Ratings And Endorsements
The Royal Aero Club of Western Australia provides further training for pilots who already have their Private or Commercial Licences.
This includes training for night VFR, aerobatics, formation flying, low-level flying, instrument flying, and instructor ratings (for those with a Commercial Licence only).
Our team of highly experienced instructors can provide this specialist training from either Jandakot or Murrayfield Airport.
Night Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Rating
Give yourself more flexibility with a Night Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Rating. The purpose of the Night VFR Rating is to allow pilots to operate safely at night.
The intention of the rating is to enable pilots to continue daylight flight and arrive at a suitably equipped airport after dark. Whilst it is legal to do so, it is not recommended to be used for departure late at night to an area free of extensive ground lighting. A Command Instrument Rating is recommended for flights in or to remote areas.
Course Prerequisites
To commence training for a Night VFR Rating, a pilot must:
- Hold a current Private Pilot Licence (PPL);
- Be at a good PPL standard; and
- Be current on aircraft type and know the aircraft systems (typically the Cessna 172).
Speak to a member of our friendly Operations Team for more information.
Course Structure
The Night VFR is divided into three areas: Instrument Flying, Circuit Training and Navigation Training.
Training is completed in the Cessna 172 and consists of 15 flying hours in total for the average student. 13 of these hours are dual flying exercises and the remaining two hours are solo night circuits.
Student Intakes
Students can commence a Night VFR Rating at anytime. However, suitable weather is required for night flights to ensure adequate separation. It is recommended this be taken into account when deciding on commencing training.
Formation Flying Endorsement
Many pilots conduct a Formation Endorsement as a way to refine their flying skills. In essence, Formation Flying is precision flying. During a formation flight you will position yourself relative to the other aircraft vertically, longitudinally and laterally.
Formations can be completed in all types of aircraft: from a Cessna 152 or Tiger Moth to a Twin Engine Partenavia, the options are endless!
Course Prerequisites
To commence training for a Formation Endorsement, as a minimum the pilot must hold a Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL).
Course Structure
The initial Formation Endorsement is completed in the Cessna 152 Aerobat. The training course typically runs over 7 dual flying hours and is completed with other formation flyers (either endorsed or students).
Throughout the endorsement you will learn positions such as the Echelon, Line Astern, Line Abreast as well as changing stations and pairs take-off and landings.
You will also learn the importance of pre-flight briefings in formation flying.
Student Intakes
Students can commence a Formation Endorsement at anytime throughout the year.
Speak to a member of our friendly Operations Team for more information.
Tailwheel Undercarriage Endorsement
If you ask any Tailwheel Endorsed pilot what completing the endorsement is like, it is likely they will compare it to undertaking an advanced driving course. Not only does a Tailwheel Undercarriage Endorsement allow you to step back in time and experience an array of vintage aircraft, but it will also improve your rudder and aircraft handling skills.
Course Prerequisites
To commence training for a Tailwheel Undercarriage Endorsement, as a minimum the pilot must hold a PPL.
Course Structure
The Tailwheel Undercarriage Endorsement typically takes five dual flying hours, along with associated briefings. Flying is completed in the 8KCAB (Decathlon). Flying lessons include teaching students skills for upper air flight and the technique to complete normal, short-field and crosswind take off and landings. After mastering the techniques of aircraft handling, you may also wish to broaden your horizons by undertaking instruction for aerobatics.
Student Intakes
Students can commence a Tailwheel Undercarriage Endorsement at any time throughout the year.
Speak to a member of our friendly Operations Team for more information.
Instrument Rating, Multi-Engine Aeroplane (Diploma of Instrument Flight)
The IR-MEA (formerly known as Multi-Engine Command Instrument Rating or ME-CIR) allows pilots to fly in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) in all phases of flight, both during the day and at night in any operation permitted by the grade of pilot’s licence held.
If the weather conditions at the departure aerodrome or the destination are below the criteria for visual flight, the pilot can conduct either an instrument departure or an instrument approach by following a prescribed procedure.
It requires a lot of discipline in following procedures and safely flying and navigating the aircraft by reference to only the instrumentation available in the cockpit.
Completion of a IR-MEA is often a pre-requisite for a professional career in air charter, aerial work, or airlines.
This course is intended for students who want to further their aviation career and have more flexibility in the types of conditions they may conduct commercial operations in.
Course Prerequisites
To commence an Instrument Rating CIR, students are required to hold an Australian PPL or CPL, have 50 hours cross-country Pilot in Command, 5 hours night flying, including at least 1 hour solo night circuits. They must also hold a CASA Class 2 (PPL) or Class 1 (CPL) medical certificate and have passed the IREX (Instrument Rating Exam).
Note: There is no prerequisite to hold a CLR-MEA (Class Rating, Multi-Engine Aeroplane) as this is included in the course.
Benefits and Outcomes
- Easy access to all navigational aids in the Perth area
- Diploma in Instrument Flight at completion
- CLR-MEA and IR-MEA certification on completion
- Real-life scenarios
- Confidence in planning and conducting a safe IFR flight
- All instrument approaches included (NDB, VOR, ILS, DGS, GNSS-RNAV)
Course Structure
The course can be completed on a full-time basis across 6 weeks, or on a part time basis as agreed with an instructor. You can expect to fly a minimum of 40 hours across both the synthetic trainer and aircraft. Your training syllabus will encompass basic instrument flying, radio navigation aid tracking, instrument approaches and landing procedures, and emergency procedures.
Assessment
Students will be assessed on their competency to fly under the Instrument Flight Rules by means of a flight test by a Flight Examiner at the conclusion of the course.
Certification
Upon the successful completion of the flight test, the student will be awarded with an IR-MEA (formerly known as ME-CIR) including the following:
- AVI50415 Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Flight)
- CASA IR-MEA (Instrument Rating – Multi Engine Aeroplane)
- CLR-MEA (Class Rating – Multi Engine Aeroplane)
- Partenavia P.68B Endorsement
An IR-MEA allows pilots to act as pilot-in-command on a single or a multi-engine aircraft in cloud or marginal weather. This rating is available for students who hold either a CPL or PPL Partenavia P.68B or PA44 and the following instrument approach endorsements: 3D (ILS), 2D (VOR, NDB, DGA and GNSS-RNAV).
Student Intakes
Students may commence the IR-MEA course at any time, but as courses are conducted in pairs it is advised to give some prior notice to allow us to pair the students. Instrument Rating, Single Engine Aeroplane (IR-SEA) courses are also available on request to those candidates not interested in flying a multi-engine aeroplane.
Speak to a member of our friendly Operations Team for more information.
Multi-Engine Endorsement
Many pilots eventually wish to advance their flying skills by moving on to flying multi-engine aircraft. You may choose to do this for professional reasons to advance your flying career, but if you are a private pilot you may be interested in a multi-engine endorsement to further your enjoyment and add a higher level of safety to your flying.
Multi-engine aircraft are usually bigger and will fly further, higher, faster and provide for a more comfortable ride than most single-engine aircraft. In order to safely fly these aircraft it is important to consider that multi-engine aircraft are also more complicated to operate, especially if one engine were to fail.
Multi-engine training can be conducted in a Partenavia P68.
Course Prerequisites
As a minimum, pilots wanting to gain a Multi-Engine Endorsement must have acquired their Private Pilot Licence.
Course Structure
An initial multi-engine endorsement will cover all aspects of operating a multi-engine aeroplane, including normal and abnormal operations. It is important to understand the definitions relating to multi-engine flying, performance, engine failure and asymmetric (single-engine) handling.
Initially you will go out to the training area for some basic aircraft familiarisation, before learning to fly the aircraft on only one engine (asymmetric). Then it is back into the circuit area for some circuits, firstly with both engines working and then, when you have mastered the speed and handling of the aircraft, it is time to hone your skills when only one of the engines is operating. All flight training is carefully managed by one of our senior flight instructors.
Student Intakes
Students can commence a Multi-Engine Endorsement at any time throughout the year.
Enrolment
Enrolment can be completed online via the Western Australian Aviation College website.
Aerobatics Rating
Many different pilots decide to conduct aerobatic training; some are adrenaline junkies; some want to improve and refine their aircraft handling and some just want to add another endorsement to their log book.
The fact of the matter is regardless of who you are an aerobatics endorsement will improve your competency and handling skills—while having fun at the same time!
Aerobatics training is conducted in one of our many Cessna 152 Aerobats.
Course Prerequisites
As a minimum, pilots wanting to gain an Aerobatics Endorsement must have obtained a Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL). Aerobatics is very useful at this stage of training as a tool to build confidence and refine your handling skills.
Course Structure
The syllabus for Aerobatics training with the Royal Aero Club includes six dual hours of flying in the Cessna 152 Aerobat. This includes learning: loops, barrel rolls, stall turns, aileron rolls and spins. In this time you will also conduct a lesson on unusual attitude recoveries and a check flight.
Typically students will follow these six hours with two hours of solo consolidation to refine their skills further.
Student Intakes
Students can commence Aerobatics training at anytime. However, you need to be mindful of the requirement to maintain VMC at 3000 feet.
Speak to a member of our friendly Operations Team for more information.
Low-Level Flying Endorsement
Obtaining a low-level endorsement is a regulatory requirement before a pilot can operate below 500 feet above ground level. This endorsement will be necessary for many types of flying, including agricultural flying, aerial survey, and mustering.
A low-level endorsement can be completed in five hours of flight training. This training includes visual judgement skills, flying in mountainous terrain, general handling and terrain-following.
Course Prerequisites
To commence training for a Low-Level Endorsement, as a minimum the pilot must hold a Commercial Pilot Licence.
Course Structure
The initial Low-Level Endorsement is completed in the Cessna 152 Aerobat. The training course typically runs over five dual flying hours, followed by a flight test.
Student Intakes
Students can commence a Low-Level Endorsement at any time throughout the year.
Speak to a member of our friendly Operations Team for more information.
Flight Instructor Rating
Grade III Flight Instructor Rating
A Flight Instructor Rating is a challenging, yet fun course that takes your flying skills to the next level. Under the guidance of industry veteran John Douglas (Chief Flying Instructor, Instructor Training) and senior instructor Glenda Dyke, you will learn the skills to become a professional instructor from day one. In some ways, a Flight Instructor Rating is like learning to fly all over again; empowering you with the skills and knowledge you need to impart the joy and discipline of flying onto others.
Intended For
Students who want to further their aviation careers and become a Flight Instructor for Private and Commercial Pilots.
Benefits and Outcomes
- Real-life scenarios
- Confidence in providing flight instruction
- Easy access to the training area
- Development of strong teaching and assessment skills
Qualification Structure
The course is completed on a full-time basis across 6 weeks. The structure of the course covers four primary components: Principles and Methods of Instruction (PMI), Classroom Briefings, Instructor Flight Training and Instructor Flight Practice.
Ab-initio flight training is conducted in a Cessna 152, and navigation flight training is conducted in a Cessna 172.
Assessments
Students will be assessed on their competency to deliver a flight briefing and carry out flight instruction in the air during a flight test at the conclusion of the course.
Certification
Upon the successful completion of the validation flight, the student will be awarded with a CASA Grade III Instructor Rating.
Prerequisites
Applicants are required to hold a CASA Commercial Pilot Licence and a current CASA Class One Medical Certificate. Adequate performance in both spoken and written English (for non-residents of Australia IELTS Level 6) is essential, along with adequate performance in maths.
Course Details
Applications can be made directly to the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia by downloading the Enrolment Form.
There are six intakes each year for the Grade III Flight Instructor Rating Course (January, March, May, July, September, November). A minimum of two students are required to run a course.
Please note: GST will be added to a course cost if the student is not on an accredited GST-free course.
For more information, call our friendly operations team at Jandakot Airport, Perth, on (08) 9417 0000, and speak to one of our knowledgeable flight instructors.
