A 6-week immersive aviation workshop for aspiring pilots aged 11–16, combining aviation knowledge, practical simulator missions and AQA Unit

Young Aviator Pre-PPL Academy | Ages 11–16

A 6-week immersive aviation workshop for young people who dream of becoming pilots. Includes practical simulator missions and AQA Unit Award recognition.

Does your child dream of becoming a pilot?

FlightDeck PC's Young Aviator Pre-PPL Academy is a new six-week aviation programme designed for aspiring pilots aged 11–16.

Starting on Saturday 12 September 2026, learners will spend six Saturday mornings exploring the knowledge, practical skills and decision-making used in aviation — and then putting what they learn into practice through FlightDeck PC simulator missions.

This isn't just simulator time.

The programme combines aviation education, practical activities, flight planning, decision-making and immersive simulation to introduce young people to the world of learning to fly.

What will learners explore?

Across the six-week programme, learners will develop their understanding of:

✈️ Principles of flight and aircraft controls

🌦️ Aviation weather and pilot decision-making

🧭 Navigation and flight planning

📋 Aircraft systems, performance and procedures

🎙️ Aviation communication and cockpit discipline

🛫 Practical simulator operations

Each week introduces a new Young Aviator mission, allowing learners to put their developing knowledge into practice.

The programme concludes with a Pre-PPL Check Flight, bringing together what they have learned across the six weeks.

AQA Unit Award recognition

Learners will also work towards AQA Unit Award recognition, providing evidence of the knowledge and skills they have developed during the programme.

The programme is designed as an introduction to the knowledge and skills associated with aviation and learning to fly. It is not a Private Pilot Licence (PPL), PPL ground school or CAA-approved flight training.

The six-week programme

Session 1 — Take Control

Aircraft, cockpit controls and the principles of flight.

Session 2 — Go / No-Go

Aviation weather, human performance and pilot decision-making.

Session 3 — Navigate

Navigation, headings, distance, speed, time and route planning.

Session 4 — Plan the Flight

Aircraft knowledge, fuel, performance and flight planning.

Session 5 — Operate Like a Pilot

Procedures, checklists, aviation communications and circuit operations.

Session 6 — The Check Flight

Plan, brief and complete a final simulator mission.

Dates

Your booking covers all six Sunday sessions from 10:00am–12:00pm:

20 September 2026

27 September 2026

4 October 2026

11 October 2026

18 October 2026

25 October 2026

Learners should be available to attend the complete programme wherever possible.

Founding Cohort

The first Young Aviator Pre-PPL Academy is being offered at a special Founding Cohort price of £299.

Future cohorts will be priced at the standard rate of £349.

This is a cohort-based workshop and a minimum of 3 learners is required for the programme to run.

Places are deliberately limited so that every learner receives meaningful practical involvement and simulator time.

If the minimum cohort is not reached, bookings will be offered a transfer to the next available cohort or a full refund.

What's included?

✅ 12 hours of structured aviation learning

✅ Six Saturday workshops

✅ FlightDeck PC simulator missions

✅ Young Aviator activities and resources

✅ AQA Unit Award recognition

✅ Final Pre-PPL Check Flight

✅ FlightDeck PC programme completion recognition

Want to know more before booking?

We understand that committing to a six-week programme is a significant decision.

Parents and guardians are welcome to arrange a short pre-course call with Ken before booking to discuss the programme, their young person's interests and whether the Academy would be the right fit.

Please contact FlightDeck PC for details.

1:1 Young Aviator Pre-PPL tuition is also available for learners who would benefit from a more personalised programme or cannot attend the scheduled cohort.

Experience | Inspire | Progress

The Immersive Hub lets you experience what's possible, be inspired by what you could become, and progress towards your future.

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