Endorsements & Ratings

After you have completed your Private Pilot Licence you might like to expand your experience level a little more and move onto some more sophisticated aircraft. Perhaps you would simply just like to have some great fun doing aerobatics, or maybe try your hand at formation flying. At RQAC we can assist with whatever interests you.

Endorsements at Royal Queensland Aero Club

Constant Speed Unit (CSU)

Basic training aircraft used for the PPL level of training are normally fitted with a fixed pitch propeller. In other words the angle of the blade of the propeller is set at manufacture and is not able to be changed in flight. More sophisticated aircraft are fitted with variable pitch propellers. This enables the pilot to change the angle of the propeller blades relative to the airflow. This allows the aircraft to operate in a more efficient manner, and therefore fly faster and use less fuel.

Retractable Undercarriage (RET)

The more advanced aircraft are also fitted with undercarriages that can be retracted into the aircraft fuselage in flight. This allows for far less drag on the aircraft in flight, once again allowing for higher speeds and less fuel consumption.

Pilots will usually complete both a CSU and RET endorsement at the one time on the Cessna 172RG Cutlass; this endorsement will typically entail around 3 hours of flying.

Tailwheel

Most modern aircraft are fitted with a tricycle undercarriage - that is they have two main wheels and a nose wheel. Older vintage aircraft and aerobatic aircraft are often fitted with tail wheels. That is they have 2 main wheels and the third wheel is located under the tail of the aircraft instead of at the nose of the aircraft. This type of undercarriage arrangement requires a separate endorsement, as the handling characteristics of the aircraft on taxying and landing are significantly different.

For pilots who undertake aerobatic training, the tailwheel endorsement will be covered as part of the aerobatic training.

Aerobatic Training

If you are looking for a more unusual outlook on the world, or for those who would simply like to take their aircraft-handling skills to a new level, we offer aerobatic training in the Decathlon.

Some pilots develop a real passion for aerobatics, and for those souls the prospect of flying straight and level is just plain boring! For them true exhilaration comes from turning and twisting their aircraft across the sky in ever more unusual attitudes. For these pilots, we are able to offer advanced aerobatic training. This can simply be for great personal enjoyment and satisfaction. If the prospect of a little competition takes your fancy then perhaps you would be interested in matching your aerobatic skills against other pilots at competition level.

You are able to choose the types of manoeuvres that you are interested in trying including loops, barrel rolls, aileron rolls, spins to name but a few. The hours taken to complete the training will vary according to the number of maneuvers that you wish to master, and the level you wish to achieve.

Formation Flying

RQAC is well known for its formation flying teams. Many of our recreation pilots are part of this fun activity. We have had formation teams from 2 aircraft to an impressive flight of 10 aircraft, which was formed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight. For pilots interested in joining the team or simply wishing to learn the art of formation flying, instruction can be provided at any time.

Multi-engine Endorsements

If you can picture yourself lining up on the runway for take-off moving a whole handful of throttles forward, then a multi-engine endorsement is for you!

Your initial multi-engine endorsement will cover all aspects of operating an aircraft with more than one engine, in both normal and non-normal operations.

Initially you will go out to the training area for some basic aircraft familiarisation, before moving along to practice flying the aircraft on only one engine. Then it is back into the circuit area for some circuits - firstly with both engines working and then, when you have mastered the speed of the aircraft, it is time to hone your asymmetric skills. That is simply how to handle the aircraft when only one of the engines is operating.

Our two Beechcraft Duchess aircraft are ideal initial twin endorsement trainers.

An initial twin endorsement will normally take a minimum of 5 hours of flight training.

Further twin endorsements can be obtained on the Partenavia.

Ratings at Royal Queensland Aero Club

Night Visual Flight Rules (NVFR)

Put simply, a night VFR rating allows pilots more flexibility with their departure and arrival times. Under the normal VFR rules you are not able to fly during the hours of darkness unless you hold either a Night VFR or Command Instrument Rating (CIR).

Holders of a NVFR Rating who are having a leisurely day away with friends or family, don’t need to keep an eye on the clock to ensure that they can be back at home base by dark. Perhaps, you would like to be able to show your passengers the spectacular city lights at night on the way home, a fitting end to a great day away.

The training program involves night circuits and night cross-country navigation, including the use of the radio navigation aids and instrument flying both in the simulator and in the aircraft.

Most Commercial pilots will complete a NVFR as part of the Commercial Pilot Licence training.

The NVFR rating allows you to fly anywhere in Australia at night. However you must be able to navigate at all times by reference to the ground and water below. It does not entitle you to fly in cloud. If you would like the flexibility to fly in more limited weather conditions, then you could consider either a Private IFR Rating or Command Instrument Rating.

Private IFR Rating (PIFR)

The PIFR is an instrument rating for the exclusive use of Private Pilots. This rating is designed to allow you to fly in conditions that would not be acceptable for VFR flight along the proposed flight path. This could be due to cloud, rain, or poor visibility. However, both your departure and arrival must still comply with the visual flight rules.

If you wish to be able to land or take-off in instrument conditions, then you are able to do some additional training on instrument approaches, and your rating can be extended to include the ability to conduct instrument departures and arrivals as well. These extensions are known as Flight Procedure Authorisations (FPAs).

If you hold a PIFR, you are able to operate in both daylight and darkness as long as you have accrued at least 5 hours in command at night.

Training for the PIFR will include instrument flight time both in the aircraft and simulator, and a pass in a written examination. At the conclusion of the training a flight test will be conducted.

The PIFR does not have to be renewed after the initial issue flight test.

Command Instrument Rating (CIR)

The CIR is considered to be the ultimate in professional qualifications that can be obtained by any pilot either Private or Commercial. It is the same qualification that is held by all Airline Pilots.

The CIR allows pilots to fly in full Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) at all phases of the flight, both during the day and at night. If the weather conditions at the departure aerodrome or the destination are below the criteria for visual flight, the pilot is able to conduct either an instrument departure or an instrument approach by following a prescribed procedure.

The training for the CIR is rigorous and involved. You can expect to fly a minimum of 40 hours. Your training syllabus will encompass basic instrument flying, radio navigation aid tracking, instrument approaches and landing procedures, and emergency procedures.

Your training will include a significant amount of simulator training where you will be able to practice all the normal and non-normal procedures, which you could expect to encounter in the aircraft.

The CIR can be completed in either a single engine aircraft or a multi-engine aircraft. For Commercial Pilots it is normal to complete the rating on a multi-engine aircraft, as charter customers cannot be carried in IMC conditions in a single engine aircraft.

Candidates for the CIR must complete the Instrument Rating Examination (IREX). Theory Training

At the conclusion of your training you will need to undertake a flight test to demonstrate your proficiency in operating under IMC conditions.

Your CIR must be renewed annually; this entails a short flight test with an Approved Test Officer.

Flight Instructor Rating (FIR)

If your personal flying skills are of the highest standard, and you have the passion and enthusiasm to nurture another person’s love of flying, and to assist them to reach their personal goals in flying, then the Flight Instructor Rating is for you.

The Flight Instructor Rating training will ensure that you take your own flying skills to an even higher level. A very high level of professionalism and polish is demanded of Flight Instructors.

Training for a Flight Instructor is rigorous and involves both ground and flight training. The ground training is in two sections. Firstly a theory course on the Principles and Methods of Instructing. Secondly, a comprehensive series of briefings encompassing both Mass Briefings and Preflight Briefings which cover all the flight sequences.

The flight training includes both Dual flights with Senior Grade One Instructors and some mutual practice flying with another Instructor Rating trainee.