What Is the PPL(A)? Your Gateway to Private Flying

The PPL(A), or Private Pilot Licence for aeroplanes, is the EASA licence, issued to ICAO Annex 1 standards, to fly aeroplanes and touring motor gliders as pilot-in-command or co-pilot in non-commercial operations, without pay (FCL.205.A). It takes at least 45 hours of flight training, including 25 hours dual and 10 hours supervised solo, plus theory exams in 9 subjects and a Class 2 medical. It is also the first step of the modular route to the Instrument Rating, the CPL(A) and the ATPL(A).

What does PPL(A) stand for?

PPL(A) stands for Private Pilot Licence. The PPL(A) refers specifically to the aeroplane category. It is defined under ICAO Annex 1 and implemented in Europe through EASA Part-FCL regulations. Switzerland, as an EASA member state, issues PPL(A) licences under these standards.

The PPL(A) has existed in some form since the earliest days of civil aviation regulation. It represents a clear and proven standard: the holder has demonstrated the ability to plan and execute flights safely, navigate independently, manage emergencies, and exercise sound aeronautical judgement. That standard is consistent whether your licence is issued in Switzerland, Germany, the UAE, or Canada.

What can you do with a PPL(A)?

The PPL(A) gives you the authority to act, without remuneration, as pilot-in-command or co-pilot of aeroplanes or TMGs in non-commercial operations (FCL.205.A). The aircraft you may fly is set by the class rating you train on (SEP or TMG); further class and type ratings can be added (FCL.700(a)).

• -Fly single-engine piston aircraft (SEP) under EASA Part-FCL
• -Carry passengers, including family and friends, on flights you plan and execute yourself
• -Share costs with passengers on a non-commercial basis
• -Add a Night Rating to fly after dark
• -Build toward advanced ratings: Instrument Rating (IR(A)), Multi-Engine Piston (MEP), and eventually a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL(A))

The PPL(A) is also the usual foundation for a career in aviation. Whether your long-term goal is a CPL(A), an Instrument Rating, or an Airline Transport Pilot Licence, the PPL(A) is where the modular path begins. On the modular route 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 without one (Part-FCL, Appendix 3). If there is any chance your ambitions extend beyond recreational flying, the PPL(A) is the starting point of the modular route.

Training requirements

The PPL(A) training programme is defined by EASA Part-FCL and requires a minimum of 45 flight hours. The training covers a well-structured progression from basic handling to cross-country navigation.

• -45 hours minimum total flight time (FCL.210.A)
• -25 hours dual instruction with a certified flight instructor
• -10 hours supervised solo flight time
• -5 hours solo cross-country flight time, including a qualifying cross-country of at least 150 nm with two full-stop landings at airports other than the departure point
• -Ground school covering 9 EASA theory subjects: Air Law, Human Performance, Meteorology, Communications, Navigation, Principles of Flight, Operational Procedures, Flight Performance and Planning, and Aircraft General Knowledge (FCL.215)
• -EASA Class 2 medical certificate from an Aero-Medical Examiner

The practical skill test is conducted with an EASA-authorised Flight Examiner. It tests all core competencies across a structured sequence of exercises. The written theory examinations are taken at an EASA-approved examination centre. In Switzerland, alpaviation provides full ground school support, structured flight training, and guidance through every step of the examination process.

PPL(A) vs LAPL(A): the key differences

The PPL(A) and LAPL(A) both allow you to fly as pilot-in-command, but they serve different pilots and open different doors. The main differences:

• -Hours: PPL(A) requires 45h minimum (LAPL(A) requires 30h minimum)
• -Geography: LAPL(A) is valid in EASA states only
• -Aircraft: PPL(A) has no weight restriction for SEP aircraft (LAPL(A) is limited to 2,000 kg MTOW)
• -Career path: PPL(A) is the base of the modular route to advanced ratings and professional licences (LAPL(A) is not)

For a full side-by-side comparison, including costs, medical requirements, conversion options, and our recommendation, read our detailed PPL(A) vs LAPL(A) article.

Medical and revalidation requirements

To fly as pilot-in-command under a PPL(A), you must hold a valid EASA Class 2 medical certificate, issued by an Aero-Medical Examiner. The Class 2 medical is a straightforward examination for most applicants in good health. The SEP class rating on your licence is valid for two years. To revalidate it, fly 12 hours in the class within the 12 months before the expiry date, including 6 hours as pilot-in-command, 12 take-offs and 12 landings, and at least 1 hour of refresher training with a flight instructor or class rating instructor (FCL.740.A). A proficiency check with an examiner in the 3 months before expiry is the alternative. If the rating expires, you renew it by passing a proficiency check, after refresher training where the training organisation considers it necessary.

The PPL(A) is the base of the modular route. Whether you fly for pleasure or plan a career, it is the usual place to start.

Is the PPL(A) right for you?

The PPL(A) is the right choice for any pilot with ambitions that extend beyond purely local European recreational flying. You are a strong candidate for the PPL(A) if:

• -You want to fly internationally: outside EASA airspace, or to destinations where an ICAO-standard licence is required
• -You plan to add ratings in the future: night flying, instrument flying, multi-engine, or commercial
• -You have any interest in a professional aviation career, however distant that goal may seem now
• -You want the most capable and widely-recognised private pilot licence available

The PPL(A) does require a greater investment than the LAPL(A): more flight hours, a slightly more comprehensive medical, and a higher training cost. But it also gives you more: more freedom and more doors open. At alpaviation, our PPL(A) graduates train to the EASA Part-FCL standard.

When you hold a PPL(A), you have proven that you can plan, execute, and command a flight safely under visual conditions. That capability is the base the modular route builds on. Ready to begin? We can show you exactly what the path looks like from here.

Frequently asked questions