FLYING
IN THE EU:
PILOT LICENCES
& RATINGS
For General Aviation
Microlight aircraft
National requirements apply.
Light aircraft Pilot
Licence (LAPL)
What you need:
Around 100 hours of theory and 25 hours of flight instruction
Medical Class 2 or LAPL medical as defined in Part-MED (MED.A.030).
What can you do with LAPL?
An LAPL for these categories of aircraft - A: aeroplane, B: balloon, H: helicopter or S: sailplane – can be used for flying anywhere in Europe. For
aeroplanes the licence is limited to single engine piston up to 2,000kg
carrying up to 4 persons on board (including yourself – the pilot). You
can only fly in good weather conditions (VFR visual flight rules). For
other types of aircraft please check (Part-FCL, Subpart B)
What you need as a minimum to keep it?
Once a year, at least one training flight with an instructor and a medical validation every 5 years or less, depending on your age. Within
a period of 24 months complete 12 flight hours. No involvement of the
competent authority, only proof is the flight log.
2
Private Pilot Licence
(PPL)
What you need:
Around 100 hours of theory and 45 hours of flight instruction
If you already have a LAPL: You get credit for the theory which can reduce the hours of theory to as low as no training and examination at all.
(Appendix 1 to Part-FCL).
What can you do with a PPL?
You are only limited by the category of aircraft you are licensed to fly
(A: aeroplane, B: balloon, H: helicopters or S: sailplanes). You can fly with
this licence in an aircraft anywhere in the world. All flights must be done
in good weather conditions (otherwise you need an instrument rating, see
below). The restriction is that the purpose should be non-commercial (i.e.
non-remuneration or hire).
What you need as a minimum to keep it?
Depending on your class rating (e.g. piston engine aircraft) you need to
complete at least 12 flight hours within the last 12 months and every
2 years take 1 training flight or pass a proficiency check.
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Night Rating
Once you have a LAPL, PPL or SPL you can further extend your capabilities
to fly at night. You can undertake such flights only under VFR.
What you need:
5 hours of theory and 5 hours of flight training.
If any IR is to be used during night, a night rating must be held.
En-Route Instrument
Rating
This rating allows you to fly in instrument meteorological conditions
en-route to your destinations. Weather conditions must be good at departure and arrival airport. This rating can be useful for example in cases where en-route the weather conditions give limited visibility or the
route might take you above the cloud base. This is a rating that will give
you the opportunity to fly even if the weather is bad. It will also give
you a good initial understanding of flying under IFR and may at a later
stage be used to upgrade to a full Instrument Rating (IR).
What you need:
Theory training of 80 hours and 15 hours of practical training.
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Instrument Rating
(IR)
With an IR you can fly under IFR during take-off, en-route and landing.
What you need:
Requirements differ for a single engine and a multi-engine aircraft.
You will need to complete 200 hours of theory and at least 50 hours (single
engine) or 55 hours (multi-engine) flight training.
CB-IR- Competence Based Instrument Rating:
This applies specifically to those who have an Instrument Rating issued by
a third country. It reduces the requirements of obtaining an Instrument
Rating to at least 80 hours of theory and 40 hours of flight training.
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Converting an
existing licence
If you hold a Private Pilot Licence obtained outside Europe, you can convert it to an European one. In order to do this you will need to pass an
exam on Air Law and another exam on Human Performance. You also need
to undertake a skill test and have at least 100 hours as a pilot in the relevant aircraft category.
European Aviation Safety Agency
Ottoplatz, 1
D-50679 Cologne, Germany
easa.europa.eu/ga
An Agency of the European Union
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