A Private Pilot Licence/License (PPL) or, in the United States of America, a Private Pilot Certificate, is a licence that permits the holder to act as the pilot of an aircraft privately, (not for pay). The requirements to obtain the license are determined by the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO), but the actual implementation varies widely from country to country. According to the ICAO, it is obtained by successfully completing a course with at least 40 hours (45 in the UK and Spain) of flight time, passing a written exam, completing an extensive solo cross country flight (minimum solo flight time is 10 hours), and successfully demonstrating flying skills to an examiner during a flight test or checkride (including an oral exam). In the US pilots can be trained under Title 14 of federal code part 141 which allows them to apply for their certificate in as little as 35 hours. However, most pilots require 60-70 hours to complete training.[1] The typical minimum age for a Private Pilot Certificate is 17, although other types of certifications differ in minimum age requirements.[2]
Different types of PPLs are issued for the major categories of aircraft — powered aeroplanes (with limitations for single or multi-engine and land or sea), gliders, rotorcraft (helicopters and gyroplanes), balloons, airships. It is possible to obtain a PPL for, e.g., rotorcraft or airships, without first — or ever — obtaining a rating for a fixed-wing aircraft.
A PPL is issued either according to the FAA (American certification) or JAA (European licence) regulations. Each organization has different requirements. Insurance rates for private pilots are lower than those of sport or recreational pilots, because private pilots are trained to a higher degree.
A licence will contain a number of sub-qualifications or ratings. These specify in more detail the actual privileges of the license, including the types of aircraft that can be flown, whether flight under Instrument Flight Rules and at night is allowed, and whether instructing and examining of trainee pilots is authorized.
In addition, a number of endorsements are available for specific skills (additional requirements apply):
- Instrument Rating (IR)
- Multi-Engine
- Piston/Turbine
- Design features: Tail wheel, Retractable Undercarriage, Float-Plane, etc.
- Aerobatics, spins, formation flying, etc.
- Agricultural, stock-mustering, etc.
In the United States of America the licence is issued listing as many categories (such as airplane or glider), then listing classes (such as multi-engine land), and, when applicable, type ratings (for example, Boeing 747) as the applicant is qualified to fly. Generally endorsements, such as tail wheel, are only made in the pilot's logbook by a qualified instructor. However, limitations, such as "Hot Air Balloon--Airborne Heater Only" (as opposed to a gas balloon) will appear on the license. It is also possible to have private pilot privileges on a commercial pilot's licence. For example, a person could hold a license that said, "commercial pilot, airplane, single-engine land, single-engine sea, instrument airplane, private privileges glider."
References
See also
External links
- Be A Pilot program
- Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association
- International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA]
- FAA Registry: Airmen Certification Inquiry
- Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Airplane (FAA, August 2002)
- Computer Testing Supplement for Recreational Pilot and Private Pilot (FAA, 2004)
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