Pilot Q & A

This FAQ is for reference only. Please call our Flight Operations Department 2711-5555 during office hour or email to Flight Operations for the latest information.

Q. How much does it cost and how long does it take?

A. Learning to fly is not as expensive as many people may have thought. Fixed Wing flying takes place from Shek Kong Air Base. PLA allows us to fly only on Saturdays and Sundays. Thus duration of training and obtaining a Private Pilot License (PPL) on a Fixed Wing aircraft in Hong Kong may take on average 10-12 months. In our experience, it is a good idea to take at least four lessons per month because your retention of newly learned material will be high. With continuity in flying training it is possible to complete PPL syllabus and obtain the License within 7-9 months period. Helicopter training takes place from Kai Tak and Shek Kong. At Kai Tak you can book a helicopter lesson daily. Hence you can complete PPL Syllabus and obtain the License within 6-7 months.

Q. What are the requirements to obtain a Hong Kong PPL?

A. Generally speaking, you are required to complete minimum 40 hours of flying experience to cover HK CAD syllabus. But a student may take up to 50-60 hours of flying to achieve required standard of flying depending student's progress in flying training. Then you have to pass a General flying Test (GFT). The GFT is flown with a HK CAD Authorized Examiner who shall assess your flying skill and standard. Besides the "flying" part, an applicant for a PPL is also required to pass the following HK CAD ground examinations, as appropriate:-

(a) Navigation

(b) Meteorology

(d) Aircraft (Type)

(e) Human Performance & Limitations

(f) Radio Telephony

(g) Aviation Law, Flight Rules and Procedures (Aeroplane)

Q. Do I need to be physically very fit?

A. Medical requirement for a private pilot are not as strict as some people may believe, a pilot needs to be healthy and reasonably fit. Neither is the wearing of eye glasses restrictive but ideally you should not suffer form color blindness. You will be required to pass a medical with a HK CAD Authorized Medical Doctor as part of your license requirements, which is renewed every five (5) year, if you are below 40 years old. Above 40 years old medical exam is every two (2) years. Above 50 years old medical examination is every one (1) year.

Q. Are there any age limits to learn to fly?

A. You must be at least 14 years old to join the club and start your Flight Training. To fly solo during training, you have to be at least 16 years old and must have Medical Certificate issue by a HK CAD Authorized Medical Doctor. The minimum age to get HK PPL is 17. There is no upper limit for age as long as you have Class 1 or Class 2 Medical Certificate.

Q. What else do I need to become a pilot?

A. Willingness to learn and you need to be proficient in the aviation language-English and that is about it. The club is supported by a number of very experienced local and expat flying instructors, some of them are flying with commercial airlines. All flying instructors are always will be on hand to assist students during their training.

Q. I have earned my flying license in the oversea already and I am interested to fly in Hong Kong, how to convert my foreign license to a HK license?

A. A Hong Kong PPL(A) may be issued on the basis of foreign pilot license. The applicant will be required to:

(a) Pass the Air Law, Flight Rules and Procedures examinations (aeroplane);

(b) Pass an aircraft type examination on the same aircraft in which the flight test taken;

(d) Pass a PPL General Flying Test (GFT) conducted by HK CAD Examiner; and

(e) Hold a valid HK CAD Class 1 or 2 medical certificates.

Please note that all required exam must be passed within three attempts and a period of 9 months commencing from the end of the calendar month in which the first examination was taken.

Q. If I don't want to convert my foreign license to the Hong Kong license, can I exercise the privilege of my oversea license in the club's aircraft?

A. Effective from 01January 2009, Foreign PPL Holder will not be able to fly Hong Kong registered aircraft in Hong Kong, unless holding a Certificate of Validation (C of V) issued by the HK CAD. To be able to apply for this C of V, you are required to:

(a) Undergo a flight test with a HKAC CAD Authorized Examiner, which is similar to the GFT;

(b) Complete a ground exam, which will be conducted by the Authorized Examiner;

This C of V will be valid for 12 months and is renewable. Details please refer to the HKAC Foreign License Holders Update.

You are also required to obtain the Attestation of ICAO-Language Proficiency if you want to fly within HK Airspace. You may apply from your PPL issued country or refer to RMIT English Language Testing for Aviation

Q. If my foreign PPL license has already expired, how can I reactive my license in HK?

A. Please note HK CAD is not authorized to renew Foreign License. It is recommended that you renew your license in your country.

Q. What is the difference between Cessna 152, 172, 172R & 182 and which aircraft type is better for training?

A. C-152 is two seater aircraft. C-172, C-172R and C-182 are 4 seater aircrafts. We recommend flying training either on C-152 or C-172 aircraft.

Q. If I have a Cessna 152 license, can I fly in Cessna 172, 172R or 182? If not, how can I do the type upgrading and how long does it take?

A. For HKAC members with C-152 license, we can carry out a conversion program on type upgrading and it will take approx. 5 hours. If you have C-182 license, you can fly C-172 & C-152 but except C-172R with Fuel Injection System, it required another type conversion.

Reference books-

a. The Air Pilots Manuals book 1 to 4.

b. Human Factors for Pilots-Green Muir James, Gradwell & Green.

Hong Kong Aviation Club

01 Aug 2010