Whenever you are searching for information on learning to fly, you will find the standard items about theory and flight training, but nowhere to be seen is any of that other equally useful information that every person who wants to learn to fly, should know!   The following sections should prove useful in your quest to being fully prepared to tackle this new and exciting venture.

Will I get airsick? 

Not necessarily!  It is however very common to feel some mild discomfort when you first get up in a light aircraft.  Don't be too concerned though, as the average person gets over this after about five hours of flying.  If you ARE worried about feeling airsick, then we suggest that you only eat something light before flying.  Chewing gum or sucking on a lolly whilst in the aircraft can be of assistance too.

Will I need to buy anything?

Your Pilot Kit

As with any activity you choose to pursue, there are certain items that come in handy when you are learning to fly.  Not all of these are mandatory to own, but you will find that once you do, your flying life will be much more comfortable!

1. Pilot's Log Book

2. Rotating Azimuth Plotter (it's a bit like a ruler with a protractor)

3. Flight "Computer" (required for PPL studies)

4. Headset

5. Clipboard

6. Pen, pencil and eraser

7. Paper notebook

8. Flight bag

9. Maps - VTC, VNC, WAC, ERC Low.  You can either buy them individually, or get a  subscription  from Airservices Australia.

10. Timer (a kitchen timer is handy as its ability to set different times and stopwatch is very useful)

11. Theory books!  If you are attending Ground School, you will be advised the prescribed text.  If doing self study, we recommend the Trevor Thom or Bob Tait books.

12. Torch (required for Night VFR)

13. Torch which attaches to headset (not mandatory, but MUCH more practical than a normal torch for Night VFR operations)

Your flight instructor will be more than happy to discuss which items on this list you must own.

I've heard that I'll need to learn the Phonetic Alphabet.  What is it?

Pilots use the Phonetic Alphabet when relaying call signs etc.  This is one of those things you will have to learn!  We've included it below to help.

Do I need to learn Radio Calls?  Is it hard?

When you first start learning how to fly, your instructor will help you with your radio calls.  You will however eventually need to master them.  As with so many things, this is not as hard as it seems and practising will certainly help!  You may want to jot down the calls on a piece of paper to help you, just in case you get too nervous!  Actually, you will probably find it's not so much remembering the relevant call that's a problem, as opposed to the fear of pressing in the mike button and talking to the Tower!  This fear will also pass fairly quickly.

Your instructor will teach you what radio calls you need to know, but here is an example of those used at Moorabbin Airport.  Please note that this is for guidance purposes only and you should check with your flight instructor or the relevant Aeronautical Information Publications ? - AIPs.

At Runway (before take-off):

Moorabbin Tower <Aircraft Call sign>  is ready for <First Reporting Point> Runway <Number>

For Example:

Moorabbin Tower Tango Alpha Xray is ready for the Training Area Runway One Seven Left

Do I need to remember lots of frequencies?  What are the Moorabbin Frequencies?

Yet again, this is not something that you should worry about, as your instructor will be there to help you, until you remember them yourself.  Actually, when you listen to ATIS, you will be advised the frequencies that you need to dial up. 

Moorabbin Frequencies

Once you start doing your navigational exercises and you finally get to leave the training area, you will have to use other frequencies.  All frequencies are contained in ERSA - which by law you must always carry with you when you fly, hence every frequency you could possibly need will always be readily available to you!

What runways does Moorabbin Airport have?

There are 5 main operational runways, four in two sets of parallel configurations, which can accommodate aircraft up to 40 seat regional airline category.

Note:  The Tower only uses frequency 123.0 when it chooses to split operations.  If operations are NOT split, 118.1 is the operational frequency.  Obviously, you must listen to ATIS before selecting your runway - and frequency!

For more information about Moorabbin Airport, click here.

What can I do with a Private Pilot's Licence?

The sky's the limit!  Provided of course, you make sure that you are only flying during the day and in fair weather conditions, that is under "Visual Flight Rules". 

You can take passengers and some luggage with you (always keeping in mind that you will need to do your weight and balance calculations first) and take off to any part of the country that has a landing strip!  Fly somewhere for lunch.  Go away for a weekend.  If you are an Air Show buff, avoid spending 3 hours in the car and fly yourself to Avalon in around 15-20 minutes.  Take in a lap of the Melbourne CBD and see the sights as you've never experienced them before.... 

To get a taste of what you can do and see, visit our About Melbourne section.

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