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LAA Coaching Scheme |
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The Pilot
Coaching Scheme, (or PCS, as it's better known) was instigated some
years ago to provide specialist training that was not readily available
elsewhere for LAA (formerly PFA) pilots
In the years since its inception, the scheme has expanded its boundaries to become a UK wide Organisation, with a structure of Senior Coaches and Assistant Coaches established in a regional network controlled by the office at Turweston. The Coaches have been carefully selected for their extensive background involvement in the flying of LAA aeroplanes, and have been "standardised“ to ensure conformality of training standards and methods. All the Assistant Coaches have also been selected for their experience and have also been standardised by the Senior Coaches. The Coaching scheme is recognized by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, and both the Coaches and Assistant Coaches have been issued with Class Rating Instructor authorities by the CAA. The scheme was originally established to offer specialist training courses to LAA (PFA) members, and these courses are still available. They include Type Conversion Course, Strip Flying Course, Refresher Flying Course, a newly-available Display Flying Course and other Specialist Type Courses to suit the applicant's requirements, and the prestigious LAA Gold, Silver and Bronze Flying Diplomas. With the instigation of the JAR PPL renewal requirements, it was necessary for the applicant to undertake, prior to the expiry of the current certificate, a one hour refresher training flight with an instructor. |
To assist the
LAA Pilot, who
would not be particularly interested in going to an FTO (Flying Training
Organisation) to undergo this one hour dual flight requirement, the PCS
gained the permission of the CAA to authorise the Coaches and Assistant
Coaches to conduct these training flights, and more importantly, to permit
these flights to be conducted in LAA/PFA Permit aircraft, and at the minimum
cost to the applicant.
This has proved to be a great success and many LAA pilot members have benefited from the experience of flying with the Coaches in either their own aircraft, or the Coach‘s aircraft to fulfil the licence renewal requirements. LAA PCS members have also been extremely active and instrumental in the legislation and introduction of the new National Private Pilots Licence (NPPL), and are now actively working with the CAA and the other regulatory authorities to gain more privileges in the areas of NPPL Instructor Ratings, instruction from unlicensed airfields and the use of aircraft without a Public Transport C of A for instruction purposes. If you are a Private Pilot, or considering becoming one, it is well worth your while talking to a member of the PCS Coaching Team to explore the benefits available. Not the least of these is the concessions that some of the Aviation Insurance Companies offer to pilots who have completed PCS Courses. The PCS Coaching Team can be reached through the LAA website www.laa.uk.com , or phone HQ on 01280 846786. |
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