RIYADH: The phrase “private aviation” conjures up images of billionaires in the Lear jet between Monte Carlo and the Bahamas – but entry into this world is surprisingly affordable and accessible, especially in Saudi Arabia.
The proliferation of private aviation academies in the Kingdom has opened the way for ordinary men and women to obtain a Private Pilot’s License (PPL) in just a few months – allowing you to fly with few passengers for sports and leisure, but Not for commercial gain.
Captain Abubakar Mohamed, Chief Ground Instructor at Rabig Wings Aviation Academy, just north of Jeddah, explained the process.
“You must be at least 17 years old, preferably with a high school diploma, and the first requirement is an English placement test, which requires you to attain at least four levels out of six.
“You need a criminal record check with medical tests and drug tests conducted at certain designated clinics authorized by GACA.
“Once all is well, you’re registered on the private pilot course, which consists of 60 hours of ground training—that’s the theoretical aspect.”
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The entire process of obtaining a private pilot license takes three to four months with a total cost of approximately SR60,000 ($16,000) including examination fees.
Then you are ready to take to the skies. There is at least 35 hours of flight training, first with an instructor and then solo. Trainees learn how to land on short, grassy runways and fly at night. Other exercises include stopping and restarting your aircraft in mid-air.
Mohammed said, “The idea is to prepare you up to GACA standards, as they are the ones who give you the final oral, written and practical exams and issue your license.
It’s not just about getting a license – it’s travel, and that’s what you should enjoy. We have an expression in Arabic: ‘Fly with joy.’ And we are really flying with joy!’
Captain Islam Saeed Gwaid, Security and Training Manager at Saudi Aviation Club in Thammah
The GACA written test is a computer-based multiple choice quiz followed by a final GACA assessment of your practical ability.
The entire process takes three to four months with a total cost of approximately SR60,000 ($16,000) including examination fees.
You can choose to study the required information yourself with online materials, and go straight to the GACA written test. It’s the cheaper option, but misses out on the immersive experience of a real classroom with a professional tutor – and with your fellow trainees.
Some academies also offer training for a sport plane license, which allows you to fly a small sport plane with a maximum payload of 600 kilograms, including pilot and passenger. This requires only 20 hours of observation and solo flight time – but again lacks the in-depth immersion of the full PPL course.
After passing your GACA written and practical exams you will be the proud holder of a PPL – allowing you to fly a light single engine aircraft.
Other types of aircraft, for example seaplanes and twin-engined aircraft, require more advanced qualifications. Also, a PPL only allows “visual flight rules” – meaning you are not allowed to fly in low visibility conditions. Piloting in extreme adverse weather requires an instrument rating, along with additional training and examinations.
While most trainees see PPL as a stepping-stone to a career as a commercial pilot, many simply aspire to fly as a fun and adventurous weekend sport.
But Captain Islam Saeed Gwyed, security and training manager at the Saudi Aviation Club in Thammah, north of Riyadh, sees piloting as life-enhancing in many respects.
“First of all, when you are in control of a plane, you are 100 percent in the moment, and detached from all your everyday problems and stress.
“Second, it adds to the leadership and decision making of one person. Flying an airplane is a huge responsibility and as a pilot everything comes down to you.
“Third, you’re learning a lot – about the weather conditions, the meteorology, the landscape as well as all the technical aspects of aircraft and the way airports work. And when you’re looking at the world from the cockpit So it’s a very different perception of reality.
“After all, it’s one hobby that can take you to another hobby—so if you want to play golf in Taif or scuba dive in Yanbu, you can just take your plane and go.”
You do not need to return lakhs of rupees to buy an aircraft. Used sport planes (such as the four-seater Cessna Skyhawk 172) are available for as little as SR250,000 – making it even more affordable with shared ownership.
Mohamed recommends Saudi Arabia as a great location for private piloting, “because most airspace has relatively few restrictions compared to London, where you have Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick and Luton airports and all military bases.” With so much air traffic, flying in and out can be a real challenge.
“There’s a wide choice of flight paths you can use here. And it’s a big country with real variations. There’s nothing like seeing a state from the air.”
Gwayed has a word of advice for aspiring private pilots: “Enjoy it!”
“Some students say, ‘I want to finish training, I need to get licensed.’ But I tell them, ‘Just relax and take your time. You’ll probably learn more because you won’t be so stressed about getting a real qualification. It’s not just about getting a license – it’s the journey, and That’s what you should enjoy.'”
“We have an expression in Arabic: ‘Fly with joy.’ And we’re really flying with joy!”