to fly. A sub 600 kg aeroplane registered with RAAus can seem a little lightweight and flimsy (in fact they are not) compared to a fully certified CASA registered aircraft bearing Australian Commonwealth registration. If this is you, Ariel Aviation can help. We operate a modern Liberty training aircraft that is fully certified and maintained to exacting CASA regulations. We also use this aricraft to do the required flight review should you wish to optain your RPL via the RPC issued by RAAus.
The curriculum or syllabus for learning is essentially the same as for RAAus. The hours requirements are also very similar. The cost is somewhat higher. Like a RAAus Pilots Certificate, a RPL issued by CASA comes with a 25 nautical mile limitation until a navigation endorsement is added. You can then add a controlled airspace endorsement and fly anywhere in Australia. Unlike the RAAus two seat, one passenger limitation, you can carry up to three passengers in a 4 seat aircraft weighing up to 1500 kg.
Two Paths to a CASA issued Recreational Pilots Licence
In summary, you can obtain a Recreational Pilots Licence in two ways. You can do all your training in a RAAus registered sub 600kG aircraft then on completion of a RPC gain a RPL simply by application to CASA. If you have a RPL with a navigation endorsement CASA will also recognise this. In order to use your newly minted RPL you simply need a check ride and a flight review endorsed on your licence. Ariel Aviation have assisted with many of these applications and are happy to assist with the paperwork as well as provide the required flight review.
Limitations on a RPL
Like a RPC, a RPL is an Australian only licence. While the licence is not recognised internationally the training will be. If you want to fly overseas you will need to complete some training in whatever country you go to.