Private Pilots Licence (PPL)

A private pilot licence (PPL) is a  licence that allows a holder to pilot an aircraft as pilot-in-command or co-pilot when the aircraft is being operated in a private operation or the holder is receiving flying training.

How to get a Private Pilots Licence (PPL)?

You must be at least 17 years old to get your PPL. You also need to do the following for the category rating you want to get with your PPL:

• Learn the theory
• Complete flight training at a CASR Part 141 or 142 training organisation
• Pass a PPL theory exam
• Meet the minimum aeronautical experience requirements
• Pass a PPL flight test for the  licence and category rating

These requirements have to be met for each additional category rating you apply for once you have your PPL.

What involves in PPL theory?

The theory syllabus for the PPL includes subjects such as flight rules and air law, aerodynamics, meteorology, navigation, flight planning, power plants, aircraft systems and other relevant subjects. You can study the theory yourself if you have a self-learning course or you can attend classes at a flying school. Contact a flying school to work out what is the best way for you to complete the theory training for the PPL. Each category rating PPL exam covers all of the subjects and the aeronautical knowledge standards that are prescribed in Schedule 1 of the Part 61 Manual of Standards (MOS). The details of the knowledge standards for each unit are in Schedule 3 of the MOS.

Is there a PPL exam?

Yes. For each category rating there is a separate exam which covers the full theory syllabus that is relevant to that category rating for the PPL. More information about theory exams is available on the CASA website. Flying schools can also provide details about the theory and exams. 

What  is a integrated course?

An integrated training course is an approved program that combines ground theory with practical flight training in a structured course and is designed to be completed within a condensed period of time. Theory training is delivered in   parallel to the practical training as a planned integrated sequence. The benefit of integrated training is that the flying experience required is reduced compared to non  integrated training.

What are the medical requirements for a PPL?

You need to have an appropriate medical certificate (Class 2) to take the PPL flight test. When exercising the privileges of a PPL licence you can choose to fly with a Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate issued by CASA, or with a recreational aviation medical practitioner’s certificate (RAMPC). If you are using a RAMPC, you will be limited to flying recreational aircraft by day under the visual flight rules only. Other limitations apply when carrying more than one passenger and operating above 10 000 ft AGL. A Class 2 certificate is the ICAO standard for the PPL and is required if you want to fly overseas with your PPL. 

Refer to CASA’s Medical requirements for flight crew information sheet for more details

What flying experience do I need to get my PPL?

* means up to five hours of the minimum aeronautical experience can be in an approved flight simulation training device.

** means up to five hours of the minimum aeronautical experience can be in a flight simulation training device or as tethered flight time.

@ means the flight time can be in an aircraft of any category.

‘A’ means flight time must be in registered or recognised aeroplanes.

# means the flight time must include a flight of at least 150 nautical miles during which a full-stop landing is made at each of two aerodromes not within the flight training area for the aerodrome from which the flight began.

+ means the flight time must include a flight of at least 100 nautical miles during which a landing is made at each of two landing areas other than the one where the flight began.

^ means instrument time can be completed in a flight simulation training device or aircraft.

How do I maintain the privileges of my PPL?

To keep flying you need to have a current aircraft rating flight review. If you are flying aircraft covered by the single-engine aeroplane class rating, you need to have done a flight review in a single-engine, class-rated aircraft within the previous 24 months. If you fly both helicopters and aeroplanes, you need to have a separate flight review for each class of aircraft you fly. If you have a current multi-engine aeroplane class-rating flight review, you are authorised to fly single-engine aeroplanes. If you are carrying passengers, you also need to meet the recent experience requirements of three take-offs and landings within the previous 90 days. For more details about aircraft ratings and flight reviews refer to the following CASA information sheets: Aircraft ratings, Aircraft class ratings, Aircraft type ratings, Flight reviews and Proficiency checks.

Want to know more?

Visit www.casa.gov.au/licensingregs

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