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 without remuneration as pilot in command (PIC) or co-pilot in non-commercial operations on helicopters and to exercise all privileges of holders of a LAPL(H).
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 and practical flight instruction.
Experience requirements
(a) Applicants for a PPL(H) shall have completed at least 45 hours of flight instruction on helicopters, 5 of which may have been completed in an FNPT or FFS, including at least:
(1) 25 hours of dual flight instruction; and
(2) 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), with full stop landings at 2 aerodromes different from the aerodrome of departure.
(3) 35 of the 45 hours of flight instruction have to be completed on the same type of helicopter as the one used for the skill test.
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.
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 refer to the following information.
Applicants with prior experience
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)
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.
How to Apply
To apply for the issue of a UK Part-FCL PPL, 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. 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), 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).
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
All credits relating to military can be found in the Military Aircrew Accreditation Scheme (MAAS) (CAP2254).
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 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 (including EASA) held with another country, you will need to apply for the verification of your third country ICAO licence.
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 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, 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
See our Licensing fees and costs (Full details available in Scheme of Charges (Personnel 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
There is 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, refer to guidance on documentation.
Accessibility
If you have a disability and require assistance with submitting your application online, contact our support team on 0330 022 1972 (Monday-Friday 08:30-16:30).
Contact us
If you have any questions contact our licensing team:
Email: fclweb@caa.co.uk (preferred)
Phone: 0330 022 1972 (Mon - Fri 08:30 - 16:30)