On-Track Aviation

EASA | Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) Aeroplanes


PA28 Warrior II	PA28 Warrior II Instrument panel

General

The Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence (LAPL) Aeroplanes is a non-expiring “lifetime” licence. Once issued the licence is held unless it is provisionally suspended, suspended or revoked by the issuing authority or is surrendered by the holder

A LAPL(A) gained at an EASA DTO or ATO is valid within the EASA Member States see EASA Privileges and conditions

The LAPL(A) is different to other licence types in that it does not contain aircraft type or class ratings with expiry dates that need revalidation. The LAPL(A) includes privilege(s) built into the licence, therefore it will not have a class rating with an expiry date. The pilot must keep these privilege(s) valid by ensuring a minimum amount of flight time is completed and this is called Recency. See EASA FCL.140.A LAPL(A) - Recency requirements

A LAPL(A) may contain ratings such as Night or Aerobatics

Applicants for a LAPL(A) shall be at least 17 years of age. A student pilot for a LAPL(A) shall be at least 16 years of age before first solo flight

Licence Issue and Experience Requirements

Applicants for a LAPL(A) shall have completed:

(a) The Flight Training (EASA AMC1 FCL.115 LAPL(A) - Training course)

(b) The Theoretical Knowledge Training (EASA AMC1 FCL.115; FCL.120 LAPL training course and theoretical knowledge examination | FCL.025 Theoretical knowledge examinations for the issue of licences and ratings)

(c) Passed the Theoretical Knowledge Examinations (EASA FCL.025 Theoretical knowledge examinations for the issue of licences and ratings)

(d) Part Med.A.030 states that a LAPL medical certificate is required for the initial application of a LAPL(A)

(e) FCL.055 Language proficiency states an aeroplane, helicopter, powered-lift and airship pilots required to use the radio telephone shall not exercise the privileges of their licences and ratings unless they have a language proficiency endorsement on their licence in either English or the language used for radio communications involved in the flight. The Operational Level (Level 4) is the minimum required proficiency level for radiotelephony communication

Flight Training (EASA AMC1 FCL.115 LAPL(A) - Training course)

The student pilot for a LAPL(A) shall obtain an appropriate medical certificate at least before their solo flight e.g. LAPL medical

(a) Applicants for an LAPL(A) shall have completed at least 30 hours of flight instruction on aeroplanes or TMGs, including at least:

(1) 15 hours of dual flight instruction in the class in which the skill test will be taken

(2) 6 hours of supervised solo flight time, including at least 3 hours of solo cross-country flight time with at least 1 cross-country flight of at least 150 km (80 NM), during which 1 full stop landing at an aerodrome different from the aerodrome of departure shall be made

Theoretical Knowledge Training (EASA AMC1 FCL.115; FCL.120 LAPL training course and theoretical knowledge examination | EASA FCL.025 Theoretical knowledge examinations for the issue of licences and ratings)

Theoretical knowledge instruction covering the following subjects:

Air Law
Human Performance
Meteorology
Communications
Operational Procedures - Aeroplanes
Principles of Flight - Aeroplanes
Flight Performance and Planning - Aeroplanes
Aircraft General Knowledge - Aeroplanes
Navigation - Aeroplanes

Theoretical Knowledge Examinations (FCL.025 Theoretical knowledge examinations for the issue of licences and ratings)

Applicants shall only take the examination when recommended by the DTO / ATO responsible for their training, once they have completed the appropriate elements of the training course of theoretical knowledge instruction to a satisfactory standard

The recommendation by a DTO / ATO shall be valid for 12 months. If the applicant has failed to attempt at least one theoretical knowledge examination paper within this period of validity, the need for further training shall be determined by the DTO / ATO, based on the needs of the applicant

The examination subjects are as follows:

Examination Assessment
A pass in an examination paper will be awarded to an applicant achieving at least 75% of the marks allocated to that paper. There is no penalty marking

An applicant has successfully completed the required theoretical knowledge examination when he/she has passed all the required examination papers within a period of 18 months counted from the end of the calendar month when the applicant first attempted an examination

If an applicant has failed to pass one of the examination papers within 4 attempts or 18 months counted from the end of the calendar month when the applicant first attempted an examination, they shall re-take the complete set of examination papers

Before re-taking the examinations, the applicant shall undertake further training at a DTO or ATO. The extent and scope of the training needed shall be determined by the training organisation, based on the needs of the applicant

EASA LAPL(A) Skill Test (AMC1 FCL.125 LAPL - Skill test)

Before the skill test is taken, the applicant shall have passed the required theoretical knowledge examinations

The applicant for a skill test shall be recommended for the test by the organisation responsible for the training, once all the training is completed. The training records shall be made available to the examiner. The EASA LAPL(A) skill test schedule is given below

Note: Use of checklist, airmanship, control of aeroplane by external visual reference, anti/de-icing procedures, etc. apply in all sections

Section 1 Pre-Flight Operations and Departure
Pre-flight documentation, NOTAM and weather briefing
Mass and balance and performance calculation
Aeroplane or TMG inspection and servicing
Engine starting and after starting procedures
Taxiing and aerodrome procedures, pre-take-off procedures
Take-off and after take-off checks
Aerodrome departure procedures
ATC compliance and R/T procedures

Section 2 General Airwork
ATC liaison: compliance
Straight and level flight, with speed changes
Climbing:
(i) best rate of climb
(ii) climbing turns
(iii) levelling off
Medium (30° bank) turns, lookout procedures and collision avoidance
Steep (45° bank) turns
Flight at critically low air speed with and without flaps
Stalling:
(i) clean stall and recover with power
(ii) approach to stall descending turn with bank angle 20°, approach configuration
(iii) approach to stall in landing configuration
Descending:
(i) with and without power
(ii) descending turns (steep gliding turns)
(iii) levelling off

Section 3 En-Route Procedures
Flight plan, dead reckoning and map reading
Maintenance of altitude, heading and speed
Orientation, airspace structure, timing and revision of ETAs and log keeping
Diversion to alternate aerodrome (planning and implementation)
Flight management (checks, fuel systems and carburettor icing, etc)
ATC liaison: compliance

Section 4 Approach and Landing Procedures
Aerodrome arrival procedures
Collision avoidance (lookout procedures)
Precision landing (short field landing), crosswind, if suitable conditions available
Flapless landing (if applicable)
Approach to landing with idle power
Touch and go
Go-around from low height
ATC liaison: compliance
Actions after flight

Section 5 Abnormal and Emergency Procedures
(This section may be combined with sections 1 through 4. These items (*) may be combined at the discretion of the FE)

Simulated engine failure after take-off
*Simulated forced landing
*Simulated precautionary landing
Simulated emergencies
Oral questions

References

EASA Part FCL, AMC and GM
EASA SERA

EASA Privileges and conditions

EASA FCL.105 LAPL

(a) General. The privileges of the holder of an LAPL are to act without remuneration as PIC in non-commercial operations on the appropriate aircraft category

(b) Conditions. Applicants for the LAPL shall have fulfilled the requirements for the relevant aircraft category and, when applicable, for the class or type of aircraft used in the skill test

EASA FCL.105.A LAPL(A)

(a) Privileges

The privileges of the holder of an LAPL for aeroplanes are to act as PIC on SEP aeroplanes-land (SEP(land)), SEP aeroplanes-sea (SEP(sea)) or TMG with a maximum certified take-off mass of 2000kg or less, carrying a maximum of three passengers, such that there are never more than 4 persons on board the aircraft

(b) Conditions

(1) Holders of a LAPL(A) shall carry passengers only if they have completed 10 hours of flight time as PIC on aeroplanes or TMG after the issuance of the licence

(2) Holders of a LAPL(A) who previously held an ATPL(A), an MPL(A), a CPL(A) or a PPL(A), are exempted from the requirements laid down in point (b)(1)(see note 2)

The LAPL(A) holder may fully exercise the privileges within the EASA Member States (see note 1)

Notes:
1. The LAPL(A) does not fully comply with the ICAO standards for aeroplane pilot licensing contained in the ICAO Annex 1 'Personnel Licensing'
2. EASA AMC1 FCL.105.A(b)(2) Privileges and conditions
In the case of previous MPL(A) holders, only those who extended their MPL(A) to include CPL privileges or PPL privileges in accordance with point FCL.405.A(b) may benefit from the exemption of point FCL.105.A(b)(2)

EASA FCL.135.A LAPL(A) – Extension of privileges to another class or variant of aeroplane

(a) Applicants for an LAPL(A) shall be issued with privileges for the class of aeroplanes or TMGs in which the skill test was taken. In order to extend their privileges to another class, holders of an LAPL(A) shall complete, in that other class, all of the following:

(1) 3 hours of flight instruction, including the following:

(i) 10 dual take-offs and landings

(ii) 10 supervised solo take-offs and landings

(2) a skill test to demonstrate an adequate level of practical skill in the new class. During that skill test, the applicant shall also demonstrate to the examiner an adequate level of theoretical knowledge for the other class in the following subjects:

(i) Operational procedures

(ii) Flight performance and planning

(iii) Aircraft general knowledge

(b) In order to extend the privileges to another variant within a class, the pilot shall either undergo differences training or do familiarisation. The differences training shall be entered in the pilot’s logbook or in an equivalent record and shall be signed by the instructor. When extending the privileges for an SEP aeroplane class to a variant with another type of engine referred to in Article 2, point (8c), the differences training shall consist of dual flight instruction and theoretical knowledge instruction which shall include, with regard to that other type of engine and related aircraft systems, at least all of the following subjects:

(1) Operational procedures

(2) Flight performance and planning

(3) Aircraft general knowledge

(c) Applicants for the extension of privileges of the LAPL(A) to TMG who also hold an SPL in accordance with EASA Annex III (Part-SFCL) to EASA Regulation (EU) 2028/1976 including the privileges to fly on TMGs, shall receive full credits towards the requirements in paragraph (a)

EASA FCL.140.A LAPL(A) - Recency requirements

(a) Holders of a LAPL(A) shall exercise the privileges of their licence only if in the last 2 years they have met any of the following conditions as pilots of aeroplanes or TMGs:

(1) they have completed at least 12 hours of flight time as PIC or flying dual or solo under the supervision of an instructor, including:

(i) 12 take-offs and landings

(ii) refresher training of at least 1 hour of total flight time with and to the satisfaction of an instructor who shall select those flight exercises that allow the applicant to refresh their competence in safely operating the aircraft and applying normal, abnormal and emergency procedures

(2) they have passed a LAPL(A) proficiency check with an examiner. The proficiency check programme shall be based on the skill test for the LAPL(A)

(b) If holders of a LAPL(A) hold both a SEP(land) and a SEP(sea) privilege, they may comply with the requirements in point (a)(1) in either class or a combination thereof which shall be valid for both privileges. For this purpose, at least 1 hour of the required flight time and 6 out of the required 12 take-offs and landings shall be completed in each class

(c) Holders of an LAPL(A) with privileges for SEP aeroplanes who, in accordance with point EASA FCL.135.A(b), have extended their privileges to a variant with a different type of engine referred to in Article 2, point (8c), if they have not flown that variant within the preceding 2 years, shall complete any of the following in that variant, before exercising their privileges in that variant:

(1) further differences training in accordance with point EASA FCL.135.A(b)

(2) a proficiency check

(3) refresher training in accordance with point EASA FCL.140.A(a)(1)(ii)

(d) The dual flights, flights under supervision referred to in the introductory phrase of point (a)(1), the refresher training referred to in point (a)(1)(ii) and point (c)(3) and the proficiency check referred to in point (a)(2) and point (c)(2) shall be entered in the pilot’s logbook or equivalent record and shall be signed by the instructor or examiner, as applicable

An information sheet on LAPL recency requirements can be found here

Carriage of Passengers

Refer to EASA Privileges and conditions

Not withstanding the above a pilot shall not operate an aircraft as PIC or co-pilot during the day or night carrying passengers unless the pilot has met the requirements of EASA FCL.060 for the carriage of passengers