How licences are categorised
Professional licences and general aviation licences
Licences can either be for professional flying or for general aviation. If you have a professional licence, you can be paid for flying and fly in commercial operations (such as an airline flight). General aviation licences are for recreational flying only and you aren't allowed to be paid for any flying you do using one, apart from some flight instructor work.
In the UK system, the general aviation licences are the light aircraft pilot licence (LAPL), the private pilot licence (PPL), the sailplane pilot licence (SPL) and balloon pilot licence (BPL). The professional licences are the commercial pilot licence (CPL), Multi pilot licence (MPL) and airline pilot licence (ATPL).
Aircraft category
Each type of licence is available in different aircraft categories. The categories of aircraft are:
- aeroplanes
- helicopters
- airships
- sailplanes
- balloons
- gyroplanes
More information on Part 21 and non-Part 21 aircraft
ICAOs and non-ICAO licences
Licences can be categorised whether or not they comply with international rules from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Licences that do comply are known as ICAO licences and those that do not are known as sub-ICAO licences. Sub-ICAO licences are not fully recognised internationally, and therefore are only valid for use within the UK, for examiner, the NPPL is only valid in the UK.
Source of UK licence requirements
The Basic Regulation defines what aircraft and aerial activities fall within the remit of UK legislation. The Aircrew Regulation sets out the detailed requirements for applying for UK flight crew licences.
The Balloon Regulation sets out the detailed requirements for applying for a Balloon licence.
The Sailplane Regulation sets out the detailed requirements for applying for a Sailplane licence.
The Air Navigation sets of the detailed requirements for applying for national licences and privileges.