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Transport and Communications Agency

Private pilot licence

A private pilot licence (PPL) gives you the right to fly solo by an aeroplane (A) or a helicopter (H) and to take, for example, your friends on board as passengers. You can share expenses with your friends but you cannot charge a fee for the flight.

A PPL does not give the right to aviation for commercial purposes.

How to obtain a private pilot licence

  1. Step 1

    Age requirement

    You can start the PPL training at the age of 16. When you apply for the licence at Traficom, you must be at least 17 years old.

  2. Step 2

    Training

    The training includes theoretical knowledge and flight instruction.

    Yksityislentäjän lupakirjakoulutusta antavat kouluttajat
  3. Step 3

    Medical Certificate

    To start flying solo, you are required to have a medical certificate.

    Read more about the medical certificate
  4. Step 4

    Theoretical knowledge examinations arranged by Traficom

    You may participate in theoretical knowledge examinations after completing the theoretical knowledge instruction. You can take the examinations before you have fully completed your flight instruction.

    Read more about theoretical knowledge examinations
  5. Step 5

    Skill test

    You can take the skill test after you have completed the theoretical knowledge instruction and flight instruction and passed Traficom’s theoretical knowledge examinations.

    Read more about flight examiners for skill tests
  6. Step 6

    Apply for the licence

    Apply for a private pilot licence

The license is renewed every time an Ulkoinen verkkopalvelu.is made to add or change ratings or privileges to the license. The private pilot license can also be rewritten, for example, in cases where the back page of the license is full, due to a change of name of the license holder or to replace a lost license. 

When rewriting the license, the following is required:

  • Class 2 of the medical qualification certificate must be valid
  • The license must have at least one valid class or type rating
  • At least one language proficiency must be valid 

Please note that expired ratings, authorizations and privileges are not printed on the issued license.

Contact details in matters concerning aviation licences

Contact form Ulkoinen verkkopalvelu.

Notices and instructions concerning personnel licences within aviation

Notices and InstructionsInformation of class ratings and crediting of UPL flight experience
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