The minimum age to get a Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) (A) is 17 and you will need to hold a Part MED LAPL Medical Certificate.
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The privileges of the holder of a LAPL for aeroplanes are to act as Pilot in Command (PIC) on single-engine piston aeroplanes-land (SEP (land)), single-engine piston aeroplanes-sea (SEP(sea)) or TMG with a maximum certificated take-off mass of 2000 kg or less, carrying a maximum of 3 passengers, such that there are always a maximum of 4 persons on board of the aircraft. Your privileges will be limited to the type and class of aircraft you take your skill test in, unless you complete additional training.
Training
You must complete a training course at an UK approved training organisation (ATO) or declared training organisation (DTO).
Theoretical knowledge examinations
As part of the application for a LAPL, 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 theoretical knowledge e-exams for the LAPL and PPL.
All of the theoretical knowledge examinations need to be passed within an 18-month period.
Once you have successfully passed all of the theoretical knowledge exams for the issue the licence, they are valid for 24 months. Application to the CAA for issue of the licence must be made before the expiry of the exams.
You must complete the flight training and pass the skill test with the 24-month exam validity period, otherwise they will expire, and you will have to retake all of them.
If you have any questions about examination validity, please discuss with your training organisation.
Theoretical knowledge crediting when applying for a LAPL in another aircraft
If you have passed the theoretical knowledge examinations for a pilot’s licence in another category of aircraft, you are entitled to a credit towards gaining a licence in another category. If you have passed the theoretical knowledge examinations for a professional licence in the same category of aircraft, you will be credited with the theoretical knowledge requirements for a LAPL. For more details on exams credits, please discuss with your training organisation.
Flight training requirements
For a LAPL(A) you must complete at least;
- 30 hours of flight instruction on aeroplanes or TMGs, which needs to include at least;
- 15 hours of dual flight instruction in the same class of aircraft as the test will be taken in.
6 hours of supervised solo flight time, this needs to include at least 3 hours of solo cross country flight time with at least 1 cross country flight of at least 80nm (150km), during which a full stop landing was made at an aerodrome different to the aerodrome of departure.
Credits towards the flight training requirements are available for holders of licences issued by us in other categories of aircraft. For more information on crediting please discuss with your training organisation.
Skill Test
At the end of your training, you will need to take a skill test with an 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.
How do I apply?
To apply for the issue of a UK Part-FCL LAPL please complete Online application form SRG1105.
How much does it cost?
The in Scheme of Charges (Personnel Licensing) advises on our licensing fees and costs.
An additional fee applies if you would like your documents returned by secure courier.
What do I need to send with my application?
When applying for the LAPL 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 to confirm your theoretical knowledge examinations.
Please also state the reason for your exemption on the certificate).
- Skill Test report form ( SRG2127).
- A certified copy of your logbook pages showing your LAPL flight training experience.
- A certified copy of either your passport (preferred) or Full UK Photographic Driving Licence.
Please note we will not be able to assess your application unless the uploaded documents have been correctly certified.
What else do I need to know?
UK Military Pilots
Please refer to the Military Aircrew Accreditation Scheme (MAAS) (CAP2254) for credits available to EFTG and QMP(A)’s regarding the credits available towards the issue of a LAPL(A).
Additional documentation
If you are applying on the basis of UK military service, a third-country ICAO licence, you will be asked to upload additional documentation with your online application.
If you are applying for any pilot licence under the MAAS 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 SRG 2133
- Certified copies of the following logbook pages:
- the Special Qualifications page
- the last few pages of your military flying logbook
- How to get copies of your documents certified.
- 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 and so on.)
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 our guidance on documentation.
How long will it take for my application to be processed?
Our service levels are 10 working days for the assessment all application types. Where an application is pended, the working days to process the application will be counted from the date of receipt of the requested additional information.
For a small number of applications, a licensing officer may require additional guidance which requires a referral to be made to a technical officer. The technical officer will review the case within 5 working days, however if further advice is needed this will be reviewed at a bi-weekly complex case review session. In such cases therefore, the application will take longer to process than our standard turnaround times.
Our complaints process offers further guidance if you are dissatisfied by the service provided to you by us and you wish to raise a complaint.
What happens next?
Your application will undergo a desk-based assessment from a Flight Crew Licensing Officer. Following an acceptable assessment your licence will be processed, signed and despatched.
We will contact you in writing if we have any queries regarding your application and may keep your application pending while the additional requirements are met. Please note that applications will only be pended for 30 days before cancellation, where no response is received.
An assessment and fee may be charged if we reject your application for not meeting all requirements. This will also be applied if you choose to cancel your application. This is to cover the work undertaken by us to assess or handle your application.
All underpaid postage fees are recovered before your new licence can be issued.
How long is it valid for?
The licence does not expire.
The licence does not expire but is kept current through maintenance of the associated flying and medical privileges.
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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