LAPL(A) WITH CR SEP(LAND)

The cheapest way to enjoy flying with a small motorized aeroplane

The Light Aircraft Pilot Licence LAPL(A) with an endorsed Class Rating single-engine piston-powered aircraft SEP(Land) is aimed to anyone who

  • wants to enjoy piloting a single-engine aircraft in their free time in good weather
  • wants to enjoy the fun of flying, but has no intention of becoming a commercial pilot
  • wants to fly with friends and family
  • doesn’t want to jump through the hoops of gaining a full Class 2 Medical

The LAPL(A) is a slightly slimmed-down Private Pilot’s Licence PPL(A). The LAPL(A) does not make you any less a pilot than a PPL(A) holder. Both licences allow you to fly the majority of the popular single-engine aircraft such as our Cessna 172. The LAPL system was created by the European authorities to simplify and streamline private flying training across Europe. The LAPL(A) makes it easier and cheaper to acquire a pilot’s licence to fly single-engine piston-powered aircraft SEP(Land) with a maximum take-off weight of 2000 kg and a maximum of 4 seats. Our 4-seater Cessna 172, for example, has a maximum take-off weight of 1089 kg.

Advantages of the LAPL(A) compared to the PPL(A):

  • The LAPL(A) is cheaper to obtain than the PPL(A) because the minimum practical training time is only 30 hours (compared to 45 hours for the PPL(A)). However, the instructional content is exactly the same for the LAPL(A) and PPL(A).
  • The LAPL Medical Certificate is not as demanding as a Class 2 Medical Certificate required for a PPL(A)

Limitations of the LAPL(A) compared to the PPL(A):

  • You may add ratings for visual night flying, aerobatics and glider and banner towing,
  • but not a multi-engine rating or an instrument rating to an LAPL(A); these endorsements are required for a professional pilot.
  • The LAPL(A) is only valid in EASA-affiliated countries*

It is a straightforward course to convert an LAPL(A) to a PPL(A) at a later date if your ambitions or finances change.

* EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) member states are all EU Member States and additionally Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland

To train the student pilot to obtain a LAPL(A) licence to fly

  • as Pilot in Command (PIC) with passengers
  • on non-commercial flights
  • under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in day conditions
  • on Single-Engine Piston aeroplanes (Land) or touring motor gliders with a maximum certified take-off mass of 2,000 kg or less, carrying a max. of 3 passengers, such that there is always a maximum of 4 persons on board
  • by applying radio telephony in English
  • In EASA* countries.

* EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) member states are all EU Member States and additionally Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland

Before commencing the course:

There are no requirements that need to be met before you can begin your training. But before your first solo flight, you must

  • be at least 16 years of age
  • hold a current EASA Medical Certificate class LAPL or higher
  • have a current Radiotelephone Operator’s Certificate

Before application for LAPL(A):

  • you must be at least 17 years of age.
  • 100 hours Theory (90 hours web-based remote learning + 10 hours in classroom at our Graz-based training facility)
  • 30 hours Flight Training including 6 hours Solo Flying

See Timeline LAPL(A) [link to PDF]

See Costs LAPL(A) [link to PDF]