The minimum age to get a PPL is 17 and you will need to hold a Part MED Class 2 Medical Certificate.
A PPL for helicopters will allow you to act as pilot in command (PIC) or co-pilot in non-commercial operations on helicopters.
The exception to this is for holders of a PPL (H) with instructor or examiner privileges, who can be paid for the following:
- Flight instruction
- Conducting skill tests and proficiency checks for the LAPL (H) or PPL (H) and any associated ratings or certificates.
Training
You must complete a training course at an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) or Declared Training Organisation (DTO).
Contact a flight school near you
You will complete theoretical knowledge training and practical flight instruction.
Theoretical knowledge examinations
As part of the application for a private licence, you will need to take and pass exams in the following subject areas:
Common subjects
- Air law
- Human performance
- Meteorology
- Communications
- Navigation
Exams specific to the aircraft category
- Principles of flight
- Operational procedures
- Flight performance and planning
- Aircraft general knowledge
Validity of passed theoretical knowledge exams
You will need to set up a customer portal account to access Private Pilot Theoretical Knowledge e-Exams system.
If you successfully pass the theoretical exams for the issue of a private pilot's licence, they will be valid for 24 months for you to submit an application for the PPL issue.
This period is counted from the date you pass your last theoretical knowledge examination.
Within these 24 months you must complete the flight training and pass the skill test, otherwise these exams will expire, and you will have to retake them.
Please see FCL.025 for more information related to exam validity.
Theoretical knowledge crediting
If you have passed the theoretical knowledge examinations for an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) or for a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) in the same category of aircraft, you will be credited with the theoretical knowledge requirements for a Private Pilot Licence (PPL). (FCL.035.b.)
Flight instruction and crediting
If you don’t already hold a licence, you will need to complete 45 hours of flight instruction on helicopters, 5 hours of which may have been completed in an approved flight simulator (an FNPT or FFS) if your flying school has access to one, including at least:
- 25 hours of dual flight instruction.
- 10 hours of supervised solo flight time, including at least 5 hours of solo cross country flight time with at least 1 cross country flight of at least 185 km (100 NM) that includes 2 full stop landings at an aerodrome different from the departure aerodrome.
- If you are applying for a PPL(H) 35 of the 45 hours of flight instruction have to be completed on the same type of helicopter used for the skill test.
If you have previous experience that you believe may be used to reduce the amount of training required then please refer to the following information.
Applicants with prior experience as PIC
PPL(H) crediting if you hold a LAPL(H)
If you hold a LAPL (H), and are applying for a PPL (H) you must complete a course with a flight training school to include at least:
1. 5 hours of dual flight instruction,
2. At least 1 supervised solo cross-country flight, of at least 185km (100NM), plus full stop landings at 2 aerodromes different from the departure aerodrome.
PPL(H) crediting if you hold another type of licence
If you hold a pilot's licence for another type of aircraft, except balloons, you will be credited with 10% of your total flight time as PIC up to a maximum of 6 hours. You will still need to complete 10 hours of supervised solo flight time, including at least 5 hours of solo cross country flight time with at least 1 cross country flight of at least 185 km (100 NM) that includes full stop landings at 2 aerodromes different from the departure aerodrome and 25 hours dual flight instruction as credited flight time cannot be counted towards this requirement. (FCL.210.H)
Flight crediting if licence held in the same aircraft category
If you hold a LAPL (H), and are applying for a PPL (H) you must complete a course with a flight training school to include at least:
1. 5 hours of dual flight instruction,
2. At least 1 supervised solo cross-country flight, of at least 185km (100NM), plus full stop landings at 2 aerodromes different from the departure aerodrome.
Third country ICAO compliant licence holders
If you already hold an ICAO (including EASA) PPL(H) and wish to apply for a UK Part-FCL PPL(H), the following three routes are available.
Pilots who have previously held a UK issued helicopter licence
This route is for pilots who have previously held a UK issued PPL/CPL/ATPL helicopter licence that was surrendered, and now hold an EASA PPL(H) issued on or after 01 January 2021. Applying for a UK Part-FCL PPL(H) will not affect your EASA licence.
You will firstly need to decide which rating you would like to open your UK Part-FCL PPL(H) with (the price of the licence includes one rating).
If you held that same rating on your previous UK helicopter licence, you will need to pass a proficiency check on that rating with a UK Part-FCL Examiner. If the rating has expired on your EASA licence, you will need to meet the renewal requirements for the rating with a UK approved ATO/DTO before conducting the proficiency check.
If you did not previously hold that rating on your UK helicopter licence and the rating is still valid on your EASA licence, you will need to meet the transfer of helicopter class/type requirements as detailed in Article 10 of UK Regulation (EU) 2020/723. You will then be required to pass a skill test on that rating with a UK Part-FCL Examiner before you can submit your application.
If you did not previously hold that rating on your UK helicopter licence and it has expired on your EASA licence, you will need to meet the complete class/type rating requirements as detailed in Annex 1, partH Class and Type Ratings, of UK Regulation (EU) 1178/2011. You will then be required to pass a skill test on that rating with a UK Part-FCL Examiner before you can submit your application.
Pilots with 100 hours of flight time, who have not previously held a UK helicopter licence
This route is for holders of an ICAO/EASA PPL(H), issued before or after 1 January 2021, with 100 hours of flight time, who have not previously held a UK PPL(H).
You will need to pass the PPL theoretical knowledge examinations with the UK CAA in Air Law and Human Performance.
You will then need to decide which rating you would like to open your UK Part-FCL PPL(H) with (the price of the licence includes one rating).
If the rating you wish to use to open the licence is no longer current and valid on your ICAO licence, you will need to meet the renewal requirements for this rating with a UK approved ATO/DTO.
Finally, you will need to pass a PPL skill test with a UK Part-FCL Examiner before you can submit your application.
Pilots with less than 100 hours of flight time, who have not previously held a UK helicopter licence
This route is for holders of an ICAO/EASA PPL(H), issued before or after 1 January 2021, with less than 100 hours of flight time, who have not previously held a UK PPL(H).
You will need to undertake Part-FCL PPL theoretical knowledge instruction as determined by the Head of Training of a UK ATO/DTO and pass all UK Part-FCL theoretical knowledge examinations at PPL level.
You must also undertake flight training under instruction in an aircraft at a UK ATO/DTO to comply with the requirements of UK Part-FCL, as determined by a UK PPL training provider towards gaining a UK Part FCL PPL.
Finally, you will need to pass a PPL skill test with a UK Part-FCL Examiner before you can submit your application.
Skill Test
At the end of your training, you will need to take a skill test with a UK examiner in the relevant aircraft type to demonstrate that you can competently carry out the procedures and manoeuvres that you have been taught, while acting as pilot in command (PIC).
You must have had some flight instruction on the same aircraft type or class that you will be taking your skill test in. Generally, you will take the test in the same aircraft in which you have been trained.
In practice, you will not need to worry about making any bookings for a skill test yourself as this is something that your flying school will do for you when they feel that you are ready.
Your flying school will also need to ensure that the examiner meets the requirements for test notification and designation as set out in:
- IN 2016/004 (for UK examiners)
How to Apply
To apply for the issue of a UK Part-FCL PPL, please complete Online application form SRG1105.
If you wish to apply for a UK national PPL, you must submit your request in writing by email to fclweb@caa.co.uk (with the subject heading: 'National licence').
What documents to submit
When applying for the PPL issue online, you will be asked to upload the following documents:
- Online course completion certificate (CAA5016 or training organisation equivalent). Even if you are exempt from completing ground school/flying training, you must obtain a course completion certificate so that we can see your theoretical knowledge examinations. Please also state the reason for your exemption on the certificate.
- Skill Test report form SRG1172
- A copy of your logbook pages showing your PPL flying experience
- Proof of your ID (This can be a certified copy of your valid passport/full UK photographic driving licence, or a close up photo of you holding your ID in which your face and ID are clearly visible)
For more information on acceptable document formats (such as for logbooks or ID), please refer to Supporting documentation for private pilot licensing applications.
If you are applying for a Flight Radio Telephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) as part of your PPL application, you will also need to provide evidence of your English Language Proficiency level (CAA5003 or CAA5012 or CAA5016).
If you are applying for a Night Rating as part of your PPL application, you will also need to provide a copy of your medical certificate, logbook evidence showing your night rating flying experience, and a copy of your Night rating Course Completion Certificate (CAA5016, CAA5017 or training organisation equivalent).
Additional documentation
If you are applying on the basis of UK military service or a third-country ICAO licence you will be asked to upload additional documentation with your online application.
Using military service as the basis of your licence application
If you are applying for any pilot licence under the military accreditation scheme (MAS) based on your service as a pilot in the UK military, you will need to upload the following documents alongside those required for the licence application:
- Completed form SRG2133
- Copies of the following logbook pages:
- the Special Qualifications page
- the last few pages of your military flying logbook
Using third-country ICAO licence conversion as the basis of your application
If you are applying for your licence on the basis of an ICAO-compliant licence held with another country, you will need to apply for the verification of your third country ICAO licence.
Please follow the verification of a third country ICAO licence process and submit an online form SRG2142.
We recommend that the Third Country Verification is obtained prior to your PPL application as the turn-around of these applications is reliant on the response times of the NAA that has issued your ICAO licence.
Alternatively, you can submit these applications together but please note that the PPL application will be delayed as we must wait for the verification to be received before we can issue your PPL.
You will also need to supply additional documents as part of your application depending on the route you are using, please see below.
Pilots who have previously held a UK issued helicopter licence
When applying for the PPL issue online, you will be asked to upload the following additional documents:
- A copy of your non-UK EASA licence
- A copy of your logbook pages showing your hours and experience
- If the rating you wish to open your licence with was held on your previous UK licence, a copy of the examiner report form for the rating proficiency check. If the rating is no longer current on your EASA licence, you will also need to provide a copy of the course completion certificate for the rating renewal (SRG1107 or training organisation equivalent).
- If the rating was not held on your previous UK licence, a copy of the examiner report form for the rating skill test. If the rating is no longer current on your EASA licence, you will also need to provide a copy of the course completion certificate for the rating course (SRG1107 or training organisation equivalent).
Pilots with 100 hours of flight time, who have not previously held a UK helicopter licence
When applying for the PPL issue online, you will be asked to upload the following additional documents:
- A copy of your ICAO licence
- A copy of your logbook pages showing your hours and experience, including 100 hours of flight time in helicopters
- A copy of the PPL Skill Test report form SRG1172
- If the rating you wish to open your licence with has expired on your ICAO licence, a copy of the course completion certificate for the rating renewal (SRG1107 or training organisation equivalent)
Pilots with less than 100 hours of flight time, who have not previously held a UK helicopter licence
When applying for the PPL issue online, you will be asked to upload the following additional documents:
The Fee
Please see our Licensing fees and costs (Full details available in Scheme of Charges (Personell Licensing)).
An additional fee applies if you would like your documents returned by secure courier.
Making sure your documents are safely returned.
File size limit
Please note that there is currently a 50Mb size limit for files uploaded to our forms.
Guidance on documentation
All documents should be uploaded with a different filename clearly stating the content of the file attachment (for example Passport, Licence copy etc.)
Submitting documents with the same filename may result in the loss of information in the system and added delays to the application assessment.
For questions relating to paperwork, such as how to obtain certified copies of documents, please refer to guidance on documentation.
Accessibility
If you have a disability and require assistance with submitting your application online, please do not hesitate to contact our support team on 0330 022 1972 (Monday-Friday 08:30-16:30).
Contact us
If you have any questions please contact our licensing team:
Email: fclweb@caa.co.uk (preferred)
Phone: 0330 022 1972 (Mon - Fri 08:30 - 16:30)
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