Yellow gyroplane during take off in a flying lesson with Rotor-Sport Australia

Flight Training 101: What To Expect During Your First Lesson

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Ever dreamed of soaring through the Australian skies with a bird’s-eye view of the stunning landscapes below? With us, your journey to becoming a pilot begins with our introductory flying lesson for as little as $110. Let’s prepare you for the thrilling experience that awaits at our Adelaide flight school!

Get To Know Our Aircraft

First, let’s step into the hangar and meet the aircraft in the Rotor-Sport Fleet:

  • In the Auto-Gyro Cavalon Gyroplane, you’ll sit side-by-side with a qualified instructor, learning the nuances of gyroplane control in an aircraft celebrated for its luxurious comfort and exceptional panoramic views.
  • The ELA 10-Eclipse Gyroplane offers a jetfighter-like experience in a tandem configuration, complete with a sophisticated, ergonomically designed interior, heated seats for those chilly days, and an intuitively laid-out instrument panel.
  • Training in the ELA-07 Cougar Gyroplane, the ‘motorbike of the sky’, provides a unique, convertible-style flying experience, perfect for those who crave a more exhilarating approach to aviation training.
  • For a taste of fixed-wing aviation, the Jabiru 230 and 160 Aeroplanes serve as ideal training aircraft. The 6-cylinder J230 is a versatile, light-sport aircraft designed for both training and touring, while the more economical 4-cylinder J160 offers a slightly smaller yet equally enjoyable flying experience, although the cabin does have more space than the larger J230!

Your First Lesson at Rotor-Sport 

Your first day at our flight school begins with a pre-flight ground briefing, where you’ll learn the essentials of aircraft operation and safety. This briefing is crucial; it’s where you’ll get your first taste of what it means to be a pilot.

Once in the air, you take control. Guided by a qualified instructor, you’ll navigate the skies, learning how to manage the aircraft. This hands-on experience is exhilarating and informative, giving you a real sense of what flying entails.

After landing, you’ll have a post-flight debrief to discuss your flight. This is where you’ll get feedback to hone your skills and prepare for future lessons.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your First Flight

  • Weather-Dependent Scheduling: Safety first! We’ll notify you 24 hours in advance if weather conditions require rescheduling.
  • Dress Code: Wear comfortable clothes, sunglasses for glare reduction (non-polarised if you’ll be flying a gyroplane), and a cap for sun protection.
  • Rest Well: Ensure you’re well-rested before your flight for optimal focus and performance.
  • Familiarise with Aviation Apps: Aviation apps offer weather updates, navigation charts, and educational resources. They’re a valuable supplement to your training. We will introduce you to the appropriate apps as your training progresses.
  • Watch Educational Videos: Regularly watch videos on the Rotor-Sport YouTube channel. These can provide visual learning on various aspects of flying, aircraft features, and safety procedures.

If you’re interested in becoming a qualified sport pilot, we can provide the additional training you need at Rotor-Sport. Minimum hours needed to become qualified varies depending on the person, but the benchmark is around 20-30 hours. Once qualified, the sky will become your playground, as you will be able to fly around 95% of Australia outside of controlled airspace.
Rotor-Sport flight school is located at Rollo’s Airfield, Pallamana Road, SA 5254, offering an ideal setting for your flight training. Our mission is to help you become a safe, skilled and passionate pilot; and we can’t wait to help you to learn to fly in Adelaide. Choose your flight option on our website today!