PPL(A) vs LAPL(A): Which Pilot Licence Should You Choose?

One of the first questions every aspiring pilot asks is: should I start with a PPL(A) or a LAPL(A)? Both licences will put you in the pilot seat. Both are fully EASA-compliant. Both will teach you to fly to a genuine standard. But they serve different pilots, open different doors, and carry different costs. This article gives you a clear, direct comparison - so you can make the right decision from the start.

The core difference in one sentence

The LAPL(A) is designed for recreational pilots who want to fly within EASA airspace with the minimum training investment. The PPL(A) is the international standard that serves as the foundation for every advanced rating, every commercial licence, and every professional aviation career.

That distinction shapes everything else - the hours required, the costs involved, the medical you need, the aircraft you can fly, and where in the world you can fly them. Understanding that difference before you start will save you time, money, and the frustration of choosing the wrong starting point.

Training comparison

The training programmes differ in scale, not in quality. Both are conducted under EASA Part-FCL and both require a practical skill test with an authorised examiner.

• —Minimum flight hours - LAPL(A): 30 hours | PPL(A): 45 hours
• —Dual instruction - LAPL(A): 15 hours minimum | PPL(A): 25 hours minimum
• —Solo flight time - LAPL(A): 6 hours minimum | PPL(A): 10 hours minimum
• —Cross-country solo - LAPL(A): 80 nm qualifying flight | PPL(A): 150 nm qualifying flight with two intermediate stops
• —Theory subjects - both require ground school across 9 EASA theory subjects

In practice, actual hours flown will exceed the regulatory minimums for most students. The gap between the two programmes in real terms is typically 10–20 additional flight hours for the PPL(A) - which is also 10–20 hours of additional experience and confidence before you fly with passengers.

Privileges comparison

This is where the two licences diverge most significantly. What can you actually do with each one?

• —Aircraft weight - LAPL(A): limited to 2,000 kg MTOW single-engine piston | PPL(A): no weight restriction for SEP aircraft
• —Passengers - both allow up to 3 passengers; LAPL(A) has additional experience requirements before carrying passengers
• —Geography - LAPL(A): EASA member states only | PPL(A): worldwide under ICAO recognition
• —Night flying - neither licence includes night privileges by default; a Night Rating can be added to both
• —Advanced ratings - PPL(A): gateway to IR(A), MEP, CPL(A), ATPL(A) | LAPL(A): cannot lead to a CPL(A) or IR(A)

For a recreational pilot whose entire flying life will be within EASA Europe, the LAPL(A) privileges are entirely sufficient. For anyone with ambitions beyond that boundary - international trips, professional goals, or even the flexibility of knowing your options are open - the PPL(A) privileges justify the additional training.

Cost comparison

Cost is usually a deciding factor, and it is worth being direct about the numbers. All figures are indicative - contact us for a precise quote based on your training schedule.

• —LAPL(A) at alpaviation: indicatively CHF 12,000–15,000 (fewer flight hours, slightly less ground school)
• —PPL(A) at alpaviation: indicatively CHF 15,000–20,000 (more flight hours, full theory programme, wider privileges)
• —LAPL(A) to PPL(A) conversion: approximately CHF 4,000–7,000 in additional training, depending on hours already logged

The LAPL(A) is the lower entry cost. But if you later decide to convert to a PPL(A), you will pay for the additional training separately - meaning the total cost can exceed a direct PPL(A) path. If there is any realistic chance you will want a PPL(A) eventually, training for one directly is usually more cost-effective.

Both licences put you in the pilot seat. The question is not which is better - it is which fits your ambitions.

Can you convert a LAPL(A) to a PPL(A)?

Yes. EASA regulations allow LAPL(A) holders to convert to a PPL(A). The conversion requires additional flight training to bring your hours and experience up to PPL(A) standard - typically around 15 additional flight hours, plus meeting the PPL(A) cross-country solo requirements and passing the PPL(A) skill test.

The conversion is a straightforward process at alpaviation. Your existing LAPL(A) flight time counts fully toward the PPL(A) requirements. However, if you already know the PPL(A) is where you want to be, training for it directly from the start avoids the interruption and additional cost of a conversion programme.

Medical requirements

The LAPL(A) requires a LAPL(A) medical certificate, issued by an Aero-Medical Examiner (AME). It is designed specifically for recreational pilots and is less demanding than the EASA Class 2 medical required for a PPL(A). The PPL(A) requires a valid EASA Class 2 medical - a more thorough examination, though one that the large majority of applicants in reasonable health pass without difficulty. If you already hold a Class 2 medical, it covers the LAPL(A) requirements as well. For most applicants, the medical difference between the two licences is minor; our training team can point you to a qualified AME in the Bern region.

Our recommendation

We advise students honestly, because the right choice depends entirely on your situation. Here is how we typically think about it:

• —If you are genuinely undecided about how far you want to go in aviation - choose the PPL(A). It keeps every option open at a cost difference that is modest when spread over a training programme.
• —If you are certain your flying will be recreational and within EASA Europe, with no interest in commercial licences or international travel - the LAPL(A) is efficient, well-suited, and delivers everything you need.
• —If your goal is a professional licence, an Instrument Rating, or flying outside Europe - start with the PPL(A). The LAPL(A) cannot serve as a stepping stone to those qualifications.

Both programmes at alpaviation are taught to the same standard of instruction, by the same team of certified instructors. The difference between the two paths is in scope - not in the quality of the flying education you receive.

The decision between a PPL(A) and a LAPL(A) is worth getting right at the start. A clear conversation about your goals, your schedule, and your budget will almost always produce an obvious answer. At alpaviation, that conversation is always the first step - and it never costs anything. If you would like to talk through your options, we are here.