Pilot Licences — ICAO Annex 1 and Part-FCL

Every pilot licence you will hold — from student pilot to PPL and beyond — is built on the international standards of ICAO Annex 1 (Personnel Licensing) and, within the EU, on Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 (Part-FCL and Part-MED). This lesson covers the licence types, what a private pilot may and may not do, the age and medical requirements, and the examination rules — all of which are heavily tested.

The international framework (ICAO)

Flight crew licensing is the subject of ICAO Annex 1, Personnel Licensing. Annex 1 defines the internationally recognised licence types:

Student Pilot Licence (SPL)
Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL)
Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)

What a private pilot may do

"Private pilot" is the title for a pilot holding a licence which does not permit the operation of aircraft for remuneration — flying for money is exactly what the PPL excludes. Narrow exceptions exist only for instruction and check flights (as a flight instructor FI or examiner FE) and for cost-sharing with passengers.

In Part-FCL terms (FCL.205.A): the holder of a PPL(A) may act as PIC or co-pilot on non-commercial flights without remuneration, and may additionally receive remuneration for flight instruction once qualified as an instructor. Sharing the direct costs of a flight with your passengers is permitted.

Minimum ages

Applicants for a PPL and for a LAPL must, in the case of aeroplanes and helicopters, be at least 17 years of age.
The minimum age for a PPL(A/H) student pilot solo flight is 16 years.

So: first solo at 16, licence issue at 17.

Licence, medical certificate, and validity

The privileges of a licence may only be exercised if the holder carries, besides the licence, a valid medical certificate. For the PPL this is the Class 2 medical (Part-MED, MED.A.045), whose validity depends on age:

Age	Class 2 validity
Under 40	5 years
40 to 50	2 years
50 and older	12 months

An EASA PPL itself has unlimited validity — the licence document never expires. But to exercise it, the class or type rating, the medical certificate and the recency requirements (see the following lessons) must all be current.

Obtaining the PPL(A): training and examinations

Route to the licence under Part-FCL:

Minimum 45 hours of flight instruction total.
Theoretical knowledge examination in 9 subjects.
Skill test with an examiner.

The examination rules must be kept apart — this is a favourite exam trap:

Theoretical examination (FCL.025):

A paper is passed with at least 75 % of the maximum possible points.
A maximum of 4 attempts per paper is allowed.
All papers must be passed within 6 examination sittings and within a period of 18 months.

Skill test (FCL.235):

If the applicant fails to pass all sections of the skill test in 2 attempts, further practical training is required.

The LAPL(A) — Light Aircraft Pilot Licence

The LAPL is the simplified EU licence (it exists only under EASA law, not under ICAO Annex 1). Holders of a LAPL(A) may act as PIC on single-engine piston land aeroplanes with a maximum take-off mass of 2 000 kg or less, carrying not more than 4 persons (pilot plus a maximum of 3 passengers).

LAPL(A) recency (FCL.140.A): the privileges may only be exercised if, within the previous 24 months, the holder has completed at least 12 hours as PIC including 12 take-offs and landings, plus refresher training of at least 1 hour of total flight time with an instructor.

Germany (national)

Part-FCL and Part-MED apply directly in Germany; national supplements are found in the LuftPersV (Luftpersonalverordnung). Note the authority structure: the LBA is not the issuing authority for the PPL — the regional aviation authority ("Landesluftfahrtbehörde") is responsible for issuing a PPL, with 16 federal-state authorities competent according to the applicant's residence.

Exam essentials

Flight crew licensing is the subject of ICAO Annex 1 (Personnel Licensing).
A private pilot licence does not permit flying for remuneration; the only exceptions are instruction/check flights as FI/FE and cost-sharing with passengers.
The minimum age for PPL and LAPL issue (aeroplanes and helicopters) is 17 years; the minimum age for a student solo flight is 16 years.
Licence privileges may only be exercised with a valid medical certificate carried alongside the licence.
The Class 2 medical is valid 5 years under age 40, 2 years from 40 to 50, and 12 months from age 50.
The EASA PPL itself does not expire, but ratings, medical and recency must be current to exercise it.
Theory exam: pass mark 75 %, maximum 4 attempts per paper, all papers within 6 sittings and 18 months.
Skill test: failing to pass all sections in 2 attempts requires further practical training.
LAPL(A): SEP(land) up to 2 000 kg MTOM, maximum 4 persons on board; recency of 12 h PIC with 12 take-offs/landings plus 1 h refresher within 24 months.
In Germany the Landesluftfahrtbehörde, not the LBA, issues the PPL.