The RPL phase starts with initial flight training wherein the student is taught the essentials of safe aircraft operation. These basics include an in-depth understanding of the effects of each flight control input, basic ground and flight manoeuvring, stall awareness (entry and recovery), take-offs & landings, abnormal operation, emergencies, pilotage navigation and radio communication up to a point where the student is deemed ready to safely practise solo take-offs and landings.
From the safe consolidation of solo take-off and landing practise, the student is taught advanced manoeuvres, upset recovery, weather awareness and more advanced emergencies training in the designated training area. When the student is deemed capable of safely departing to and arriving from the training area, along with the safe execution of manoeuvres, the student is then allowed solo to the training area to consolidate and continually improve on skill.
Completion of the RPL phase is when the student is deemed competent to hold an RPL after successful completion of an RPL-equivalent flight test. However, the student is not awarded an RPL.