Prerequisites and "Red-Tape"
At some point during your course you will need to take a physical and aptitude test which is given at the Aviation Medicine Annex at Bhumipol Hospital(The Thai Air Force hospital). This is nothing to worry about as long as you are in reasonably good health. If you have any concerns about the test please contact Extreme Sports Cafe and we can give you more information on PPL in Thailand.

Part of your fees cover paperwork, setup, and administration charges and club membership to our Flying School. This not only covers your student pilot license application, medical fees etc. but also gives you one full years membership to the school. This in turn gives you access to reduced price plane rental (among other benefits) for an entire year.

The Club Bar

The Student Pilot Licence is required for a student pilot to fly solo. This may not always be ready for the beginning of your course... However, a prospective student pilot may begin flying with the school under instructor supervision immediately.

A prospective student may 'solo' with the consent of their instructor (usually after 12-20 hours, depending on progress) AND once the student pilot has received a valid Thai Department of Aviation (DOA) Student Pilots License.

Are there likely to be any language issues training in Thailand?

You don't have to worry about any English Language issues as the ground school is taught in both Thai and English, which ever you prefer. Their are four instructors not including the ground school instructors, all of whom speak fluent English. Radio communication in Thailand is also in English. (English is normally the Universal Language for Pilots throughout the world.)

• Are there government/bureaucratic issues to getting a license in Thailand?
• Once issued can this license be used to fly elsewhere (USA, UK)?
• Is the instruction sufficient to easily get a license in US or UK?
• Are the flying hours and instruction hours recognized outside of Thailand?
  
  The regulations follow the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) which is used as a world-wide standard and is also used in the UK. Note: The only bureaucratic issue or requirement is that you have to take a test to get a medical certificate which requires an aptitude test as well as a thorough physical. There are two places in Bangkok where this can be done. Your instructors will assist you in getting this done. We have even had one student of 16 years old who has passed both without any problems.
  
  The Thai license is recognized in other countries and you should not have any problems internationally as it is administered under ICAO regulations and guidelines. The Thai license does not require you to make any night flights or have any night flight training. So if you would like to get an FAA license in the USA you need to fly a couple more hours and have some night flight training. There is pilot at the club that has already done this and has obtained his FAA license as well.

Is the course material (including ground course) similar to US / UK standards?

The flight manual which is used for Thai ground instruction is the Jeppesen Manual which is also used by the FAA in America. Other books are also used in conjunction with this book ,because it is geared towards America, to augment your international training.

Would you feel comfortable flying in the US after taking this course?
Do you learn how to deal with air traffic control?

Absolutely, yes you do learn air traffic control locally alongside the American and international systems for this as the manual is based on the FAA American Standard. You can most certainly feel confident and comfortable flying in the United States or elsewhere, with the instruction that Thailand has to offer.

Any safety issues? Are the aircraft well maintained?
A certified FAA IA inspector visits the club frequently. All of the aircraft are safe and well maintained. The club's aircraft are all maintained under Thai Department of Aviation Regulations which follow FAA regulations to the letter.

Is there anything that you think we should consider before selecting Thailand as a place to do our license?

You may want to consider planning your flight training around the rainy season in Thailand. Although even during the rainy season it does not rain everyday you might want to plan your training during the dry season. If you learn some of the Thai customs and ways it can make all the difference. The Thai people are very friendly and if you are respectful of their culture, they will go out of their way to help you!

Are there any areas that we should prepare on our own?

Yes, If you can get a Jeppesen Flight manual, and or video's it can help you better understand and move along quicker in your ground school instruction. Also if you have access to a computer the Pro Pilot Flight Simulator Software offers excellent video instruction on every aspect of flying. It also offers audio instruction which can help make you feel more comfortable on the radio.

We recommend that you get hold of some of the materials below, either through us, or direct from Jeppesen well before your course. That way you can thoroughly familiarise yourself with the course.

Extreme Sports Cafe can recommend which items you need (depending on budget) and also some less expensive, but equally competent, flight simulation software for any computer platform. Simulations are increasingly an accepted (and indeed encouraged) method of preparing yourself for flying a light aircraft.