GA v's RA

[Guest Bigfella]

Hi Everyone,

 

I know this may seem like a very basic question but being new to flying and this forum I was wondering if someone could give a simple explanation of the difference between General Aviation and Recreational Aviation? What are the pro's and con's of each?

 

I meant to ask my instructor the other day but it some how got lost in all the other questions I had for him :)

 

Cheers,

 

Bigfella

 

 

[HeadInTheClouds]

Basics:

 

RAA:

 

- Not administered by CASA, it's own organisation

 

- 2 seats only, <600kg MTOW

 

- No NVFR, IFR or use of CTA (CTA with exceptions though)

 

- max altitude 10000ft

 

- Hourly rates tend to be cheaper than GA

 

GA:

 

- CASA administered

 

- No limit on seats, not limit on MTOW I guess

 

- NVFR, IFR and CTA with appropriate training

 

- Hourly rates tend to be more expensive than RAA

 

 

[Guest Bigfella]

Thanks HeadInTheClouds,

 

Simple question, simple answer, perfect.

 

So the fact that I'm doing my training in a 4 seater Piper Warrior puts me under the GA classification.

 

Cheers,

 

Bigfella

 

 

[HeadInTheClouds]

Thanks HeadInTheClouds,Simple question, simple answer, perfect.

So the fact that I'm doing my training in a 4 seater Piper Warrior puts me under the GA classification.

 

Cheers,

 

Bigfella

It certainly does.

 

 

[Guest pookemon]

- No NVFR, IFR or use of CTA (CTA with exceptions though)

The CTA side of things I find interesting. From my reading you can get a CTA endorsement - but you must have your PPL (GA) CTA endorsement - and you can only use it if the A/C has an approved engine (i.e. certified AFAIK).

 

However - there are RAA flight schools that operate at towered aerodromes (with approval). Does this mean that the students can learn to fly, effectively with the CTA endorsement until they are licensed, then they have to fly elsewhere? Or are they OK as long as they only fly the schools A/C?

 

Oh and RAA has NO aerobatics (60 deg bank turns are the closest you'll get) while GA has that option (with appropriate training of course...). And if you start GA you have the option of doing the 150 hours CPL where as an RAA pilot is restricted to the 200 hour (I think).

 

 

[HeadInTheClouds]

However - there are RAA flight schools that operate at towered aerodromes (with approval). Does this mean that the students can learn to fly, effectively with the CTA endorsement until they are licensed, then they have to fly elsewhere? Or are they OK as long as they only fly the schools A/C

Yep, and I am one of those students. Although here it isn't an issue as the instructor has a CPL (Obviously) with CTA and so as long is he is in the aircraft flying in CTA is fine, solo has to be done when the tower shuts for the day or before it is opened though. I think you can get an exception for training which will apply to an aircraft where students can fly solo while the tower is operational, but I think that means a class 2 medical and sitting the GA Radio exam.

 

 

[nathan_c]

Im flying at one of those schools as well, the requirement is to have a class 2 medical, however I sat the RA AUS radio exam with a few extra aerodrome specific questions tacked on (for the cta), not the GA radio exam. The exemption allows the student to fly only the schools aircraft in the CTA that the exemption is for (for example Archerfield), but you are not allowed to enter any other CTA zones. It also allows you to hire the aircraft once you have your certificate and fly the aircraft solo (or with a passenger if you so choose) as long as you maintain that class 2 medical.

 

 

[av8vfr]

Basics:- No limit on seats, not limit on MTOW I guess

From memory most pax is 8 I think and MTOW 5700kg..

 

 

[HeadInTheClouds]

From memory most pax is 8 I think and MTOW 5700kg..

I was talking absolute limit i.e. airliners but hey, that works to!

 

 

[Bill Hamilton]

From memory most pax is 8 I think and MTOW 5700kg..

Head In The Clouds,

Maybe it's the lack of oxygen up there in the clouds.

 

On a PPL, you can fly any aircraft on which you are endorsed.

 

If you have enough money, you can always buy an endorsement on an A-380, as, apparently, several pilots ( not in Australia) have so done.

 

Don't confuse the limits on cost sharing on private flights with limitations on a PPL, two different animals.

 

Cheers,

 

 

[HeadInTheClouds]

Head In The Clouds,Maybe it's the lack of oxygen up there in the clouds.

On a PPL, you can fly any aircraft on which you are endorsed.

 

If you have enough money, you can always buy an endorsement on an A-380, as, apparently, several pilots ( not in Australia) have so done.

 

Don't confuse the limits on cost sharing on private flights with limitations on a PPL, two different animals.

 

Cheers,

...That wasn't my post you quoted...

 

 

[av8vfr]

Head In The Clouds,On a PPL, you can fly any aircraft on which you are endorsed.

If you have enough money, you can always buy an endorsement on an A-380, as, apparently, several pilots ( not in Australia) have so done.

 

Don't confuse the limits on cost sharing on private flights with limitations on a PPL, two different animals.

 

Cheers,

My bad, I referred to the heading "RA v's GA" and I was trying to recall the basic GA limitation (without B737, A320, B-52, etc endorsements) of a standard PPL.

 

If you have the coin, health, time and willingness then fill your boots...lol

 

 

[shags_j]

Flew at Archerfield yesterday for the first time since I switched to RA. So strange having ATC direct me.

 

 

[Derby]

Hi All, I was told the max pax is 6 including you.

 

Rory

 

 

[Bill Hamilton]

Hi All, I was told the max pax is 6 including you.Rory

Derby,

For cost sharing on a private operation, six total is the limit, including pilot(s), but that has nothing to do with other private operations, of the "privileges" of a PPL.

 

If somebody told you different, you can go back and update their aviation knowledge base for them.

 

Cheers,

 

PS: Head In The Clouds,

 

Sorry about that, I'll be more careful in the future.

 

 

[Derby]

Hi Bill.

 

Thanks for that. You learn somthing every day .

 

Chears Rory

 

 

[Guernsey]

Hi Bill.Thanks for that. You learn somthing every day .

Chears Rory

I agree....I learn something every day and forget several things every day...HELP I'm going backwards. .

 

Alan....well I think that's what my name is.