Get Your Malaysia & Indonesia Pilot License
Complete DCA guide for PPL(A) — CAAM Part-FCL / DGCA Indonesia CASR 61: cost, hours, theory exams, medical, and how to convert from foreign licenses. Updated for 2026 regulations.
Cost & key data
| PPL(A) — CAAM Part-FCL / DGCA Indonesia CASR 61 cost | RM 80,000 – RM 130,000 (USD $17,000 – $28,000) |
| Minimum flight hours | 45 h |
| Theory study (typical) | 80 h |
| Medical class | Class 2 Medical (DCA-issued) |
| Knowledge test | DCA PPL Theory Exam |
| Minimum age | 17 years |
| License validity | Lifetime; SEP rating revalidated every 24 months |
| Working language(s) | Malay, Bahasa Indonesia, English |
| Drone authorisation | DCA Drone Pilot Licence (Sub-7kg / 7–25kg / >25kg) (Malaysia CAAM CAGM 8003 / Indonesia DGCA PR 37 (2020) — Pilot Remote Aircraft licence) |
| Average training time | 10 months full-time |
Step-by-step path to your DCA license
Average completion: 10 months full-time.
- Step 1Pass the medical
Obtain a Class 2 Medical (DCA-issued). The medical certificate must be current before you can fly solo.
- Step 2Theory study & ground school
Complete approximately 80 hours of ground theory covering air law, navigation, meteorology, principles of flight, communications, and human factors.
- Step 3Fly the required 45 hours
Log a minimum of 45 flight hours with a certified instructor at an DCA-approved flight school. Includes solo cross-country flights.
- Step 4Pass the knowledge test
DCA PPL Theory Exam — 9 subjects mirroring EASA TK 2020 syllabus, 75% per paper.
- Step 5Pass the skill test (checkride)
Complete an end-of-course practical exam with an DCA examiner. Once passed, your PPL(A) — CAAM Part-FCL / DGCA Indonesia CASR 61 is issued.
License classes issued by DCA
- PPL(A)
- CPL(A)
- ATPL(A) — frozen / unfrozen
- Multi-engine / IFR / Type Rating
- Drone Pilot — Sub-7kg / 7–25kg / >25kg
Malaysia & Indonesia drone license under DCA
Drone authority
Malaysia CAAM CAGM 8003 / Indonesia DGCA PR 37 (2020) — Pilot Remote Aircraft licence
Test format
Theory + practical at a CAAM/DGCA-approved drone training organisation; commercial ops require operator certification and per-flight Air Operator Permit
Maximum altitude
400 ft AGL
Renewal cycle: every 2 years. See the worldwide drone pilot hub for country-by-country comparisons.
How DCA compares to FAA & EASA
vs FAA (United States)
Theory closer to EASA than FAA. English-friendly compared to many ASEAN regulators. Drone framework recently updated (2020–2023).
Open guidevs EASA (Europe)
Theory volume similar (9 subjects). Reciprocity arrangements with Singapore CAAS and Thailand CAAT make ASEAN cross-validation easier.
Open guideCompare with other worldwide authorities
DCA pilot license — frequently asked questions
Is the Malaysia DCA the same as Indonesia DGCA?
No — Malaysia is regulated by CAAM (formerly DCA) and Indonesia by DGCA Indonesia. Both follow ICAO Annex 1 closely and recognise each other's licences with minimal conversion.
How much does PPL cost in Malaysia?
RM 80,000–130,000 at HM Aerospace, AAA, or Malaysian Flying Academy. Indonesia is similar in IDR-equivalent terms.
Can I fly a drone commercially in Malaysia under CAGM 8003?
Yes — you need a drone pilot licence, drone registration, third-party insurance, and an Air Operator Permit (AOP) for each commercial flight.
Is English the exam language?
Theory exams are available in English in both Malaysia and Indonesia. Practical exam may be conducted in Malay/Indonesian depending on the examiner.
Is the medical reciprocal with FAA?
ICAO Class 2 is reciprocally accepted, but for licence privileges in the US an FAA medical is required. Most cadet programmes (AirAsia, Lion Air) handle conversions in-house.
Ready to start training for your DCA license?
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