If anyone can get wings and fly to the top of the sky, he will at last understand the world in which he lives.
Socrates
A new formation close to PPL…
The Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) is a new form of training recently created by the EU. It appears to be very much like the Private Pilot Licence (PPL). We encourage you to read the section on PPL if you haven’t already read it.
As with the PPL, the LAPL offers the possibility of flying a light aircraft in France and in Europe, to travel and to carry passengers.
… but cheaper
The objective of the LAPL is to be able to offer almost the same privileges to a new pilot as a PPL, but with a shorter training (and therefore cheaper). In effect, the number of flying hours required to qualify is 30hrs as opposed to 45hrs for a PPL.
Comparison LAPL/PPL
The two licences are similar but have subtilities which distinguish them. Here is a table which will help you better understand them.
| LAPL | PPL | |
| Priviliges | ||
| Area of validity | The EU plus Switzerland | The whole world |
| Types of aircraft | Single engined, piston, of less than 2t | No limitation |
| Passengers | Maximum of 3, after 10hrs solo | No limitation |
| Instrument flying (IFR) | Not possible | Qualification available |
| Requirements | ||
| To start the training | Any age | Any age |
| First solo flight | Age 16 | Age 16 |
| To take the test | Age 17 | Age 17 |
| Medical fitness | For LAPL | Class 2 |
| Medical examination validity | 5 years less than age 40, limited to age 42 2 years over 40 |
5 years less than age 40, limited to age 42 2 years from 40 to 50, limited to 51. 1 year aged over 50. |
| Training | ||
| Theoretical | 2 tests (120 Multi-choice questions) 75% pass necessary in each test |
2 tests (120 Multi-choice questions) 75% pass necessary in each test |
| Minimum number of flying hours | 30 | 45 |
| with an instructor | 15 | 25 |
| solo | 6 | 10 |
| including solo cross-country | 3h, to include a flight of 80 NM | 5h, to include a flight of 150 NM |
| Recent flying experience required after obtaining the licence | ||
| Flying hours | 12h in the preceeding 24 months (sliding) | 12hrs in the 12 months preceeding the end of validity of the class qualification |
| With an instructor | and 1hr in the preceeding 24 months (sliding) | 1hr with an instructor |
| Minimum budget | ||
| On F-GMKG | €3,900 | €5,600 |
| Sur F-GZYA ou F-HBAV | €4,600 | €6,700 |
Contact
You are interested in learning to fly? Have you any questions?
For any information, please contact us HERE