Under EASA regulations in Europe, four pilot licences cover general aviation training: LAPL(A), PPL(A), CPL(A), and ATPL(A). Instrument flying, multi-engine aeroplanes and individual aircraft types are added as ratings and endorsements on top of one of these four foundations.
Licence vs rating: what's the difference?
A pilot licence is the primary qualification, the legal foundation that allows you to fly an aircraft for a specific category and purpose. A rating or endorsement, by contrast, is an add-on that expands what you can do with a licence you already hold.
Think of it this way: your PPL(A) is the base card. An Instrument Rating, a Multi-Engine rating, or a Type Rating (for specific aircraft) are all add-ons to that card. Part-FCL gives each aeroplane licence its own subpart: B for the LAPL(A), C for the PPL(A), D for the CPL(A), E for the Multi-crew Pilot Licence (MPL) and F for the ATPL(A). The MPL gives its holder the privileges of a co-pilot in an aeroplane required to be operated with a co-pilot (FCL.405.A), and it is issued only after an integrated MPL course at an ATO that is part of a commercial air transport operator or has a specific arrangement with one (FCL.410.A, Appendix 5). That course admits ab-initio applicants only and includes ATPL(A) level theory, MCC and type rating training, aimed at a co-pilot seat on a multi-engine multi-pilot turbine-powered air transport aeroplane. The four licences below are the ones a pilot training in general aviation chooses between.
LAPL(A), light aircraft pilot licence
The LAPL(A) is the simplest and most restrictive of the four licences. It is designed for recreational flying, for people who want to fly for the sheer joy of it, without pursuing a professional career.
- -Persons on board: at most 3 passengers and 4 persons in total, with a maximum take-off mass of 2,000 kg (FCL.105.A)
- -Flight operations: Visual flight only (VFR), in daytime unless a night rating is added, in good weather
- -No commercial operations: You cannot be paid to fly, nor can you carry paying passengers
- -Minimum training: Just 30 hours of flying time (compared to 45+ for a PPL(A))
The LAPL(A) is perfect if you want a low-cost entry into aviation and you are content to fly a small aircraft around Europe for fun. Its privileges stop at single-engine piston aeroplanes or TMGs of 2,000 kg or less, carrying at most 3 passengers and 4 persons on board. A PPL(A) carries no such cap, and what you may fly is set by the class and type ratings you hold.
PPL(A), private pilot licence
The PPL(A) is issued to ICAO Annex 1 standards. It is the international standard licence for non-commercial operations. With a PPL(A), you can fly for recreation, with passengers, and across borders.
- -Aircraft: Any single-engine or multi-engine aeroplane covered by a class or type rating you hold
- -Passengers: You can carry as many passengers as the aircraft is certified to hold, with no commercial limit on numbers
- -Flight operations: VFR in daytime and under certain night conditions (with a Night Rating); instrument flying needs an IR(A) or a Basic Instrument Rating (BIR, FCL.835)
- -Minimum training: 45 hours of flying, plus theory exams in 9 subjects covering meteorology, navigation, aircraft systems, and more (FCL.210.A and FCL.215)
The PPL(A) is often called the 'gateway licence' because it opens doors. With a PPL(A), you can fly friends and family on weekend trips across the Alps, organise cross-country tours, or rent aircraft from flying clubs across Europe. It is also the foundation for professional qualifications on the modular route, where the CPL(A) course starts from a PPL(A); the integrated ATP(A), CPL(A)/IR and CPL(A) courses also admit ab-initio entrants (Part-FCL, Appendix 3).
CPL(A), commercial pilot licence
The CPL(A) is where aviation becomes professional. It is the first professional licence, with privileges that include commercial air transport (FCL.305). Every airline pilot and charter pilot must hold at least a CPL(A); an airline co-pilot can instead hold an MPL (FCL.405.A(a)). The CPL(A) is significantly more demanding than a PPL(A), both in hours and in skill level. A flight instructor can work on a PPL(A) after passing the CPL theory examination and meeting the experience requirements for the FI(A) certificate.
- -Prerequisites: On the modular route you must first hold a PPL(A) (integrated CPL(A) courses also admit ab-initio entrants), and you must have flown at least 200 hours of total flight time, of which at least 100 hours as pilot-in-command (Part-FCL, Appendix 3, Section E)
- -Compensation: You can legally be paid to fly as pilot-in-command or as a crew member
- -Additional training: 25+ hours of advanced flying, plus modules in air law, commercial flying operations, and emergency procedures
- -Professionalism: CPL(A) training emphasises precision, decision-making under pressure, and commercial flying standards that airlines expect
A CPL(A) alone is not enough to fly for an airline. Before the course for a first type rating on a multi-pilot aeroplane, FCL.720.A(b) allows student pilots currently on an MPL training course, and otherwise requires at least 70 hours as PIC in aeroplanes, a multi-engine IR(A) (held now or in the past), the ATPL(A) theory examinations passed, an MCC certificate (unless the type rating course is combined with an MCC course) and the advanced UPRT course (FCL.745.A), with listed exceptions. Industry shorthand for a CPL(A) holder with an MEP class rating, a multi-engine IR(A), the MCC and all ATPL(A) theory examinations passed is a frozen ATPL(A) (the term does not appear in Part-FCL). But the CPL(A) is the first step into professional aviation, and it represents a real commitment, both in time and in cost. Graduates of our modular pathway have flown for Swiss carriers including Helvetic Airways, and some have become flight instructors.
ATPL(A), airline transport pilot licence
The ATPL(A) is the highest level of pilot qualification under EASA. It is the licence required for an airline captain, the pilot in command of a commercial flight. Earning an ATPL(A) is a significant milestone that requires years of flying experience, advanced training, and demonstration of mastery.
- -Prerequisites: Minimum 1,500 hours of flight time, including PIC time and night flying (FCL.510.A)
- -Two stages: 'frozen ATPL(A)' is industry shorthand for a CPL(A) holder with an MEP class rating, a multi-engine IR(A), the MCC and all ATPL(A) theory exams passed; the 'unfrozen ATPL(A)' with full command authority is issued after the full 1,500 hours, including 500 hours in multi-pilot operations, and the ATPL(A) skill test, and is what airline captains hold
- -Theory: 13 demanding EASA subjects, a comprehensive examination of meteorology, flight planning and monitoring, air law, human performance and limitations, and principles of flight
- -Professional standards: ATPL(A) training and testing demands the highest levels of knowledge, decision-making, and responsibility
The ATPL(A) holder may act as pilot-in-command of aeroplanes in commercial air transport (FCL.505). Frozen ATPL(A) holders (CPL(A) with MEP, multi-engine IR(A), MCC and ATPL(A) theory passed) can work as airline First Officers (right-seat pilots) on their CPL(A) privileges while building hours toward the unfrozen licence. Many pilots find an ATPL(A) progression appeals to them because it keeps doors open: you can fly for airlines, charter operators, or stay independent as a commercial pilot. alpaviation supports students all the way through the ATPL(A) pathway, with in-house training, mentorship, and access to our full fleet including the Diamond DA42 twin-engine aircraft. The MCC course is delivered by our partner SATA (Swiss Airline Training Academy).
Which licence should you get?
The right licence for you depends on your goals, your timeline, and your commitment to aviation. Here are four common scenarios:
Just for fun
Weekend flying and holidays
If you want to fly small aircraft on weekends, take friends to lunch at nearby airfields, or explore Europe on your own schedule, a PPL(A) is your answer. The LAPL(A) is slightly cheaper and faster, but the PPL(A) gives you international mobility and a wider choice of aircraft. Most recreational pilots choose the PPL(A).
Part-time professional
Earn income without airline employment
If you want to turn flying into income without working for an airline, for example flying charters or managing your own aircraft operations, you need a CPL(A) (FCL.305). A PPL(A) holder with an instructor certificate may also be paid for LAPL(A) and PPL(A) instruction (FCL.205.A(b), FCL.900). It typically takes 2-3 years from zero to CPL(A) when training modularly alongside other commitments.
Career focus
Become an airline captain
If your goal is to fly for an airline and eventually command a crew, you will need to progress all the way to ATPL(A). The path is longer (1,500+ hours, 4-6 years typically), but it opens the highest-paying and most sought-after roles in aviation. Most modern airline captains are ATPL(A) holders.
Building expertise
Become a flight instructor
If you want to teach others and build a career in aviation training, you will start with a PPL(A) and work your way toward the Flight Instructor rating. Instructing is one of the routes alpaviation's own graduates have taken.
Whatever path you choose, each licence is valuable on its own. You do not need to have a goal of becoming an airline pilot to justify earning a CPL(A). And you do not need a CPL(A) to have a meaningful aviation life as a PPL(A) holder.
On the modular route every professional licence builds on the PPL(A); the integrated courses also admit ab-initio entrants.
These four licences are a clear pathway from recreational flying to professional aviation. At alpaviation, we are certified to train you toward any of these licences. Your training is built around your timeline, your ambitions, and your life circumstances. If you are ready to start, or if you would like to discuss which licence makes sense for your goals, we are here to help.
Frequently asked questions
What are the four EASA pilot licences for general aviation training?
The four are the LAPL(A), the PPL(A), the CPL(A) and the ATPL(A). Together they cover general aviation training in Europe under EASA regulations. Instrument flying, multi-engine aeroplanes and individual aircraft types are added on top as ratings and endorsements.
What is the difference between a pilot licence and a rating?
A licence is the primary qualification, the legal foundation that allows you to fly an aircraft for a specific category and purpose. A rating or endorsement is an add-on that expands what you can do with a licence you already hold. An Instrument Rating, a Multi-Engine rating and a Type Rating all sit on top of a licence.
Which licence do you need to be paid to fly?
The CPL(A) is the first professional licence and covers commercial flying in general (FCL.305). A PPL(A) holder with instructor or examiner privileges may also be paid for LAPL(A) and PPL(A) instruction and testing (FCL.205.A(b)), and an MPL holder flies as co-pilot in aeroplanes required to be operated with a co-pilot, the airline co-pilot role (FCL.405.A). On the modular route the CPL(A) requires a PPL(A) first, plus at least 200 hours of total flight time, of which at least 100 hours as pilot-in-command. The integrated ATP(A), CPL(A)/IR and CPL(A) courses also admit ab-initio entrants without a PPL(A) (Part-FCL, Appendix 3).
Does a flight instructor need a CPL(A)?
A flight instructor can work on a PPL(A). The requirement is passing the CPL theory examination and meeting the experience requirements for the FI(A) certificate.
Which licence is right for weekend flying?
The PPL(A) covers weekend flying: small aircraft at weekends, friends taken to lunch at nearby airfields, trips you plan yourself. The LAPL(A) is the simplest of the four and is designed for recreational flying, with 30 hours of minimum training against 45 for the PPL(A).
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