Private Pilot Training
PPL or LAPL – on Aquila, Cessna or Cirrus. At the pace of your calendar.
We make your dream of flying come true!
Not just better. Different.
Enjoy Pilot Training at its finest
RheinMain Flightcenter, the premium flight school in the Rhine-Main region, focuses on student pilots with the highest expectations regarding safety, quality and aircraft equipment; on busy professionals who expect flexibility and individual service; on everyone seeking maximum efficiency – and on future commercial and airline pilots.
We promise you that you will not receive higher-quality training anywhere else.
With us, you will find neither the typical features of a flying club (work assignments, construction hours, membership fees, often lower-grade equipment) nor volume-driven standard processing on aircraft that you probably would not want to fly later on. Rather, we understand that you have little time and yet ambitious goals, that you do not appreciate the arbitrary and the average, and that you are used to – or aspire to – the exceptional. We are just like you and share exactly these views. That is why we stand for highly efficient training on brand-new and as-new aircraft with top-quality equipment, and for tailor-made concepts that let you enjoy the equipment, too, and take you safely and straight to your goal – just as you are used to or hope for.
We have arguably the youngest and most modern company-owned fleet in the wider region, so you already have a choice during training: from the small, ultra-modern Aquila (two-seater; even this one, with us, has state-of-the-art avionics, a glass cockpit, superb further equipment and is night-capable) and the legendary Cessna (four-seater; with us, with a state-of-the-art digital high-end Garmin G1000 glass cockpit and full IFR certification) to the super-fast and comfortable Cirrus (a beautiful and fast dream touring aircraft with top equipment, IFR certification and a unique ballistic parachute system).
Our flight instructors are outstandingly qualified – the vast majority airline or commercial pilots – and most of them have many years of experience in pilot training across all licenses.
At a glance
- For whom: Demanding student pilots, busy professionals, efficiency seekers and future commercial pilots
- What you will not find: Work assignments, construction hours, membership fees, mass processing
- Your training aircraft: Aquila (two-seater, glass cockpit, night-capable) · Cessna C172 (Garmin G1000, IFR) · Cirrus SR20 (IFR, ballistic parachute)
- Your flight instructors: more than 45, the vast majority airline or commercial pilots
Private pilot training: PPL or LAPL?
Aspiring private airplane pilots are spoiled for choice between two possible licenses: the private pilot license “PPL (A)” and the so-called light aircraft pilot license “LAPL (A)” – the (A) standing for “aeroplane” in each case and thus distinguishing the license from its counterparts for other categories of aircraft, such as helicopters (H).
While the law prescribes a minimum of 45 flight hours of practical training for the PPL, the LAPL requires only a minimum of 30 flight hours. The LAPL is therefore formally less demanding than the PPL. In return, it is valid only in the EASA member states (roughly equivalent to Europe) and is restricted to aircraft with a maximum takeoff mass of 2,000 kg (which most small aircraft do not exceed anyway), whereas the PPL is valid worldwide. In addition, the LAPL can only be extended by the night rating; carrying passengers (a maximum of three) requires 10 hours as pilot in command, and the requirements for the medical certificate are less strict.
The PPL, by contrast, can serve as the starting point for all further qualifications, ratings and licenses. So if you consider it likely that you will at least add the instrument rating after the first step, or if you also want to fly outside Europe (for example in the “pilots’ paradise”, the USA), the decision for the PPL is an easy one. If, on the other hand, you are certain that you will only fly in Europe and at most want to add the night rating, the LAPL may be an option. We will be happy to advise you!
| LAPL (A) | PPL (A) | |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | EASA states | worldwide |
| Practical training (minimum) | 30 flight hours, of which 15 with an instructor and 6 solo | 45 flight hours, of which 25 with an instructor and 10 solo |
| Theory | approx. 100 hours without prior knowledge | approx. 100 hours without prior knowledge |
| Passengers | max. 3, only after 10 hours as pilot in command | unlimited |
| Takeoff mass | max. 2,000 kg | unlimited |
| Extendable | night rating only | up to the airline transport pilot license |
| Medical | LAPL | Class 2 |
Theory – only with us in
three alternative formats
Theoretical training covers the subjects of aircraft general knowledge, principles of flight, flight performance and planning, operational procedures, air law, human performance, meteorology, navigation and communications. It is competency-based and takes around 100 hours without prior knowledge – possibly considerably less.
With us, you choose the type of theory training that suits your calendar and your learning preferences:Hybrid face-to-face theory training – unlimited participation in our live group sessions with brilliant theory instructors.Video-based theory coaching – video lessons at any time, plus live Q&A sessions via Zoom several times a week.Distance learning – learning material in digital or printed form, plus up to 15 hours of group sessions on site.While our hybrid face-to-face theory training not only prepares you for the theory exam but – through our outstanding theory instructors – also gives you the knowledge as a solid, practical and truly understood foundation for your life as a pilot (which is impossible with distance learning), distance learning lets you work through the theory whenever it suits you (for example on the train, in waiting rooms or “before falling asleep”).
Video-based theory coaching combines, as it were, the best of both worlds: you experience pre-recorded “live sessions” at any time you like and also receive a complete package of preparation, follow-up and support. This theory option is particularly recommended if you want to complete the theory “in one go” – often before starting the practical training.
In addition to our three theory formats, we offer courses for the German radiotelephony certificates (BZF and AZF), language proficiency tests up to Level 6, intensive courses and private lessons.
We register you for the exam as soon as you have passed our internal pre-check with at least 85 %.
Practical training – with your own flight instructor
Fortunately, you will also fly a great deal during your training: at least 45 flight hours, of which at least 25 with an instructor and 10 solo – including 5 hours of solo cross-country flight. Practical training can be divided into three phases, which, however, are not rigidly separated from one another:Basic training – aircraft handling, takeoff and landing in the traffic pattern, emergency procedures – up to your first solo flight in the traffic patternCross-country training – developing your flying skills, more complex maneuvers, cross-country flights to other airfields, navigation and radio communication – up to the solo cross-country flightExam preparation – consolidating and refining, with examiner instructors – up to the simulated skill testAs a rule, you will have a dedicated flight instructor who leads your practical training and schedules your lessons directly with you; a second instructor stands in for him or her. In addition, our entire team of more than 45 flight instructors is at your disposal.
You will fly the Aquila, the Cessna C172 with Garmin G1000 glass cockpit, or the Cirrus SR20 right from the start – the aircraft that many go on to charter anyway.
You can also practice procedures and emergencies on our simulators – independent of the weather and at lower cost than in the aircraft.
We register you for the skill test once you have passed a simulated test with one of our examiner instructors or our head of training.
Unbeatable value for money
As your premium flight school, we promise you the best training you can get at unbeatable value for money: nowhere else will you receive training at a lower price on aircraft that are equally high-quality and modern – and that, moreover, are all exclusively owned by the flight school (and not by private owners seeking a return) – with commercial or airline pilots as instructors and tailor-made concepts.
Nor do we pretend to offer a “package price” (independent of the number of hours you actually end up needing) that ultimately does not and cannot exist anywhere. Instead, we simply promise you one thing: maximum transparency and fairness.
Your costs are made up as follows:one-time administration fee on registrationtheory package of your choicepractical training: aircraft charter rate × actual block time, plus flight instructor × time actually spent – each according to our price listYou pay without any prepayment and only ever for what you have actually flown (“pay as you fly”). Alternatively, you pay the charter in three installments in advance – in return, we grant you a discount. External costs such as landing, authority and examination fees are added – as everywhere.
You will find sample calculations for all aircraft types in our Brochure; we will be happy to send it to you.
What you need to start
So that we can register you as a student pilot with the competent aviation authority, we take care of the following together with you:
- Application for the background check (ZÜP) – usually takes 3–6 weeks; you already start with the theory during this time
- Extract from the German driving fitness register (Federal Motor Transport Authority) – also available digitally via German ID card
- Copy of your ID card or passport
- Training and charter agreement
- Aviation medical certificate (Class 2 or LAPL) – at the latest shortly after the start of training
Frequently asked questions
We look forward to answering all your questions in a personal meeting or phone call – of course entirely without obligation for you. In the meantime, here are answers to some of the questions we are asked most often.
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What sets RheinMain Flightcenter apart from other flight schools?
First of all, certainly our unique fleet of ultra-modern dream aircraft, which moreover – unlike with the vast majority of others – are without exception owned and operated solely by us (and do not belong to private individuals who, for an uncertain period, seek a contribution to their costs and revenue and therefore have their aircraft marketed by a flight school – which the latter then usually does without disclosing this fact, while advertising its supposedly huge hangar …). In addition, we stand for tailor-made, individual and flexible premium solutions far removed from volume-driven standard business. We are owner-managed and perhaps the only flight school run out of pure passion, without having to earn a living from it.
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I am extremely busy at work and have hardly any time, but I would still like to fulfill my dream of flying. Is that possible?
Oh yes, it is – at least with a partner like us, who is practically specialized in “difficult cases”, flexible, and tailors your training to your schedule and other requirements. Give yourself and us the chance to introduce you to the wonderful world of flying alongside the demands of your working life (yes, exactly: alongside – making that possible is our job) – with maximum efficiency!
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Can the training be completed all year round?
Absolutely! You can fly all year round, and every season has its very own advantages. In winter, for example, it is often much more relaxed in the air (and on the ground at the airfield) simply because there is “less going on”; the air is also usually clear and calm – under blue skies. In every season there are days of poor, unflyable weather. You simply use them – again, in every season – for theory training, debriefings with your flight instructor, flight planning and so on.
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Can I start training at any time?
Yes, you can! Training with us is always individual – we adapt completely to you (and not the other way around).
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On which days of the week and at what times are lessons held?
Entirely up to you – training at RheinMain Flightcenter is always individual! You schedule your practical training directly with your flight instructor, including on weekends and public holidays. For theory, you choose the format that suits your calendar: we set the live group sessions of our hybrid face-to-face theory training in consultation with our students; with video-based theory coaching you learn at any time and ask your questions in several live Q&A sessions per week; with distance learning you work completely independently. And if you want it entirely individual, you can additionally book private lessons – at your preferred times and, by arrangement, at your preferred location.
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How long does private pilot training take?
That depends above all on the time you invest, but also on circumstances that neither of us can influence (such as the weather). Let us answer the question this way: quite a few customers have needed only a (very) few months for their entire training. On the other hand, there are customers who deliberately want to take all the time in the world and/or who drop out for longer periods in between for professional or other reasons; for them, it can take many months. A good rule of thumb may be to expect around six months if you are – subject to the weather and special circumstances – at least generally prepared to fly once or twice a week and to work through the theory in parallel.
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Is it possible to complete the training in one go in the shortest possible time?
In principle and in theory, yes – and we have managed it more than once. Experience shows, however, that external circumstances (weather, exam dates and much more) rarely all cooperate at the same time, so you should not rely on it. Moreover, we want to train you to become a great, safe and level-headed pilot who masters the aircraft and flying completely and “in your sleep”. For us, reaching this goal together is a must, and the time needed to get there always takes precedence – with us.
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I do not live very close to Frankfurt-Egelsbach, but would still like to train with you. Can I complete all or part of the training “en bloc”?
We have many customers who travel very long distances to complete their training with us. We will gladly structure your training so that you can complete at least large parts of it in one or more blocks, so that you do not have to travel for individual lessons; we have a great deal of (very good) experience with this. Of course, we also depend on external factors (such as the weather) that we cannot influence. But it will certainly not fail because of us!
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I have health restrictions.
Talk to us in advance – together, and if necessary informally with the aviation medical examiner, we will consider how best to proceed.
Testimonials
“Thanks to fantastic flight instructors and a great teaching concept, I got my PPL(A) in minimum time – on a Cirrus SR20! I am very grateful and now an enthusiastic charter customer :-)”
“Outstanding training with top flight instructors – on the best aircraft. It is incredibly instructive, really pleasant, and two things are always the focus: safety and fun. What more could you want – except more time to fly? I can only wish every private pilot an RMFC training!”
“From my own experience, I can recommend RheinMain Flightcenter without reservation, both as a flight school and as a charter company. Very professionally and service-oriented (owner-)managed, an excellently equipped fleet at competitive prices and flight instructors who are as competent as they are likeable. For me, clearly the first choice in the Rhine-Main region!”
“Best flight school in the world! 😍”
“The best flight instructors! Top aircraft! Family atmosphere!”
“I did my PPL(A) here and was very satisfied! Thanks to direct contact with the management, any concern can be resolved easily. I was especially pleased to have completed my training professionally and very quickly in a family environment. I can recommend RMFC without reservation!”
“Top flight school, super modern and well-kept aircraft and friendly, likeable flight instructors. Exactly the right place if you plan to fly or learn to fly in the Rhine-Main region.”
“Awesome aircraft rental! New modern aircraft and quick and professional staff. Everything step of the process is with safety in mind, ensuring you feel safe. The instructors for diff./fam. training are available with short notice. When renting, the time from landside, to cockpit is less than 5min. Highly recommended!”
Join us!
Get to know us.
In a personal meeting, we clarify your goals, answer your questions and show you our fleet – with no obligation.
Aviation Solutions:
Custom made
Our Aircraft
Cirrus SR22 Turbo GTS G7 (D-EQML)
Learn moreCirrus SR22 Turbo GTS G3 (D-EPMP)
Learn moreCirrus SR20 Premium G6 (D-ERMX)
Learn moreCirrus SR20 GTS G3 (D-EJJT)
Learn moreCirrus SR20 GTS G2 (D-ENPT)
Learn moreBristell B23 Turbo (D-ERMQ)
Learn moreCessna C172 R (D-EBMC)
Learn moreAquila A211 G (D-EQFE)
Learn moreAquila A210 (D-EAQS)
Learn moreAquila A210 (D-EFEF)
Learn moreYour Premium Flight School | Your High-End Aircraft Charter
Interested in a discovery flight, pilot training, Cirrus training or charter?
Aviation Solutions:
Custom made
