The practical training for the LAPL or PPL for aeroplanes is the core of the pilot training alongside the theory. It concludes with a practical examination. In this article, we provide an overview of the practical training process and the content of the final examination.
In addition to the training and test for general language skills and radiotelephony - which we will discuss in detail elsewhere - theoretical and practical flight training is the core of flying training. In this article, we will focus on the practical training and the subsequent examination, how exactly this takes place and how best to prepare for it.
The practical training
The practical flight training for the LAPL or PPL for aeroplanes must take place at an approved flight school (ATO or DTO). While there are no differences in the theoretical training between LAPL and PPL, there are differences in the practical training.
The practical training for the LAPL (A) or PPL (A)
For the LAPL (A) the training must consist of at least 30 flight hours, of which at least 15 hours must be flight training with a flight instructor, as well as 6 hours of solo flight (under the supervision of the flight instructor), of which at least 3 hours must be solo cross-country flight, with a solo cross-country flight of at least 150 km with landing at another aerodrome. As part of the training, all elements of a flight are practised, which are then required at the end of the test.
For the PPL (A) at least 45 hours of flight time must be completed as part of the training, including at least 25 hours of training with a flight instructor, as well as 10 hours of solo flight (under the supervision of the flight instructor), including at least 5 hours of solo cross-country flight, with a solo cross-country flight of at least 270km with landings at two other aerodromes.
The difference between PPL (A) and LAPL (A) training is therefore essentially 15 flying hours, as some areas - in particular radio navigation and flying into clouds - are not or only rudimentarily trained during LAPL training. Accordingly, you can "upgrade" your LAPL licence to a PPL licence at any time by making up the hours (at least 15 flight hours, including 4 hours of solo flight time and 2 hours of solo cross-country flight of at least 270 km with landing at two other airfields) followed by a (renewed) practical test.
Practical training should generally cover the following areas (extract from the Part-FCL):
- pre-flight operations, including mass and balance determination, aircraft inspection and servicing;
- aerodrome and traffic pattern operations, collision avoidance precautions and procedures;
- control of the aircraft by external visual reference;
- flight at critically low air speeds, recognition of, and recovery from, incipient and full stalls;
- flight at critically high air speeds, recognition of, and recovery from, spiral dive;
- normal and crosswind take-offs and landings;
- maximum performance (short field and obstacle clearance) take-offs, short- field landings;
- cross-country flying using visual reference, dead reckoning and radio navigation aids;
- emergency operations, including simulated aeroplane equipment malfunctions;
- operations to, from and transiting controlled aerodromes, compliance with air traffic services procedures and communication procedures.
Additionally, this only applies to PPL training (not to the LAPL):
- flight by reference solely to instruments, including the completion of a level 180° turn
EASA provides a specific syllabus for carrying out the training. It is important that the training should cover all the content defined there. The specific duration of the individual exercises, the sequence or the frequency of repetitions must be adapted by the flight instructor depending on the flight situation (e.g. weather), the progress and skills of the student pilot, the available flight time, technical requirements or other local conditions.
Below we list the individual exercises in the curriculum. This should give you a first impression of what is included in the practical training. Further details can be obtained from the Part-FCL or from the flight school. They often provide so-called "Lesson Cards" where each exercise is explained in detail, which the student pilot can then use to prepare for the respective exercise.
- Exercise 1a: Familiarisation with the aeroplane or TMG
- Exercise 1b: Emergency drills
- Exercise 2: Preparation for and action after flight
- Exercise 3: Air experience: flight exercise
- Exercise 4: Effects of controls
- Exercise 5a: Taxiing
- Exercise 5b: Emergencies: brake and steering failure
- Exercise 6: Straight and level
- Exercise 7: Climbing
- Exercise 8: Descending
- Exercise 9: Turning
- Exercise 10a: Slow flight
- Exercise 10b: Stalling
- Exercise 11: Spin avoidance
- Exercise 12: Take-off and climb to downwind position
- Exercise 13: Circuit, approach and landing
- Exercise 12/13: Emergencies
- Exercise 14: First solo
- Exercise 15: Advanced turning
- Exercise 16: Forced landing without power
- Exercise 17: Precautionary landing
- Exercise 18a: Navigation
- Exercise 18b: Navigation problems at lower levels and in reduced visibility
- Exercise 18c: Radio navigation (basics)
- Exercise 19: Stopping and restarting the engine (in the case of TMGs only)
Additionally, this only applies to PPL training (not to the LAPL):
- Exercise 20: Basic instrument flight
The practical examination for the LAPL (A) or PPL (A)
The practical examination flight with a certified examiner marks the end of the LAPL or PPL training. During the examination flight, the student pilot must demonstrate that he or she has safe control of the aircraft and is able to carry out the required procedures and manoeuvres.
A test execution protocol is defined by EASA for the test flight, which the examiner completes during and after the flight in order to assess the relevant areas. The protocol is divided into different sections covering the various flight phases and areas to be tested.
The following applies: If a task within a section is not performed successfully, the entire section is deemed to have been failed. If only a single section has been failed at the end of the test, the student pilot only has to repeat this one section when retaking the test. If more than one section has been failed, the entire test must be repeated. All sections must then be passed again in the re-test. If the re-test is also unsuccessful, the student must undergo additional training before they can be re-registered for the practical test.
The examiner selects a flight route for the exam and discusses it with the student in advance (usually at least one day before the exam flight). The student must then carry out the appropriate flight preparation and planning. The navigation part of the test must last at least 30 minutes, during which the student must navigate between at least two waypoints (for LAPL) or three waypoints (for PPL).
During the test flight there are certain tolerances that must be adhered to by the student. The student must prove that he is able to do so:
- operate the aircraft within the defined limits
- execute all manoeuvres accurately
- always act according to the principles of good airmanship
- Practical application of aviation knowledge
- Maintain control of the aircraft at all times and during every manoeuvre
Furthermore, there are specifications as to how "exactly" the aircraft must be flown. The following values are merely "guidelines" for the examiner, who can adjust them depending on the circumstances (e.g. in turbulent weather or if the aircraft has limitations):
- In normal flight the altitude must be maintained at +/- 150ft
- The speed must be maintained at +15 or -5 knots during take-off and landing, and at +/- 15 knots in all other flight phases
Additionally, this only applies to PPL training (not to the LAPL):
- The tracking of radio navigation systems must be carried out with an accuracy of +/- 10 °
The following list is taken from PART-FCL and shows the various sections that must be completed in the test flight.
SECTION 1 PRE-FLIGHT OPERATIONS AND DEPARTURE
Use of checklist, airmanship, control of aeroplane or TMG by external visual reference, anti/de-icing procedures, etc. apply in all sections.
- 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
SECTION 2 GENERAL AIRWORK
- ATC compliance
- Straight and level flight, with speed changes
- Climbing:
- best rate of climb;
- climbing turns;
- levelling off.
- Medium (30° bank) turns, look-out procedures and collision avoidance
- Steep (45 ° bank) turns (only for PPL, not for LAPL: (including recognition and recovery from a spiral dive)
- Flight at critically low air speed with and without flaps
- Stalling:
- clean stall and recover with power;
- approach to stall descending turn with bank angle 20 °, approach configuration;
- approach to stall in landing configuration.
- Descending:
- with and without power;
- descending turns (steep gliding turns);
- 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, log keeping
- Diversion to alternate aerodrome (planning and implementation)
- Flight management (checks, fuel systems, carburettor icing, etc.)
- ATC compliance
Additionally, this only applies to PPL training (not to the LAPL):
- Use of radio navigation aids
- Basic instrument flying check (180 ° turn in simulated IMC)
SECTION 4 APPROACH AND LANDING PROCEDURES
- Aerodrome arrival procedures
- Collision avoidance (look-out procedures)
- Precision landing (short field landing) and crosswind, if suitable conditions available
- Flapless landing (if applicable)
- Approach to landing with idle power
- Touch and go
- Go-around from low height
- ATC compliance
- Actions after flight
SECTION 5 ABNORMAL AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
This section may be combined with Sections 1 through 4
- Simulated engine failure after take-off
- Simulated forced landing
- Simulated precautionary landing
- Simulated emergencies
- Oral questions
This should give you an insight into how the test works and which aspects are checked. As part of your flight training, you will be intensively prepared for the exam by your flight instructor. It is advisable to "simulate" an exam flight with your instructor in advance in order to go through and practise the processes and procedures.
Conclusion and next steps
Once you have successfully passed the practical test and compiled and submitted all the documents mentioned (see also our article "Step by step to a private pilot licence"), you need to be patient. You are only allowed to fly an aircraft as PIC once you have received your licence by post, which can take several weeks.
Summary
The practical examination for the LAPL or PPL (these differ in some areas) represents the conclusion of the pilot training.
The examination is conducted with an authorised examiner and precisely defined sections are carried out with various procedures and exercises that are practised intensively during the training.
Once you have passed the practical test, you have to be patient again. You can only operate as a pilot once you have your pilot's licence in hand.
