Private Pilot License
PPL (A)
Orbit Groundschool
Private Pilot - PPL (A)
It has always been your dream to become an airline pilot? Orbit Groundschool can help you make that dream a reality with the Private Pilot Licence (PPL). This is the first essential step towards obtaining your commercial pilot licence and completing your aviation training. Our English-language theory course and practical EASA PPL training are suitable for anyone wishing to start flying. As a student, you will receive comprehensive support and guidance throughout your training. You will be taught by experienced instructors who will prepare you thoroughly for your practical and theoretical examinations. During the lessons, you will study the theory in preparation for the examinations and you will be supported by personal guidance, either in class or remotely through Orbit Groundschool. Choose your own learning route at Orbit PPL(A).
Minimum requirements or preferences
Private Pilot - PPL (A)
At the start of the theory course:
Preferably in possession of an EASA medical certificate
Preferably at least 17 years old
Sufficient command of the English language
Training Structure and Course Layout
The PPL theory training is divided into several subjects that are covered in a curriculum lasting approximately six months. This course, often regarded as a Brush-up course, is mandatory as required by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). Upon completion of the full training programme, students will take the examinations, which are conducted monthly at our own in-house examination centre.
None of the Brush-up courses take place in Arnhem; participants follow the sessions from home via live webinars, which require a computer with a webcam and headset.
To keep the theoretical training clear and well-structured, and to ensure the various subjects align properly, the course material — consisting of nine theoretical subjects — is organised into separate modules.
Ideally, you complete all three modules before participating in the five consecutive exam training evenings, also referred to as Brush-up courses. The dates are identical to those of the Brush-up courses for other training programmes. Please note that the training starts each evening at 18:30. Dates and additional information can be found here.
Exam training programme:
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Monday: Human Performance & Communications
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Tuesday Principles of Flight & Air Law
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Wednesday Aircraft General Knowledge & Operational Procedures
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Thursday Navigation & Flight Planning
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Friday Meteorology
It is permitted to spread the course over a longer period and make use of two or three interval moments. Please note, however, that nine examinations must be completed on the same day..
The examination dates are published on our Examinations page.
Vakken
010 - Air Law
021 - Airframe/Systems/Powerplant
033 - Flight planning
040 - Human Performance
050 - Meteorology
060 Navigation
071 - Operational Procedures
081, 082 - Principles of flight
090 Communications
Watch video
of our digital study material
Self-study
A major advantage of our Distance Learning PPL(A) training is that you can organise your own study pace and schedule. The home-study programme is systematically structured into weekly and daily tasks.
An average student completes the PPL(A) theoretical training within a period ranging from several weeks to approximately three to six months. The duration depends on your personal time investment.
During self-study, you are guided through all subjects and topics via a simple module-based study programme. Mandatory progress tests are used to monitor your study progress. These progress tests are administered at set intervals and can be completed on a computer. Once completed, you can submit the test online to Orbit Groundschool for review with a single click.
Study material
- ATPdigital CBT software — available for Mac, iPad and PC (downloadable)
- Activation code for 2 installations per licence on PC or Mac
- Jeppesen General Student Pilot Route Manual
- Brush-up courses
- Bundled Civil Aviation Publications 696, 697 and 698 or CAP 758 for helicopters
- 24/7 email support from subject instructors
- 12 months of access to BGSonline including examination question database
- 12 months of technical software support
Reference material
Additional books may optionally be ordered as reference or supplementary material. These books are not required to successfully complete the full training programme.
Not including:
- Pooleys CRP-5 navigation flight computer and pen
- EASA-approved calculator (such as the Casio FX-82MS)
- Navigation protractor
- Costs of theoretical examinations when taken in-house at our Arnhem location (Austro) More information
- Accommodation costs during your stay in Arnhem (see information page ‘accommodation’)
Software and hardware requirements
Software Requirements (Windows/Mac)
- Windows 10 (Windows)
- MacOS 10.14 of later (Mac)
Hardware Requirements (Windows/Mac)
- 3GHz Dual Core (64-bit) processor or faster
- 4 GB RAM
- Up to 15 GB of available hard drive space (depending on the size of the course)
- A reliable internet connection if you wish to download the lessons online (average course size is approximately 13 GB)
Software and Hardware Requirements (iPad)
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- iOS 12.0 or later
- 4 GB RAM
- Up to 15 GB of available hard drive space (depending on the size of the course)
- A reliable internet connection if you wish to download the lessons online (average course size is approximately 13 GB)
Course fees
€ 995,-