For many people, their PPL is simply a first step on their way to a flying career with an airline. Ravenair offers training in the format of a modular course leading to all the qualifications you need to apply for an airline position. If you already hold a current PPL and decide to take this route, you must have at least 150 hours total time in your log book, of which 100 hours must be as Pilot-In-Command.

IMC RATING - Before starting the CPL course, and in addition to the 150 hours total and 100 PIC requirements, most PPL students also take the IMC Rating to give them additional experience of instrument flying. This Rating covers new techniques in instrument flying not taught on the PPL syllabus, and ultimately allows pilots to use their instruments to make an approach in weather that has deteriorated below their VFR Minima. Training for the IMC Rating also enhances confidence in basic handling and situational awareness.

NIGHT RATING - As with the IMC Rating most PPL holders also choose to have a Night Qualification. As well as brushing up some instrument flying skills, the Night Rating has an obvious practical advantage in that on day trips away you do not have to return to your home airfield before dark! This often makes winter flying much more manageable.

Please note that the courses listed below are provided by Ravenair at Liverpool John Lennon Airport; the Flying Instructor Course is also available at City Airport Manchester (Barton Aerodrome).

MULTI-ENGINE PISTON (MEP) - Even those who do not wish to pursue a professional flying career often want to be able to fly a higher performance aircraft than that used for PPL training. With a MEP Rating you can fly one of Ravenair's larger and more powerful aircraft like the Piper Aztec or Seneca. They allow flight in icing conditions and have a capacity for five passengers. Learning how to control the aircraft under asymmetric power forms the major part of the MEP Rating.

COMMERCIAL PILOT'S LICENCE - This is the basic licence required before you can receive any remuneration for your flying. At Ravenair we normally undertake the training for this licence in the twin-engine Piper PA27 Aztec (although it can be taken in a single). If a twin is used for the CPL, then the skills test can also be used to pass a Multi-Engine Piston Rating* - thus saving time and money sitting a separate test. The CPL Course is 25 hours*. (*28 hours if you choose to do both together).

INSTRUMENT RATING - Probably the most demanding flying test you will ever sit, the JAA Instrument Rating is respected all over the World. At Ravenair we training on single- and twin-engined aircraft and flight simulators. Gaining this major rating will allow you to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) - an obvious necessity when flying high on commercial routes.

FLYING INSTRUCTOR COURSE (FI(R)) - The Flying Instructor Course is one of Ravenair's longest running approved courses. It consists of 125 hours ground school and 30 hours dual flying in a PA38 Tomahawk, where candidates learn how to teach the demanding PPL syllabus. Five of the 30 hours can be flown as 'mutual' time, whereby two candidates practice their instructor patter by teaching each other specific air exercises. The course is completed by successfully passing a flight test with an examiner.