Ground School

Learning to fly is really rather exciting but ground school can be fun too. There is a lot information on line about the associated ground subjects you need to study to become a pilot. One example is the U.K. CAA guide to air law called the Skyway Code, see here: http://www.caa.co.uk/CAP1535S But, sometimes study alone can be a bit tedius and uninspiring and that’s where one to one time with an instructor can help learning with clear explanations and instant answers to your questions. Due to the Coroavirus lockdown we are looking at taking some of our groundschool courses online and have started with a detailed Radio Telephony course. If it goes well this could be the first of many ground school courses or other on line training assistance.  

Radio Telephony

The course is delivered online one to one with an experienced instructor in blocks of two hour sessions costing £70 per session. You can book whichever one suits you. If you are new to using the radio, we recommend the first session which covers the basics. Student pilots already familiar with using a radio and transponder and the phoenetic alphabet, together with licensed poiulots wishing to refresh their knowledge, would best start with session 2.

To get started, purchase a session voucher below. You can choose whichever session you would like with the instructor later.

Session 1 (2 Hours)

  • What is a radio and how do pilots use them?

  • What are the functions of the radio?

  • Whats is a transponder, what does it do and how do pilots use them?

  • Transponder Modes: Alpha, Charlie and Sierra plus emergency squawk codes.

  • Phonetic alphabet, and Numbers.

  • Standard words and phrases to be used by pilots and ATC as per CAP413.

  • Callsigns, when and how to abbreviate?

  • Ground stations callsigns, and the difference between each.

Session 2 (2 Hours)

  • Booking out.

  • Radio Check.

  • Airfield information and taxi.

  • On route services.

  • On route call "pass your message"

  • MATZ Penetrations.

  • Control Zone Transits.

  • VDF equipment, what does it mean? How do pilots use them?

  • Airfield recovery, including the use of ATIS if available.

  • Distress and Urgency calls.

  • Distress and Diversion "London Centre" who are they what do they offer?

Session 3 (2 Hours)

A simulated flight along a pre-panned route (mock test style) Will involve departing an aerodrome, and flying cross country to another aerodrome with a different type of air traffic service unit. During the flight the pilot will need to negotiate any controlled airspace transits or MATZ penetrations as well as any emergency that may develop on route, pilots may also need to consider what type of service is required outside of controlled airspace.

In total the course is designed to be 6 hours long from start to finish and covers everything required to pass the Flight Radio Telephony Operators licence.