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

The Private Pilot Licence, or PPL(A), is where most pilots begin and where many are proud to stay. It is the standard private flying qualification under both ICAO and EASA frameworks - recognised in every country with a civil aviation authority, and a prerequisite for every advanced rating, commercial licence, and professional aviation career. If you are serious about flying, the PPL(A) is the place to start.

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 - which means your Swiss PPL(A) is recognised and respected internationally.

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 as pilot-in-command of single-engine piston aircraft for private non-commercial purposes. The breadth of what that means in practice is considerable.

• —Fly single-engine piston aircraft (SEP) anywhere in the world where ICAO licences are recognised
• —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 required foundation for any 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 that path begins. No professional pilot licence can be issued without first holding a PPL(A) or equivalent. If there is any chance your ambitions extend beyond recreational flying, the PPL(A) is the only logical starting point.

Training requirements

The PPL(A) training programme is defined by EASA Part-FCL and requires a minimum of 45 flight hours. In practice, most students at a quality flight school will complete 50–70 hours before reaching the standard required for the skill test. The training covers a well-structured progression from basic handling to cross-country navigation.

• —45 hours minimum total flight time - most students complete 55–70 hours in practice
• —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, Aircraft General Knowledge, Flight Performance, Navigation, Meteorology, Operational Procedures, Human Performance, Radio Navigation, and Communications
• —EASA Class 2 medical certificate from an Aviation 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: PPL(A) is recognised worldwide under ICAO (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 gateway to every advanced rating and professional licence (LAPL(A) is not)

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

Medical and currency 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. To maintain your PPL(A) currency, you must complete a biennial flight review with a qualified instructor and log a minimum of 12 hours of flight time per 24-month period, including at least 12 take-offs and landings. Currency requirements ensure that every active PPL(A) holder maintains a genuine standard of flying proficiency.

The PPL(A) opens every door in aviation. Whether you fly for pleasure or plan a career, it all starts here.

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, more doors open, and the knowledge that your licence is recognised everywhere you might ever want to fly. At alpaviation, our PPL(A) graduates train to a standard that stands up in any cockpit, in any country.

The PPL(A) is not merely a regulatory requirement - it is a mark of genuine aeronautical competence. When you hold a PPL(A), you have proven that you can plan, execute, and command a flight safely under visual conditions, anywhere in the world. That capability is the foundation everything else in aviation is built upon. Ready to begin? We can show you exactly what the path looks like from here.