Light aircraft pilot license

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The lightweight aircraft pilot license ( LAPL , English light aircraft pilot license ) is a EASA -compliant pilot license for non-commercial fly from light aircraft (LAPL (A)), helicopters (LAPL (H)), gliders (LAPL (S)) and free balloons (LAPL (B)) entitled. Compared to the higher-quality private pilot license (PPL), the LAPL is easier to acquire and has lower requirements for the medical certificate , but the weight of the aircraft and the number of passengers are limited compared to the PPL. Contrary to the private pilot's license, the LAPL does not conform to the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is why a LAPL is not recognized outside of the EASA member states and can therefore not be used outside of the EASA member states.

Training and exam

Student pilots must take a theory and practical test to receive the license. They must be at least 17 years old when taking the test, and at least 16 years for balloons and gliders. The following content is tested in theory:

In the practical test, the trainee pilot must prove that he has mastered the necessary procedures and maneuvers in the selected aircraft category. The license is valid indefinitely.

Aircraft categories

LAPL for aircraft - LAPL (A)

The LAPL for aircraft entitles the pilot in charge to operate single-engine aircraft with piston engines (SEP) or touring motor gliders (TMG) with a maximum of 2,000 kg and three passengers in non-commercial operations. Passengers may only be carried if they have flown ten hours as the pilot in command after receiving the license. The license is limited to visual flight and cannot be extended to instrument flight .

For the practical test, at least 30 hours must be flown on single-engine aircraft or touring motor gliders, of which at least:

  • 15 hours of training with a flight instructor
  • 6 hours solo flight with flight assignment, including at least three hours overland flight. A cross-country flight must be at least 150 km and must include a landing at an airport other than the take-off airport.

The practical test takes place for aircraft or touring motor gliders, whereby the license is then valid for aircraft or touring motor gliders. The restriction can be lifted as part of a three-hour additional training course followed by an oral and practical examination.

If a different aircraft series is flown, the pilot has to familiarize himself with the new aircraft type or he attends a difference training. The difference training must be entered in the flight log and signed by the flight instructor.

In order to be able to exercise the rights as a responsible pilot, the validity of the pilot license alone is not sufficient. In addition, the pilot must meet the following requirements:

  • A valid Medical Certificate for LAPL
  • A radiotelephone certificate , if not part of the training and examination
  • Proof of at least 12 hours of flight time, including 12 take-offs and landings, as the pilot-in-command and a refresher training by a flight instructor in the last 24 months. This can be replaced by a test flight with an authorized person within the last 24 months.
  • Valid proof of language skills for air drivers

LAPL for helicopters - LAPL (H)

The LAPL for helicopters entitles the pilot in charge to operate single-engine helicopters with a maximum of 2,000 kg and three passengers in non-commercial operations.

For the practical test, at least 40 hours must be flown in a helicopter, of which at least:

  • 20 hours of training with a flight instructor
  • 10 hours solo flight with flight assignment, including at least five hours overland flight. A cross-country flight must be at least 150 km and must include a landing at an airport other than the take-off airport.

The license is then valid for helicopters of the type and series on which the training takes place. The restriction to the sample can be lifted within the framework of a five-hour additional training course followed by an oral and practical examination.

In order to be able to exercise the rights as a responsible helicopter pilot, the validity of the pilot license alone is not sufficient. In addition, the pilot must meet the following requirements:

  • A valid Medical Certificate for LAPL
  • A radiotelephone certificate, if not part of the training and examination
  • Proof of at least 6 hours of flight time, including 6 take-offs and landings, as pilot-in-command and a refresher course by a flight instructor in the last 12 months. This can be replaced by an examination flight with an authorized examiner in the last 12 months.
  • Valid proof of language skills for air drivers

LAPL for gliders - LAPL (S)

The LAPL for sailplanes entitles the responsible pilot to operate sailplanes or motor gliders (TMG) in non-commercial operations.

For the practical test, at least 15 hours must be flown on gliders or motor gliders, of which at least:

  • 10 hours of training with a flight instructor
  • 2 hours solo flight with flight assignment
  • 45 take-offs and landings
  • An overland flight alone over 50 km or with a flight instructor over 100 km.
  • A maximum of 7 hours of the 15 hours may be completed on the motor sailer.

The license is then valid for the start type on which the practical test takes place. For other start types must

  • for winch and vehicle take-offs 10 take-offs with a flight instructor and 5 in solo flight,
  • in the case of aircraft towing or self launch, 5 take-offs with a flight instructor and 5 alone
  • with elastic rope 3 starts can be completed with a flight instructor or alone under the supervision of the flight instructor.

Six hours of additional training must be completed to expand the rights to drive a motor glider:

  • 4 hours of training with a flight instructor
  • Conduct a cross-country flight alone over at least 150 km and include a landing on a different airport than the take-off airport
  • Oral and practical exam

In order to be able to exercise the rights as a responsible sailplane pilot, the validity of the pilot license alone is not sufficient. In addition, the pilot must meet the following requirements:

  • A valid Medical Certificate for LAPL
  • Proof of at least 5 hours of flight time, including 15 take-offs, as pilot-in-command and one two flights with a flight instructor in the last 24 months.

For the exercise of the rights as a motor glider pilot apply:

  • A valid Medical Certificate for LAPL
  • Proof of at least 12 hours of flight time, including 12 take-offs and landings, and refresher training by a flight instructor in the past 24 months. The flight times on motor gliders can be replaced by flights on a light aircraft by holders of a LAPL (A).

LAPL for balloons - LAPL (B)

The LAPL for balloon permits the use of hot air balloons and hot air airships with a maximum envelope volume of 3,400 m³ and gas balloons with an envelope volume of up to 1,260 m³. The license is limited to non-commercial operations with up to three passengers.

For the practical test, at least 16 hours must be driven on the desired balloon class, of which at least:

  • 12 hours of driver training with an instructor
  • 10 balloon fillings and 20 take-offs and landings
  • A solo flight with a flight assignment of 30 minutes

The license is valid for free balloons . To upgrade to tethered balloons , three tethered ascents are necessary for training purposes.

To extend the rights to lead another balloon class, 5 training flights must be completed with an instructor. With hot-air airships it is five hours of additional training. There is also an oral and practical exam in the additional balloon class.

In order to be able to exercise the rights as a responsible balloon operator, the validity of the license alone is not sufficient. In addition, the balloon pilot must meet the following requirements:

  • A valid Medical Certificate for LAPL
  • A radiotelephone certificate, if not part of the training and examination
  • Valid proof of language skills for air drivers
  • Proof of at least 6 hours of flight time, including 10 take-offs and landings, as the balloon pilot in charge and a training trip with an instructor in the last 24 months. Evidence of 3 hours and 3 take-offs and landings is required for each further balloon class.

Implementation in EASA member states

Germany

In Germany, the license for light aircraft pilot license is issued and administered by the state aviation authorities . As a German specialty within the European Union there is a background check for LAPL pilots according to § 7 Aviation Security Act . For verification purposes, the aviation security authorities may obtain information from the police enforcement and constitutional protection authorities, the Federal Criminal Police Office , the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution , the Federal Intelligence Service , the military counterintelligence service , the Customs Criminal Police Office , the Federal Commissioner for the documents of the State Security Service of the former GDR and the Federal Central Register . Only pilots of gliders are excluded.

Austria

Austro Control, a federal enterprise of the Republic of Austria organized as a GmbH , took over the task of aviation agency in 1993 and is responsible for the issuing of pilot's licenses and the supervision of the civil aviation schools.

Additional authorizations

You can acquire numerous additional authorizations. For example for:

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e VO (EU) 1178/2011
  2. ↑ State Administration Office Saxony-Anhalt: Validity of licenses for pilots - LAPL (A) and PPL (A). Retrieved August 19, 2019 .
  3. ^ Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg Authority for Economy, Transport and Innovation: Information sheet Segelflug – LAPL (S) and SPL. Retrieved August 20, 2019 .