Get Your United Kingdom Pilot License
Complete UK CAA guide for UK PPL(A) — Part-FCL (UK retained): cost, hours, theory exams, medical, and how to convert from foreign licenses. Updated for 2026 regulations.
Cost & key data
| UK PPL(A) — Part-FCL (UK retained) cost | £10,000 – £15,000 |
| Minimum flight hours | 45 h |
| Theory study (typical) | 100 h |
| Medical class | Class 2 Medical (CAA-AME) |
| Knowledge test | UK PPL — 9 Theoretical Knowledge papers |
| Minimum age | 17 years |
| License validity | Lifetime; SEP rating revalidation every 24 months |
| Working language(s) | English |
| Drone authorisation | UK Open Category + GVC (General Visual Line of Sight Cert.) (CAP 722 — A2 CofC + GVC + Operational Authorisation) |
| Average training time | 9 months full-time |
Step-by-step path to your UK CAA license
Average completion: 9 months full-time.
- Step 1Pass the medical
Obtain a Class 2 Medical (CAA-AME). The medical certificate must be current before you can fly solo.
- Step 2Theory study & ground school
Complete approximately 100 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 UK CAA-approved flight school. Includes solo cross-country flights.
- Step 4Pass the knowledge test
UK PPL — 9 Theoretical Knowledge papers — 9 subjects, 75% per paper. Mirrors EASA TK structure but exams are UK-specific post-Brexit..
- Step 5Pass the skill test (checkride)
Complete an end-of-course practical exam with an UK CAA examiner. Once passed, your UK PPL(A) — Part-FCL (UK retained) is issued.
License classes issued by UK CAA
- NPPL — National Private Pilot Licence
- LAPL(A)
- UK PPL(A)
- UK CPL(A) / ATPL(A)
- IR / CB-IR(A) / IR(R)
- Drone: A2 CofC, GVC, OA
United Kingdom drone license under UK CAA
Drone authority
CAP 722 — A2 CofC + GVC + Operational Authorisation
Test format
Open A1/A3: free DMARES theory test online (Flyer ID). A2 CofC: theory at RAE. GVC: theory + practical flight assessment + Operations Manual.
Maximum altitude
400 ft AGL
Renewal cycle: every 5 years. See the worldwide drone pilot hub for country-by-country comparisons.
How UK CAA compares to FAA & EASA
vs FAA (United States)
Theory-heavy like EASA. UK CAA diverges from EU but maintains ICAO compliance. Drone framework (CAP 722) was first to introduce GVC + Operations Manual.
Open guidevs EASA (Europe)
Post-Brexit twin of EASA. Most exams are similar but UK rolled out new TK 2020 syllabus. Conversion EASA↔UK is straightforward.
Open guideCompare with other worldwide authorities
UK CAA pilot license — frequently asked questions
Is the UK PPL the same as the EASA PPL after Brexit?
No — they are now separate licences. UK PPL holders need a CAA validation to fly EASA-registered aircraft and vice versa, though theory and skill tests are largely interchangeable.
What is the difference between A2 CofC and GVC?
A2 CofC permits flight of 'legacy' drones in the A2 sub-category at 50 m from people. GVC unlocks the Specific Category and Operational Authorisations (PDRA-01 etc.) — required for most professional work.
How much does the UK PPL cost?
£10,000–£15,000 in the UK. Many UK students train in the US under FAA and convert — saving on weather-related lost lessons.
What is an Operations Manual for drones?
A required document for the Specific Category that describes the operator's procedures, risk assessment, training, and equipment. Reviewed by the CAA before issuing an Operational Authorisation.
Is the UK Class 2 medical accepted in the EU?
Generally yes for ICAO operations, but not for flying EASA-registered aircraft inside EU airspace as PIC unless converted to an EASA medical.
Ready to start training for your UK CAA license?
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