Initial training
Become
a PPL pilot
Initial training to become a licensed PPL (Private Pilot Licence) pilot has 2 stages: theory and practice. Your first flight can take place as soon as you join the club. An instructor will be assigned to you.
1st flight
as soon as you join the club, with your instructor
45 h
minimum flying time to apply for the test
55 to 65 h
in reality, before the skill test
The stages
of training
01
Theory
You will need to pass a theory exam at the federal exam centres. The club runs evening training sessions to prepare for it.
02
The first solo
After a few hours of dual instruction comes your first solo, when you fly a few circuits alone on board, in contact with your instructor on the ground.
03
Navigation
Then comes navigation training, flying to nearby and then more distant aerodromes with your instructor, then solo.
04
The skill test
With an examiner (FE): if you fly the navigation without error and pass all the handling exercises, you obtain the European Private Pilot Licence.
Find out more
Licences
at a glance
Overview of the legal requirements.
ABL
certificate
Minimum age
16 (solo: 16 years old)
Legal minimum
At least 6 hours of dual instruction + 20 solo landings
Requirements
LAPL theory exam or BIA, approval of the head of training
Privileges
Solo flight (at the ACD) without supervision, 50 min, subject to conditions: passenger carrying and access to “other airfields” limited
LAPL
licence
Minimum age
17 (solo: 16 years old)
Legal minimum
At least 30 hours of flight, including 15 h dual, 6 h solo and 3 h solo cross-country
Requirements
Theory exam + skill test
Privileges
Flying in France and the European Union, with English language proficiency
PPL
licence
Minimum age
17
Legal minimum
At least 45 hours of flight, including 25 h dual, 10 h solo and 5 h solo cross-country
Requirements
Theory exam + skill test
Privileges
Flying in France and abroad, with English language proficiency
Three-axis
microlight pilot
Minimum age
15
Legal minimum
No legal minimum, about 25 hours
Requirements
Theory exam + skill test
Privileges
Solo flight; extension: passenger-carrying authorisation
Medical certificate
- ABL, LAPL and PPL: aeromedical examiner. Certificate validity: 5 years under 40, 2 years from 40 to 50, 1 year over 50.
- Microlight: medical certificate from a general practitioner, no contraindication.
Instruction
rates
Aeroplane, aerobatics and microlight instruction
| Flight with an instructor students | €60 / h |
| Flight with an instructor licensed pilots | €15 / h |
Supervised solo: aeroplane, aerobatics and microlight
| Solo flight supervised by an instructor | €30 / h |
These rates are in addition to aircraft hire: see the aircraft rates for the cost of each type of aircraft.