Pilot Licences — Annex 1 / Part-FCL
General (ICAO)
ICAO Annex 1 Personnel Licensing sets international standards for pilot licences. Flight crew licensing is subject of ICAO Annex 1.
ICAO licence types
- Student Pilot Licence (SPL).
- Private Pilot Licence (PPL).
- Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).
- Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL).
- Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).
"Private Pilot" — definition
"Private pilot" is the title for a pilot holding a license permitting the operation of aircraft for money for training and check flights only:
- PPL is non-commercial.
- Payment only in a limited scope (training, check flights as instructor).
- Cost-sharing with passengers is allowed.
Exercising rights from PPL(A)
The possession of a European PPL(A) entitles the holder to act as PIC on non-commercial flights without compensation as well as to receive compensation as a flight instructor.
Minimum age
Applicants for PPL & LAPL need to, in case of aeroplanes and helicopter, be at least 17 years of age.
The minimum age to obtain a private pilot license is 17 years, the minimum age for a PPL (A/H) student pilot solo flight is 16 years.
Medical certificate required
The rights from a license may only be executed when the holder carries, beside the license, a valid medical certificate.
Medical Class 2 — validity
The validity of a medical examination certificate class 2 is 5 years below 40, 2 years between 40 and 50, and 12 months for 50 and above:
| Age at issue | Validity |
|---|---|
| Under 40 | 5 years |
| 40 - 50 | 2 years |
| 50 and older | 12 months |
PPL — unlimited validity
A PPL has unlimited validity:
- The licence itself does not expire.
- BUT: class rating, type rating, medical certificate, and recency requirements (see next lessons) must be current to exercise the licence.
Examination requirements
An examination is rated as "passed", when the applicant has scored at least 75 % of the maximum possible points.
Additional practical training has to be absolved if not all parts of the examination could be successfully completed in 2 attempts.
The applicant has to complete all required parts of an examination within 18 months.
Europe (EASA / EU)
In the EU, Reg (EU) 1178/2011 governs all licences and medicals:
- Part-FCL for licences (PPL, LAPL, CPL, ATPL).
- Part-MED for medical.
LAPL (Light Aircraft Pilot Licence)
Simplified EU licence for PPL-like operations:
Holders of a LAPL(A) are permitted to act as PIC in single-engine piston land aeroplane with a maximum take-off mass of 2000 kg or less, whereat not more than 4 persons may be carried:
- MTOM ≤ 2000 kg.
- Max 4 persons on board (pilot + 3).
- Single-engine, piston, land.
Holders of a LAPL(A) may only execute the rights from their licenses when they have completed, within the previous 24 months, at least 12 hours as PIC including 12 take-offs and landings, and a refresher training of at least one hour total flight time with an instructor:
- LAPL recency: 24 months / 12 h PIC / 12 T-O+L / 1 h refresher.
PPL — EASA requirements
- Minimum age 17 (solo 16).
- Minimum training time 45 hours total flight time.
- Theory exam in 9 subjects.
- Skill Test with examiner.
Germany (national)
In Germany Part-FCL and Part-MED apply directly. National additions in LuftPersV (Luftpersonalverordnung):
- The LBA is NOT the issuing authority — the regional aeronautical authority ('Landesluftfahrtbehörde') is responsible for the issuance of a PPL license.
- 16 state authorities by applicant's residence.