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A private pilot licence (PPL) or private pilot certificate is a type of pilot licence that allows the holder to act as pilot in command of an aircraft privately (not for remuneration). The basic licence requirements are determined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), but implementation varies from country to country. According to ICAO, an applicant must be at least 17 years old, demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skill, and hold at least a Class 3 medical certificate.^[1] Different PPLs are available for different categories of aircraft, such as aeroplane, helicopter, airship, etc.,^[1] and are not interchangeable, although experience from a PPL in one category may be credited towards the issue of another.

Issuing authorities

Private pilot licences are issued by the civil aviation authority of each country. Standards vary, and PPLs are not automatically recognised by other countries, but in some countries the holder of a foreign PPL may obtain permission to fly on a temporary basis.^[2]

In the United States the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has the authority to issue a PPL or another pilot license.

In Europe, civil aviation authorities issue licences based on common EASA standards.

Categories

The aircraft categories described by ICAO for the purposes of the PPL are aeroplane, airship, helicopter and powered lift.^[1] Many countries issue PPLs in additional categories such as sailplane (glider), balloon, powered parachute, and weight-shift control.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Aeroplanes

The Cessna 172RG is an example of an aircraft that would require the pilot-in-command to have private pilot licence or greater, with an *airplane single-engine land (ASEL)* class rating and a *complex endorsement* in the United States

The Cessna 310 is an example of an aircraft that would require a pilot-in-command to have private pilot licence or greater, with an *airplane multi-engine land (AMEL)* class rating, a *complex endorsement* and a *high-performance endorsement* in the United States

The aeroplane PPL is the most popular category of PPL. In the United States in 2022, of 164,000 people with PPLs, 158,000 were for aeroplanes only.^[6] In the United Kingdom in 2021, there were 22,500 holders of the PPL(A), and 2,200 holders of the PPL(H).^[7]

According to ICAO, the applicant for a PPL(A) must have at least 40 hours experience as a pilot of aeroplanes (35 hours on an integrated course^[8]), of that no more than 5 hours in a flight simulator. Credit may be given for flight time in other aircraft categories. The applicant must have at least 10 hours of solo flight time, including at least 5 hours of solo cross-country flight time with at least one cross-country flight of at least 270 km (150 NM) including two full-stop landings at different aerodromes.^[1]

In EASA states, the minimum experience for a PPL(A) is 45 hours. In practice, most students take about 50–70 hours to complete the course.^[9]

Applicants for the PPL(A) must be at least 17 years old. There is no minimum age to begin flight lessons, however, students must be 16 to fly solo. In the United States, a student pilot certificate is required to fly solo.

In addition to the licence, PPL(A) holders must gain class ratings or type ratings appropriate to the aircraft they wish to fly. Typically a PPL(A) holder would first be issued a "single-engine piston land" class rating, which permits him/her to fly aircraft with a single piston engine. To fly seaplanes or multi-engine aircraft requires further training, and more complex aircraft require a type-specific rating.

Other ratings include the instrument rating to fly in Instrument Meteorological Conditions, the night rating to fly at night, and various levels of instructor rating.

Additional endorsements

A number of endorsements are available for specific skills. Endorsements only require instruction and a flight instructor's signature in the pilot's logbook; they do not require any flight test or submission of documents to the national civil aviation authority.

Endorsements available in the United States include:^[10]

Tailwheel (pilots who have logged pilot-in-command time on tailwheel aircraft prior to 15 April 1991 are exempt from this requirement) – Tailwheel endorsement not applicable in Canada^[11]
Complex airplane (aircraft with a variable-pitch propeller, flaps, and retractable landing gear)
High-performance (more than 200 horsepower per engine)
Pressurized aircraft endorsement for aircraft that have a service ceiling or maximum operating altitude, whichever is lower, above 25,000 feet MSL (mean sea level).
Night vision goggle operations

Other aircraft operations for which the FAA does not require an endorsement that typically require additional training are glider towing and aerobatics. The FAA also does not require an endorsement for some commercial activities like banner towing. Aerial application (crop seeding, spraying and dusting), whether conducted by a commercial certificate holder operating for hire or by a private pilot treating a crop in which he is the owner of a substantial share, requires an Authorization under Part 137 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

Helicopters

According to ICAO, the requirements for a PPL(H) are similar to the PPL(A). The qualifying cross-country flight must be at least 180 km (100 NM), and the applicant must have received at least 20 hours instruction in helicopters.^[1]

In the United States, the legal aircraft category is known as rotorcraft, which is subdivided into helicopters and gyroplanes.

Airships

According to ICAO, applicants for a PPL(As) must have at least 25 hours flight time as pilot of airships, including "3 hours of cross-country flight training in an airship with a cross-country flight totalling not less than 45 km (25 NM); 5 take-offs and 5 landings to a full stop at an aerodrome with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an aerodrome; 3 hours of instrument time; and 5 hours as pilot assuming the duties of the pilot-in-command under the supervision of the pilot-in-command."^[1]

Balloons

In the United Kingdom, the balloon equivalent of the private pilot licence is known as the Balloon Pilot Licence (BPL).^[12] Classes are:^[13]

Hot-air balloon class (divided into four groups)
Gas balloon class
Mixed balloon class
Hot-air airship class

In the United States, the minimum age for a balloon private pilot certificate is 16.^[14]

In the United States, some limitations may be placed on the certificate, such as "limited to hot air balloons with airborne heater" or "limited to gas balloons", unless the pilot has had appropriate flight training in the other type of balloon and received a logbook endorsement.^[15]

Sailplanes

For gliders (sailplanes), the licence is known as a Sailplane Pilot Licence (SPL), and has lower requirements than an aeroplane PPL.^[16]^[17]

In the United States and Europe, the minimum age for a sailplane private pilot certificate is 16.^[14]^[18]^: FCL.200

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation: Personnel Licensing (PDF) (Twelfth ed.). ICAO. July 2018. pp. 2–6. ISBN 978-92-9258-543-3. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
^ Civil Aviation Safety Authority. "Converting an overseas flight crew licence". casa.gov.au. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
^ "Pilot Practical Test Standards". FAA. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
^ 14 CFR 61.1
^ 14 CFR 61.107
^ Federal Aviation Administration (19 January 2023). "U.S. Civil Airmen Statistics". faa.gov. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
^ "Personnel licensing statistics | Civil Aviation Authority". www.caa.co.uk.
^ "Federal Register :: Request Access". unblock.federalregister.gov.
^ "Let's go flying". AOPA. Archived from the original on 20 July 2009.
^ "14 CFR § 61.31 - Type rating requirements, additional training, and authorization requirements". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
^ Transport Canada (4 November 2019). "Standard 421 - Flight Crew Permits, Licences and Ratings - Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)". Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
^ "PPL, SPL, BPL - private pilot licences | Civil Aviation Authority". www.caa.co.uk.
^ "BPL requirements | Civil Aviation Authority". www.caa.co.uk.
^ ^a ^b "Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners". Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
^ Federal Aviation Administration, FAR 61.115 – Balloon rating: Limitations, retrieved 19 April 2020
^ "SPL requirements". www.caa.co.uk. Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
^ "Sailplane Pilot Licence Conversion". Pilot & Club Info. British Gliding Association. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
^ "EASA Part-FCL" (PDF). Retrieved 21 May 2023.

External links

FAA Registry: Airmen Certification Inquiry
Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Airplane (FAA, August 2002)
Computer Testing Supplement for Recreational Pilot and Private Pilot (FAA, 2004)

[Annex_1-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation: Personnel Licensing (PDF) (Twelfth ed.). ICAO. July 2018. pp. 2–6. ISBN 978-92-9258-543-3. Retrieved 14 May 2023.

[CASA_conversion-2] Civil Aviation Safety Authority. "Converting an overseas flight crew licence". casa.gov.au. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.

[3] "Pilot Practical Test Standards". FAA. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2013.

[4] 14 CFR 61.1

[5] 14 CFR 61.107

[CAS-6] Federal Aviation Administration (19 January 2023). "U.S. Civil Airmen Statistics". faa.gov. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.

[UK_statistics-7] "Personnel licensing statistics | Civil Aviation Authority". www.caa.co.uk.

[8] "Federal Register :: Request Access". unblock.federalregister.gov.

[AOPA-9] "Let's go flying". AOPA. Archived from the original on 20 July 2009.

[CFR_61.31-10] "14 CFR § 61.31 - Type rating requirements, additional training, and authorization requirements". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 14 May 2023.

[11] Transport Canada (4 November 2019). "Standard 421 - Flight Crew Permits, Licences and Ratings - Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)". Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.

[UK_CAA_PPLs-12] "PPL, SPL, BPL - private pilot licences | Civil Aviation Authority". www.caa.co.uk.

[UK_CAA_BPL-13] "BPL requirements | Civil Aviation Authority". www.caa.co.uk.

[US_AME-14] "Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners". Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved 14 May 2023.

[15] Federal Aviation Administration, FAR 61.115 – Balloon rating: Limitations, retrieved 19 April 2020

[UK_SPL-16] "SPL requirements". www.caa.co.uk. Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 14 May 2023.

[British_Gliding_Association-17] "Sailplane Pilot Licence Conversion". Pilot & Club Info. British Gliding Association. Retrieved 14 May 2023.

[EASA_Part-FCL-18] "EASA Part-FCL" (PDF). Retrieved 21 May 2023.

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+{{Short description|Type of pilot license}}
+{{Use British English|date=July 2017}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
 [[File:Private Pilot.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A 2006 plastic private pilot certificate from the United States. Earlier issues were printed on [[card stock]] and designs varied.]]
-A '''private pilot licence''' ('''PPL''') or, in the [[United States]], a '''private pilot certificate''', permits the holder to act as [[pilot-in-command]] of an aircraft privately (not for remuneration). The license requirements are determined by the International Civil Aviation Authority ([[ICAO]]), but implementation varies widely from country to country. According to the ICAO, it is obtained by successfully completing a course with at least 40 hours (45 in Europe) of flight time, passing seven written exams, completing a solo cross country flight (minimum cumulative solo flight time is 10 hours), and successfully demonstrating flying skills to an examiner during a flight test (including an oral exam). In the United States, pilots can be trained under Title 14 of federal code part 141, which allows them to apply for their certificate after as few as 35 hours.<ref>[http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=54ba55c26c69cf20cf39a502733676c1&mc=true&node=se14.2.61_1109&rgn=div8 14 CFR FAR Part 61.109(k)(2)]</ref> However, most pilots require 60–70 hours of flight time to complete their training.<ref>[http://www.aopa.org/letsgoflying/faqs.html AOPA FAQ]</ref> The minimum age for a private pilot certificate is 16 for balloons and gliders, and 17 for powered flight (airplanes, helicopters, and gyroplanes). Pilots can begin training at any age and can solo balloons and gliders from age 14, and powered aircraft from age 16.<ref>[http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/app_process/general/who/ FAA – aviation medical examiner<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
+A '''private pilot licence''' ('''PPL''') or '''private pilot certificate''' is a type of [[Pilot licensing and certification|pilot licence]] that allows the holder to act as [[pilot in command]] of an [[aircraft]] privately (not for [[remuneration]]). The basic licence requirements are determined by the [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] (ICAO), but implementation varies from country to country. According to ICAO, an applicant must be at least 17 years old, demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skill, and hold at least a Class 3 medical certificate.<ref name="Annex 1">{{cite book |title=Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation: Personnel Licensing |date=July 2018 |publisher=ICAO |isbn=978-92-9258-543-3 |pages=2–6 |edition=Twelfth |url=https://www.icao.int/APAC/Meetings/2019%20COSCAP%20SEAEASA%20PEL/AN01_cons.2019_compressed.pdf |access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref> Different PPLs are available for different categories of aircraft, such as aeroplane, helicopter, airship, etc.,<ref name="Annex 1"/> and are not interchangeable, although experience from a PPL in one category may be credited towards the issue of another.
 == Issuing authorities ==
+Private pilot licences are issued by the [[civil aviation authority]] of each country. Standards vary, and PPLs are not automatically recognised by other countries, but in some countries the holder of a foreign PPL may obtain permission to fly on a temporary basis.<ref name="CASA conversion">{{cite web|url= https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and-certificates/pilots/pilot-licences/military-and-international-licences/converting-overseas-flight-crew-licence#|title= Converting an overseas flight crew licence|access-date= 25 June 2023|author= Civil Aviation Safety Authority|author-link= Civil Aviation Safety Authority|work= casa.gov.au|archive-url= https://archive.today/20230625011151/https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and-certificates/pilots/pilot-licences/military-and-international-licences/converting-overseas-flight-crew-licence%23|archive-date= 25 June 2023|url-status= live}}</ref>
-A PPL may be issued by the [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] for [[Pilot certification in the United States|US certification]], the [[Joint Aviation Authorities|JAA]] / [[European Aviation Safety Agency|EASA]] for European certification, the [[Civil Aviation Safety Authority|CASA]] for Australian certification, or [[Transport Canada]] for Canadian certification. Each organization has different requirements.
+In the United States the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has the authority to issue a PPL or another pilot license.
-== Categories and classes ==
-[[File:Cessna.172rg.jpg|thumb|right| The [[Cessna 172RG]] is an example of an aircraft that would require the [[pilot-in-command]] to have private pilot license or greater, with an ''airplane single-engine land (ASEL)'' class rating and a ''complex endorsement'' in the United States]]
-[[File:CessnaT310PC-GXXN.JPG|thumb|right| The [[Cessna 310]] is an example of an aircraft that would require a [[pilot-in-command]] to have private pilot license or greater, with an ''airplane multi-engine land (AMEL)'' class rating, a ''complex endorsement'' and a ''high-performance endorsement'' in the United States]]
+In Europe, civil aviation authorities issue licences based on common [[European Union Aviation Safety Agency|EASA]] standards.
-Different types of private license are issued for the major categories of aircraft. It is possible to obtain a category/class rating for rotorcraft or lighter-than-air aircraft without ever obtaining a rating on fixed-wing aircraft. Some category/class ratings may include limitations placed on the certificate. For example, a glider pilot who has trained and tested using aerotow-, ground- or self-launch techniques will have a limitation placed on his glider rating "______-launch only" until he has completed additional training and a practical exam using the additional launch method(s). In similar fashion, a lighter-than-air pilot with a balloon class-rating will have the limitation "limited to hot air balloons with airborne heater" or "limited to gas balloons" unless he has logged flight training and completed a practical exam on both types of balloon. Other limitations may occasionally be issued, however these are not commonly encountered. The classes listed on the certificate define which aircraft categories its holder is qualified to operate.
+== Categories ==
-The structure of '''aircraft categories''' and further subdivision into '''classes''' are as follows:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/airmen/test_standards/pilot/ |title=Pilot Practical Test Standards |publisher=[[FAA]] |accessdate=2013-01-08}}</ref><ref>{{CodeFedReg|14|61|1}}</ref><ref>{{CodeFedReg|14|61|107}}</ref>
-* [[Airplane]]
-** Single-engine land
-** Single-engine sea
-** Multi-engine land
-** Multi-engine sea
-* [[Rotorcraft]]
-** [[Helicopter]]
-** [[Gyroplane]]
-* [[Glider (aircraft)|Glider]]
-* [[Lighter-than-air]]
-** [[Airship]]
-** [[Hot-air balloon|Balloon]]
-* [[Powered-lift]]
-* [[Powered parachute]]
-** Powered parachute land
-** Powered parachute sea
-* [[Weight-shift-control aircraft|Weight-shift-control]]
-** Weight-shift-control land
-** Weight-shift-control sea
+The aircraft categories described by ICAO for the purposes of the PPL are [[aeroplane]], [[airship]], [[helicopter]] and [[powered lift]].<ref name="Annex 1"/> Many countries issue PPLs in additional categories such as [[sailplane]] (glider), [[Hot-air balloon|balloon]], [[powered parachute]], and [[weight-shift control]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/airmen/test_standards/pilot/ |title=Pilot Practical Test Standards |publisher=[[FAA]] |access-date=2013-01-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102055925/http://www.faa.gov/training%5Ftesting/testing/airmen/test%5Fstandards/pilot/ |archive-date=2013-01-02 }}</ref><ref>{{CodeFedReg|14|61|1}}</ref><ref>{{CodeFedReg|14|61|107}}</ref>
-== Ratings ==
-A license will contain a number of sub-qualifications or ''ratings''. These specify in more detail the actual privileges of the license, including the types of aircraft that can be flown, whether flight under [[instrument flight rules]] and at night is allowed, and whether instructing and examining of trainee pilots is authorized.  Ratings include Single and/or Multi-Engine Aircraft, Land or Seaplane, each of which require a checkride with an approved examiner.
+===Aeroplanes===
-== Additional endorsements ==
+[[File:Cessna.172rg.jpg|thumb|right| The [[Cessna 172RG]] is an example of an aircraft that would require the [[pilot-in-command]] to have private pilot licence or greater, with an ''airplane single-engine land (ASEL)'' class rating and a ''complex endorsement'' in the United States]]
-In addition, a number of endorsements are available for specific skills (additional requirements apply). Endorsements only require instruction and a Flight Instructor's endorsement, they do not require any flight test with an FAA representative and are placed in the pilot's logbook, not on the license itself.
+[[File:CessnaT310PC-GXXN.JPG|thumb|right| The [[Cessna 310]] is an example of an aircraft that would require a [[pilot-in-command]] to have private pilot licence or greater, with an ''airplane multi-engine land (AMEL)'' class rating, a ''complex endorsement'' and a ''high-performance endorsement'' in the United States]]
+The aeroplane PPL is the most popular category of PPL. In the United States in 2022, of 164,000 people with PPLs, 158,000 were for aeroplanes only.<ref name="CAS">{{cite web|url= https://www.faa.gov/data_research/aviation_data_statistics/civil_airmen_statistics|title= U.S. Civil Airmen Statistics|access-date= 25 June 2023|author= Federal Aviation Administration|author-link= Federal Aviation Administration|work= faa.gov|date= 19 January 2023|archive-url= https://archive.today/20230625011240/https://www.faa.gov/data_research/aviation_data_statistics/civil_airmen_statistics|archive-date= 25 June 2023|url-status= live}}</ref> In the United Kingdom in 2021, there were 22,500 holders of the PPL(A), and 2,200 holders of the PPL(H).<ref name="UK statistics">{{Cite web|url=https://www.caa.co.uk/data-and-analysis/approved-persons-and-organisations/personnel-licensing-statistics/|title=Personnel licensing statistics &#124; Civil Aviation Authority|website=www.caa.co.uk}}</ref>
-Sec. 61.31 Federal Aviation Regulations endorsements required to act as [[pilot-in-command]] (PIC) are:
-* [[Conventional landing gear|Tailwheel]] (pilots who have logged pilot-in-command time on Tailwheel aircraft prior to 15 April 1991 are exempt from this requirement)
+According to ICAO, the applicant for a PPL(A) must have at least 40 hours experience as a pilot of aeroplanes (35 hours on an integrated course<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://unblock.federalregister.gov/|title=Federal Register :: Request Access|website=unblock.federalregister.gov}}</ref>), of that no more than 5 hours in a [[flight simulator]]. Credit may be given for [[flight time]] in other aircraft categories. The applicant must have at least 10 hours of solo flight time, including at least 5 hours of solo [[Cross-country flying|cross-country]] flight time with at least one cross-country flight of at least 270&nbsp;km (150 NM) including two full-stop landings at different aerodromes.<ref name="Annex 1"/>
-* [[Complex airplane]] – aircraft with a [[Controllable-pitch propeller|variable-pitch propeller]], flaps, and retractable landing gear
+In [[EASA]] states, the minimum experience for a PPL(A) is 45 hours. In practice, most students take about 50–70 hours to complete the course.<ref name="AOPA">{{cite web |title=Let's go flying |url=http://www.aopa.org/letsgoflying/faqs.html |publisher=AOPA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720012731/http://www.aopa.org/letsgoflying/faqs.html |archive-date=20 July 2009}}</ref>
+Applicants for the PPL(A) must be at least 17 years old. There is no minimum age to begin flight lessons, however, students must be 16 to [[First solo flight|fly solo]]. In the United States, a [[student pilot certificate]] is required to fly solo.
+In addition to the licence, PPL(A) holders must gain [[class rating]]s or [[type rating]]s appropriate to the aircraft they wish to fly. Typically a PPL(A) holder would first be issued a "single-engine piston land" class rating, which permits him/her to fly aircraft with a single piston engine. To fly seaplanes or multi-engine aircraft requires further training, and more complex aircraft require a type-specific rating.
+Other ratings include the [[instrument rating]] to fly in [[Instrument Meteorological Conditions]], the [[night rating]] to fly at night, and various levels of [[Flight instructor|instructor]] rating.
+==== Additional endorsements ====
+A number of endorsements are available for specific skills. Endorsements only require instruction and a flight instructor's signature in the pilot's logbook; they do not require any flight test or submission of documents to the national civil aviation authority.
+Endorsements available in the United States include:<ref name="CFR 61.31">{{cite web |title=14 CFR § 61.31 - Type rating requirements, additional training, and authorization requirements. |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/61.31 |website=LII / Legal Information Institute |access-date=14 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
+* [[Conventional landing gear|Tailwheel]] (pilots who have logged pilot-in-command time on tailwheel aircraft prior to 15 April 1991 are exempt from this requirement) – Tailwheel endorsement not applicable in Canada<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/acts-regulations/list-regulations/canadian-aviation-regulations-sor-96-433/standards/standard-421-flight-crew-permits-licences-ratings-canadian-aviation-regulations-cars#421_26|title=Standard 421 - Flight Crew Permits, Licences and Ratings - Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)|access-date=16 October 2021|author=Transport Canada|date=4 November 2019 |author-link=Transport Canada|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210824145839/https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/acts-regulations/list-regulations/canadian-aviation-regulations-sor-96-433/standards/standard-421-flight-crew-permits-licences-ratings-canadian-aviation-regulations-cars|archive-date= 24 August 2021|url-status= live}}</ref>
+* [[Complex airplane]] (aircraft with a [[Variable-pitch propeller (aeronautics)|variable-pitch propeller]], flaps, and retractable landing gear)
 * High-performance (more than 200 horsepower per engine)
-* [[Cabin pressurization|Pressurized aircraft]] capable of operating at high altitudes
+* [[Cabin pressurization|Pressurized aircraft]] endorsement for aircraft that have a service ceiling or maximum operating altitude, whichever is lower, above 25,000 feet MSL (mean sea level).
 * [[Night vision device|Night vision goggle]] operations
 Other aircraft operations for which the FAA does not require an endorsement that typically require additional training are glider towing and aerobatics. The FAA also does not require an endorsement for some commercial activities like banner towing. Aerial application (crop seeding, spraying and dusting), whether conducted by a commercial certificate holder operating for hire or by a private pilot treating a crop in which he is the owner of a substantial share, requires an Authorization under Part 137 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
+===Helicopters===
+According to ICAO, the requirements for a PPL(H) are similar to the PPL(A). The qualifying cross-country flight must be at least 180&nbsp;km (100 NM), and the applicant must have received at least 20 hours instruction in helicopters.<ref name="Annex 1"/>
+In the United States, the legal aircraft category is known as [[rotorcraft]], which is subdivided into [[helicopter]]s and [[gyroplane]]s.
+===Airships===
+According to ICAO, applicants for a PPL(As) must have at least 25 hours flight time as pilot of airships, including "3 hours of cross-country flight training in an airship with a cross-country flight totalling not less than 45 km (25 NM); 5 take-offs and 5 landings to a full stop at an aerodrome with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an aerodrome; 3 hours of instrument time; and 5 hours as pilot assuming the duties of the pilot-in-command under the supervision of the pilot-in-command."<ref name="Annex 1"/>
+===Balloons===
+In the United Kingdom, the balloon equivalent of the private pilot licence is known as the Balloon Pilot Licence (BPL).<ref name="UK CAA PPLs">{{Cite web|url=https://www.caa.co.uk/general-aviation/pilot-licences/part-fcl-requirements/ppl-spl-bpl-private-pilot-licences/|title=PPL, SPL, BPL - private pilot licences &#124; Civil Aviation Authority|website=www.caa.co.uk}}</ref> Classes are:<ref name="UK CAA BPL">{{Cite web|url=https://www.caa.co.uk/general-aviation/pilot-licences/part-fcl-requirements/ppl-spl-bpl-private-pilot-licences/bpl-requirements/|title=BPL requirements &#124; Civil Aviation Authority|website=www.caa.co.uk}}</ref>
+* [[Hot-air balloon]] class (divided into four groups)
+* [[Gas balloon]] class
+* Mixed balloon class
+* Hot-air airship class
+In the United States, the minimum age for a balloon private pilot certificate is 16.<ref name="US AME"/>
+In the United States, some limitations may be placed on the certificate, such as "limited to hot air balloons with airborne heater" or "limited to gas balloons", unless the pilot has had appropriate flight training in the other type of balloon and received a logbook endorsement.<ref>[[Federal Aviation Administration]], [https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=b1cacfd845ed8219144d3d4263b9bed2&mc=true&node=se14.2.61_1115&rgn=div8 FAR 61.115 – Balloon rating: Limitations], retrieved 19 April 2020</ref>
+===Sailplanes===
+For gliders ([[sailplanes]]), the licence is known as a Sailplane Pilot Licence (SPL), and has lower requirements than an aeroplane PPL.<ref name="UK SPL">{{cite web |title=SPL requirements |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/general-aviation/pilot-licences/part-fcl-requirements/ppl-spl-bpl-private-pilot-licences/spl-requirements/ |website=www.caa.co.uk |publisher=Civil Aviation Authority |access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="British Gliding Association">{{cite web |title=Sailplane Pilot Licence Conversion |url=https://members.gliding.co.uk/pilot-licence-conversion/ |website=Pilot & Club Info |publisher=British Gliding Association |access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref>
+In the United States and Europe, the minimum age for a sailplane private pilot certificate is 16.<ref name="US AME">{{cite web |title=Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners |url=https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/app_process/general/who |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration |access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="EASA Part-FCL">{{cite web |title=EASA Part-FCL |url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/Part-FCL.pdf |access-date=21 May 2023}}</ref>{{rp|FCL.200}}
 ==See also==
 * [[Commercial pilot license]]
+* [[EASA pilot licensing]]
+* [[Pilot certification in the United States]]
 * [[Pilot licensing and certification]]
+* [[Pilot licensing in Australia]]
 * [[Pilot licensing in Canada]]
-* [[Pilot certification in the United States]]
+* [[Pilot licensing in the United Kingdom]]
 * [[Private aviation]]
-* [[Australian PPL]]
 ==References==
-{{reflist}}
+{{Reflist}}
 ==External links==
 *[https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/airmeninquiry/ FAA Registry: Airmen Certification Inquiry]
 *[https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_standards/media/FAA-S-8081-14B.pdf Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Airplane] (FAA, August 2002)
-*[http://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/airmen/test_questions/media/FAA-CT-8080-2E.pdf Computer Testing Supplement for Recreational Pilot and Private Pilot] (FAA, 2004)
+*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100528084521/http://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/airmen/test_questions/media/FAA-CT-8080-2E.pdf Computer Testing Supplement for Recreational Pilot and Private Pilot] (FAA, 2004)
+{{Authority control}}
 [[Category:Aviation licenses and certifications]]