The minimum age required to apply for a ‘Fixed-wing’ Aeroplane Private Pilot Licence (PPL(A)) or PPL(H) – for Helicopters – is 17 (Note it is 16 for a Glider or Balloons). You will also need to hold at least a Class 2 Medical Certificate before your first solo. You may start logging hours aged 14, and fly solo at 16 as part of your training.
A PPL for Aeroplanes (PPL(A)) will allow you to act as pilot in command (PIC) in non-commercial* operations on aeroplanes or touring motor gliders (TMGs) with a Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) of up to 5,700kg. The UK is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and as such the ‘full’ PPL is an international licence that should be recognised around the world. You should be able to fly a UK ‘G’-registered aircraft to/from any other ICAO state (almost all countries are members) and also validate your licence in other countries to hire (for example) aircraft registered locally.
* Note that holders of a PPL(A) with Flight Instructor or Examiner privileges can be paid for Flight instruction for the LAPL(A) or PPL (A), and for conducting Skill Tests and Proficiency Checks for the PPL(A) [or Light Aircraft Pilot Licence, or LAPL] and any associated ratings or certificates.
Training
You must complete your PPL training course at a UK CAA-listed Approved Training Organisation (ATO) or Declared Training Organisation (DTO). There are many in the UK. The CAA requires you to complete a minimum of 45 hours of flight instruction in an aeroplane. 25 hours of this must be dual flight instruction (with an instructor) and 10 hours solo as pilot-in-command of which 5 hours must be cross-country flights (flying away from your base training airfield).
Most of your training is in preparation of your Qualifying Cross Country solo flight – a triangular route of no less than 150 nautical miles which includes a landing at two different airfields. After the Qualifying Cross Country, you will do some revision flying, a Mock Skills Test and finally the Skills Test – a practical flying test (approx. 2.5 hours) consisting of general handling of the aircraft and navigation.
Theory
You will need to take and pass exams in the following subject areas:
Common subjects:
· Air Law
· Human Performance
· Meteorology
· Communications
· Navigation
Exams specific to the aircraft category:
· Principles of Flight
· Operational Procedures
· Flight Performance & Planning
· Aircraft General Knowledge
You will need to apply for an account on the CAA’s Licensing Portal in order to apply for a medical examination and use this also for other applications including eExams. You then ask to be linked to the DTO or ATO where you are undertaking your training, to they can set and administer your eExams online, in the Training School or Flying Club. Note that for the medical examination you will further have to make an appointment with an Approved Medical Examiner. You will a Medical and to have passed the Air Law Exam to be able to undertake your First Solo flight. Operational Procedures is also recommended. The CAA allows 18 months for you to complete all the exams after the date of taking the first; and they remain valid for 24 months from the date of the last exam.
Personally, I would recommend you do a 5-day theory course to get the exams out the way – and also have some good theoretical background before you start the main pilot training. It’s not essential but will help a lot! Try Linda Wheeler Ground School (NW of London) or Academy Aviation (at North Weald) or (in Northern Ireland), SkyLearner or ACS Flight Training in Scotland.
Renew / Revalidate your PPL
To renew the Single Engine rating which lasts 2 years (to the end of the month following the month you passed your Still Test in) you must pass a Proficiency Check in a single-engine (single-pilot) aeroplane with a CAA-approved Examiner. The Proficiency Check must take place within the 3 months immediately before the rating’s expiry date.
Alternatively you can Revalidate by Experience. This requires:
12 hours of flight time in single-engine (single-pilot) aeroplane within the 12 months preceding the rating’s expiry date, including:
6 hours as pilot-in-command (PIC)
12 take-offs and landings
A training flight of at least one hour (or a maximum of three totalling one hour) with the same Flight Instructor (FI) or Class Rating Instructor (CRI). If you have already completed a Proficiency Check or Skill Test in another type or class of aeroplane, you will not have to complete this training flight. SEP Revalidation by Experience can be signed in a UK issued licence by an Examiner holding a valid UK issued Part-FCL Examiner certificate or a Flight Instructor with the privileges of FCL.945 (the latter must have been the one who flew the one hour – mentioned previously – with you).
This revalidation can be done at any point in the three months before licence expiry while retaining the same expiry date, extended by another two years. However the CAA expects to receive acknowledgement by the expiry date for the revalidation (or renewal) to be valid – this is done by the FCL.945 Instructor, or Examiner, using CAA Form 1157 sent by post or e-mailed to licenceapplications@caa.org.uk.