RPL
Recreational Pilot Licence
First licence, local flying
~35–50 hrs total
Your first step into aviation
Learn to Fly in Sydney
Cost, timeline and steps to get your pilot licence. Start with a trial flight from $385 at Bankstown.
1
Book a trial flight
Experience flying with an instructor. From $385 at Bankstown. No commitment.
2
Get a medical
Choose the right CASA medical pathway: Class 1, Class 2, Basic Class 2, Class 5 or RAMPC depending on your licence and operation.
3
Choose your path
RPL (first licence), PPL (fly anywhere in Australia), or CPL (career).
4
Train with us
CASA Part 141 school at Bankstown. We guide you through to licence.
Course style overview
A clear path, paced around you
Start with a simple trial flight, then choose the licence pathway that matches your goal. We keep the training sequence clear so you always know the next step.
Best first step
Trial Flight
No commitment, instructor beside you
Where you train
Bankstown
Sydney-based CASA Part 141 school
How it works
Self-paced
Fly more often to progress faster
First milestone
First Solo
Usually around 15–25 hours
Trial Flight Intro
Sit in the cockpit. Take the controls.
Trial Flight Intro
Not sure if flying is for you? Book a trial flight — no commitment. You'll take the controls with an instructor from Bankstown in a Cessna 172 or PA28 Warrior. From $385. Perfect first step before RPL or PPL.
From $385
Trial flight
No commitment
First experience
Bankstown
Sydney base
Quick answer
How long, how much, how official?
Featured first licence
Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL)
The clear next step after first solo: structured local flying, instructor-led milestones and a practical pathway toward PPL.
Start anytime · Start35-50 hrs · Course loadBankstown · LocationSelf-paced · Training styleFirst licence · Outcome
Is RPL right for me?
- You want your first pilot licence, not just a trial flight
- You want to fly locally from Bankstown and build confidence
- You may want to take family or friends after meeting passenger requirements
- You want a practical stepping stone before Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
What you can build toward
- Fly solo within your authorised training area
- Build pilot-in-command confidence before longer trips
- Add endorsements and continue toward PPL when ready
Licence roadmap
Choose your flying path
For full program details (First Solo, RPL, PPL, CPL, Instrument Rating) see Flight Training.
PPL
Private Pilot Licence
Australia-wide private flying
~65–90 hrs total
CPL
Commercial Pilot Licence
Turn your hobby into career
200 hrs total
Before solo
Requirements & medical
These are the practical boxes to tick before your first solo and licence pathway. Different medical pathways can carry different operating limitations.
- Medical: Class 1, Class 2, Basic Class 2, Class 5 or RAMPC pathway as appropriate
- Age: 15+ for solo, 17+ for PPL, 18+ for CPL
- English: GELP for first solo; AELP / ICAO Level 4+ for licensing and radio use
- No prior flying experience required
Cost guide
Trial flight
From $385
C172 or Warrior; dual from $465/hr
First Solo
~15–25 hrs
Typically 1 month full time
RPL
~35–50 hrs total
First licence, local flying
PPL
~65–90 hrs total
Australia-wide private flying
CPL
200 hrs total
Commercial licence
What happens next
From first booking to first licence
We keep the pathway simple: try flying, choose the right medical pathway, choose your licence path, then train with an instructor at Bankstown.
Book a trial flight
Get a medical
Choose your path
Train with us
For full program details (First Solo, RPL, PPL, CPL, Instrument Rating) see Flight Training.
Common questions
Ready to start? Book a trial flight or ask us anything.