Below is the list of examinations that you are required to pass for the issue of a JAA PPL: Air Law and Operational Procedures Aeroplanes Meteorology Flight Performance and Planning Human Performance and Limitations Aircraft General and Principles of Flight Navigation and Radio Navigation Communications - PPL

All these examinations must be passed prior to taking the PPL Skill Test. The pass mark for each examination is 75%.

The examinations must be passed within a period of 18 months and they remain valid for licence issue for 24 months from successful completion of the last examination.

If the candidate fails to pass an examination at the first attempt there should be a 2 week period before sitting another paper on the same subject.

Should the candidate fail the examination at the second attempt there should be a 4 week period before taking a further attempt.

In the event of a third failure the candidate will be required to sit a final examination paper at CAA Gatwick or a CAA Regional Test Centre after undertaking further training as determined by the flying school / club.

Upon completion of further training and prior to sitting the final examination paper a JAR-FCL Private Pilot's Licence Aeroplanes / Helicopters Theoretical Knowledge Examination - Application Form Section 4 Declaration of Completion of Further Training must be completed by the Flying School / Club as part of the application to re-sit the final paper. Booking for the final paper must be made through CAA PLD Exam Support and a re-sit fee will be payable.

A candidate failing the final paper will be banned from taking any further attempts for a period of 3 months thereafter the candidate will be required to re-enter the examinations as though for the initial attempt. All previous exam passes in all subjects will be rendered null and void and all further examinations will be sat at CAA Gatwick or a Regional Test Centre after the candidate has undertaken further training as determined by the Flying School / Club.

It is therefore strongly recommend that a candidate prepares fully before attempting any of the examinations.

Practice examination papers and some self-assessment questions are available from On-Track Aviation click Practice Papers

Recommended Study Material

The following reference material is recommended by On-Track when studying for the JAA PPL:

Recommended Pilot Accessories

The following items are recommended by On-Track for the JAA PPL student:

When You Should Sit The Ground Examinations?

A student may take all the examinations before commencing flying training. This is recommended if you intend to go to the USA to complete your JAA PPL.

If you are training in the UK, we recommend that you spread the ground examinations throughout the JAA PPL course. In order to do this the examinations should be completed by certain critical points (CP) as indicated below:

• Aviation Law & Operational Procedures Aeroplanes
• Human Performance & Limitations
• Communications - PPL (theory paper)

CP 2 - Before exercise 18 (navigation) pass:

• Meteorology
• Navigation and Radio Navigation
• Flight Performance and Planning

CP 3 - Before flying the 150 nm cross country pass:

• Radiotelephony Practical Test (see note)

CP 4 - Before attempting the PPL Skill Test pass:

• Aircraft General & Principles of Flight

Before being allowed to take the PPL Skill Test ALL written examinations (see note) must have been passed and ALL the flight training must have been completed.

Note: The Radiotelephony Practical Test need not have been passed before taking the PPL Skill Test.