LAPL(A) – the European entry-level licence

The LAPL(A) is the European entry point with the lowest minimum hours. It costs less time than a PPL – but its privileges are clearly bounded and it uses a different model for staying current.

Applicability: European Union (EASA framework); issued and overseen by the competent national authority – in Germany the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt or the aviation authorities of the Länder
Rulemaking authority: Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, Annex I (Part-FCL)
Reviewed by NorthTrack on: 2026-09-13

Privileges

The privileges are to act as pilot in command on single-engine piston aeroplanes (land or sea) or TMG with a maximum certificated take-off mass of 2,000 kg or less, carrying no more than three passengers, such that there are never more than four persons on board (FCL.105.A as amended by M20).

The passenger rule
Passengers may not be carried until 10 hours of flight time as pilot in command on aeroplanes or TMG have been completed after licence issue (FCL.105.A(b)). Anyone who previously held an ATPL(A), MPL(A), CPL(A) or PPL(A) is exempt.

Abbreviations on this page

LAPL — Light aircraft pilot licence
The European entry-level licence; refresher requirements instead of a class rating revalidation.
PPL — Private pilot licence
The basis for night flying, instrument flying and further classes.
SEP — Single-engine piston
The class rating most of general aviation flies on.
TMG — Touring motor glider
Counts alongside aeroplanes for both LAPL and PPL.
MTOM — Maximum take-off mass
Limits, for example, LAPL(A) privileges to 2,000 kg and the German UL class.
ATPL — Airline transport pilot licence
The highest level of licence; requires 1,500 hours of flight time.
CPL — Commercial pilot licence
The professional licence.

Minimum flight experience

Total flight instruction on aeroplanes or TMG — 30 hours
of which dual in the class in which the skill test is taken — at least 15 hours
of which supervised solo flight time — at least 6 hours
of which solo cross-country flight time — at least 3 hours
including one cross-country flight of at least — 150 km (80 NM) with a full-stop landing at an aerodrome other than the aerodrome of departure

FCL.110.A(a).

Prior experience as pilot in command may be credited. The extent is decided by the training organisation on the basis of an entry assessment. The credit may not exceed actual PIC time, may amount to no more than 50 % of the hours required, and may not replace the solo requirements (FCL.110.A(c) as amended by M20).

The key difference from the PPL: staying current

The PPL works with class ratings that are revalidated. The LAPL(A) instead uses a rolling recency requirement. The privileges may only be exercised if, within the preceding 2 years, one of the following has been met (FCL.140.A):

at least 12 hours of flight time as pilot in command, or dual or supervised solo with an instructor, including 12 take-offs and landings and refresher training of at least 1 hour total flight time with an instructor who selects the exercises; or
a passed proficiency check for the LAPL(A) with an examiner.

Holders of both landplane and seaplane privileges may meet the requirement in one class or across both; in that case at least 1 hour and 6 of the 12 take-offs and landings must be completed in each class. All dual flights, supervised flights, the refresher training and the proficiency check are to be entered in the logbook and signed by the instructor or examiner.

No expiry date, but a condition
The LAPL does not expire – but the privileges lapse as soon as the condition is no longer met. Meet it again and you may fly again; no licence "renewal" is needed for that.

LAPL or PPL?

Minimum flight instruction
LAPL(A): 30 hours · PPL(A): 45 hours
Solo cross-country
LAPL(A): at least 3 hours, one flight of 150 km (80 NM) or more · PPL(A): at least 5 hours, one flight of 270 km (150 NM) or more
Aircraft
LAPL(A): single-engine piston aeroplanes or TMG up to 2,000 kg MTOM · PPL(A): aeroplanes and TMG according to the class/type ratings held
Persons on board
LAPL(A): no more than 4 · PPL(A): per the type certificate
Medical
LAPL(A): LAPL medical certificate · PPL(A): at least Class 2
Staying current
LAPL(A): recency within 24 months · PPL(A): class rating revalidation
Building towards IR/BIR
LAPL(A): not directly – the BIR requires at least a PPL(A) · PPL(A): yes

A LAPL(A) can later be built up into a PPL(A), with the training already completed being credited. The details are on the PPL(A) page.

What is not on this page
This page states the regulatory minimum requirements. What a course of training actually involves depends on the training organisation, the aircraft type, your previous licensing history and national implementation. In practice the number of hours actually needed is regularly above the minimum. The binding information is that given by the competent authority and by the training organisation you choose.

Official sources

European Commission / EASA: Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 (Annex I "Part-FCL", Annex IV "Part-MED") – Consolidated version 02011R1178-20260430. Open source (retrieved 2026-09-13)
DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH: Aeronautical Information Publication Germany – AIP VFR, GEN 2-1 to GEN 2-7 "Abkürzungen / Abbreviations" (bilingual German/English) – Effective 20 AUG 2026. Open source (retrieved 2026-09-13)