Private Pilots Licence (PPL) / National Private Pilots Licence (NPPL) Training


The UK Civil Aviation Authority syllabus for PPL training consists of Nine subjects (not including the FRTOL). Five of these are common to fixed wing and helicopter pilots:


And 4 are specific to either fixed wing or helicopter aircraft category:


There is no prescribed sequence for the courses, although the generally recommended approach is:


  • before solo flight :  Air Law and Communications*
  • before solo cross-country : Operational Procedures, Meteorology and Navigation
  • before skills test : Flight Planning & Performance, Aircraft General Knowledge, Principles of Flight and Human Performance


*Communications must also be completed successfully before attempting the FRTOL practical examination.


The time required to complete the 9 courses and successfully pass the examinations depends on student experience, the amount of preparation undertaken, and the aircraft category (syllabi for helicopter subjects are typically more extensive than the fixed-wing equivalents). As a guide, we recommend that students should allow a total of 7 to 10 days (not usually in a single block!).


Some Ground schools believe it is possible to learn 9 subjects to a suitable level of expertise to pass the exams (and more importantly, become a competent and safe pilot) within Five days with no prior self study and no previous flying experience. We don't !


With the demise of the Light Aircraft Pilots Licence in October 2025, a route to upgrade a NPPL to PPL has been provided. This requires passes in the following examinations: