Private Pilot License

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Private Pilot License Card from the United States
A Private Pilot License (PPL) or, in the United States, a Private Pilot Certificate, is a qualification that permits the holder to act as the pilot of an aircraft privately, i.e. not for remuneration. The basic requirements to obtain the license and the privileges it confers are agreed internationally by ICAO, however the actual implementation varies quite widely from country to country. According to ICAO, it is obtained by successfully completing a course of flight training of at least 40 hours duration (45 in the UK), passing a number of theory exams, and successfully demonstrating flying skills to an examiner during a flight test or checkride. The typical minimum age for a Private Pilot Certificate is 17 (though other types of certifications differ in age minimum)[1]
Different types of PPL are issued for the major categories of aircraft: powered airplanes/aeroplanes; gliders ; helicopters; gyroplanes; balloons; airships.
PPL is issued either according to the FAA (American licences) or JAA (European licences) regulations. Each organisation has different requirements, and one a PPL licence issued according by another regulator is only valid after application.
A license 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 can be done.
In addition, a number of endorsements are available for specific skills (additional requirements apply):
Night VFR
Instrument Flying (IFR)
Multi-Engine
Piston/Turbine
Design features: Tailwheel, Retractable Undercarraige, Float-Plane, etc.
Aerobatics, spins, formation flying, etc.
Agricultural, stock-mustering, etc.

References
^ FAA - Aviation Medical Examiner

See also
Private aviation
Commercial Pilot License
Pilot licensing and certification

External links
Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Airplane FAA August 2002
Computer Testing Supplement for Recreational Pilot and Private Pilot FAA 2004
Private Pilot License (PPL) and flying information (UK)
PilotOutlook.com: Private Pilot License - Requirements and approximate costs (US
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Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_Pilot_License"
Categories: Aviation licenses and certifications
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This page was last modified on 4 July 2008, at 20:00.
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