Procedure descriptions
Apply for a private pilot licence
A private pilot licence (PPL) entitles the holder to fly according to visual flight rules and for private purposes.
Commercial flights are not permitted with this licence.
A distinction is made between the following private pilot licences
- Permit to fly powered aircraft PPL (A) (aeroplane), issued in accordance with the regulations of Part-FCL,
- Authorisation to fly single-engine piston-powered land aircraft up to a maximum take-off mass of 2,000 kg or touring motor gliders LAPL (A) in accordance with the regulations of Part-FCL
- Authorisation to fly helicopters PPL (H), issued in accordance with the regulations of Part-FCL,
- Authorisation to fly single-engine helicopters up to a maximum take-off mass of 2,000 kg LAPL (H) in accordance with the regulations of Part-FCL
- Authorisation to fly free balloons BPL, issued in accordance with the regulations of the BFCL and
- Authorisation to fly gliders SPL, issued in accordance with the regulations of the SFCL
The licences PPL, SPL and BPL in accordance with Part FCL, SFCL and BFCL are issued in accordance with ICAO guidelines, are valid worldwide and may include ratings for different aircraft classes/types.
The licence for light aircraft pilots LAPL, for example, is valid for aircraft up to 2,000 kilograms maximum take-off weight and is not issued in accordance with ICAO guidelines.
The following information refers to the licence for private pilots (aircraft) PPL (A) in accordance with Part-FCL.
Responsible department
the Stuttgart Regional Council for the whole of Baden-Württemberg
Details
Prerequisite
- Minimum age: 16 years for first solo flight, 17 years for licence acquisition
- medical certificate class II
- Theory lessons
- Flight training: at least 45 hours, including at least 10 solo flight hours
- Acquisition of practical radiotelephony skills (e.g. BZF)
- Reliability according to § 4 Aviation Act and § 7 Aviation Security Act
Procedure
Register for training at a flying school or club of your choice. There you can complete the theoretical and practical training required for the test.
Plan a period of three months to two years.
After completing the theoretical training, you must take a theoretical examination before the aviation authority in the following subjects:
- Aviation law
- Navigation
- Meteorology
- general aeronautical knowledge
- Fundamentals of flying
- human performance
- Flight performance/flight planning
- Communication
- operational procedures
The practical examination can only be taken after the theoretical examination has been passed and the practical training has been completed. The flight school must confirm that the candidate is ready for the examination and send the application for the examination. In the practical flight test, the candidate must demonstrate during a flight under the supervision of an examiner that he or she
- has acquired the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills required to fly the aircraft safely and
- can apply these correctly under normal and special conditions.
The licence is then sent by post and is valid indefinitely. Some ratings entered on the licence (e.g. night flying) are also valid indefinitely, while other ratings, such as a class rating for single-engine piston-powered land aircraft (SEP), are generally valid for 24 months.
Deadlines
The practical test must be taken no later than 24 months after passing the theory test.
Required documents
As a rule, you will need the following documents to register with a flying school or club:
- Passport photo
- Copy of your identity card or passport
- Copy of the medical certificate corresponding to the licence you are applying for
- Result of the background check in accordance with § 7 of the Aviation Security Act (only for motorised aircraft)
- Certificate of good conduct document type 0 (for glider and balloon licences)
- Extract from the driving aptitude register
Costs
The costs depend on
- which organisation you start your private pilot licence with,
- the type of aircraft for which you wish to obtain your licence and
- whether you go to a commercial flying school or a club.
Processing time
The licence can be issued once all the necessary documents, requirements and examinations have been passed.
Miscellaneous
The licences for commercial and professional pilots as well as the licences for air sports equipment operators (ultralight aircraft, hang gliders, paragliders and parachutists) are not the responsibility of the state aviation authorities (regional councils). In this case, the Federal Aviation Office is responsible for commercial/professional pilots and the air sports associations for pilots of air sports equipment.
Legal basis
Luftverkehrsgesetz (LuftVG)
- § 4 Erlaubnis für Luftfahrer
Luftsicherheitsgesetz (LuftSiG)
- § 7 Zuverlässigkeitsüberprüfungen
Verordnung über Luftfahrtpersonal (LuftPersV)
EU(VO) Nr. 1178/2011
EU(VO) Nr. 2018/395
EU(VO) Nr. 2018/1976
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: 22.07.2024 Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart