Private Pilot Licence

Private Pilot Licence

The first step in learning to become a pilot is to gain your private pilot’s licence or PPL (A) rating. The training for your PPL(A) is an exciting process and although challenging, is fun and unique. Once you have managed to obtain your private pilots licence this opens the door to many different options for you.

UK Private Pilot Licence (PPL) Course Structure

Learn to fly with confidence, clarity, and professional support.

At Booker Aviation, we offer high-quality PPL training at Wycombe Air Park under the UK CAA syllabus, providing you with the knowledge, skills, and experience to become a safe and competent private pilot. Whether you fly for pleasure, progression, or future commercial training, the PPL is your first major milestone in aviation.

🛫 Course Overview

The UK PPL (A) allows you to fly light aircraft as Pilot in Command (PIC) for non-commercial purposes. It is internationally recognised under ICAO standards and forms the foundation for future advanced ratings such as Night, Instrument, or CPL training.

📚 Course Breakdown

1. Flight Training – Minimum 45 Hours

  • 35 hours dual instruction (with a qualified instructor)
  • 10 hours supervised solo flight time, including:
    • 5 hours solo cross-country flying
    • One solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles, landing at two other aerodromes
  • Remainder: Consolidation and test preparation

Many students require more than the minimum hours—expect 60–70 as a realistic benchmark depending on ability and frequency of flying.

2. Ground School & Theoretical Exams

You must pass 9 multiple-choice exams, which can be taken throughout your training:

  • Air Law
  • Operational Procedures
  • Human Performance
  • Meteorology
  • Navigation
  • Flight Performance and Planning
  • Aircraft General Knowledge
  • Principles of Flight
  • Communications

Although these are self-study, we use a very intuitive learning platform (Easy PPL) which our students have had a lot of success with. You can book instructors for 1 to 1 ground school sessions if you need to.

3. Radiotelephony (RT) Licence

  • Complete practical and theoretical training in radio communication
  • Pass a Radiotelephony Practical Test to operate aircraft radios legally in controlled airspace

4. Skills Test

Once your training is complete, you’ll take a final flight test with an approved examiner. This includes:

  • General handling
  • Navigation
  • Emergency procedures
  • Radio communication

⏱️ Course Duration

  • Full-time: 6–10 weeks (weather and availability dependent)
  • Part-time / flexible: Commonly completed within 6–12 months

We work with you to create a personalised training schedule around your lifestyle and commitments.

💷 What’s Included?

  • Instruction in one of our well-maintained training aircraft (e.g. PA-28 or Cessna 152)
  • Access to briefing rooms and flight planning tools
  • Pre- and post-flight briefings
  • Fuel
  • Airfield and landing fees

Ask us about our PPL starter packages and Trial Lesson flights!

📍 Train at Wycombe Air Park

Our location offers:

  • Controlled and uncontrolled airspace exposure
  • Nearby practice areas and navigation routes
  • On-site maintenance, fuel, and briefing facilities
  • A welcoming aviation community

What can I do with my private pilots licence…..?

….Hire our Aeroplanes

Becoming an aeroplane pilot is a huge achievement. Private pilots who have trained with Booker Aviation and became club members are able to hire our aeroplanes at any time. We only charge for the amount of actual flying time that you do in them, and offer discounts if hours are purchased in large quantities. You could decide to take friends or family away for the weekend in the aeroplane you choose, and get there in a fraction of the time it would take by road!

New Aircraft Type Training

Booker Aviation offers you the opportunity to learn to fly many different aeroplane types. By doing a type training with our experienced instructors, you can learn to fly or become more comfortable and confident in even bigger or more diverse aircraft types, such as multi engine piston (MEP). This training you may want or need will vary depending on the person and your own personal experience levels, so get in touch with us today and we can talk through your options.

Buy an Aeroplane

Buying an aeroplane is not as expensive as you would think. Booker Aviation as part of the BEA group of companies, and is the exclusive Piper Aircraft dealer for the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands. We can help to guide you through the buying process as comfortably as possible, helping you make an informed buying decision with support from an experienced and professional aviation operation. For more information on buying an aeroplane, please visit our ‘buying an aeroplane’ page by clicking here.

Maintaining Your Aeroplane PPL(A) Licence

Once you have obtained your PPL (A), it is important that you remain in practice. It is therefore a CAA requirement that you fly a minimum of 2 hours per annum, as well as take an annual proficiency test. Booker Aviation can help you with both of these requirements.

Find Out More about the PPL(A) Course at Booker Aviation

To find out more about this course, why not call us on +44 (0) 1494 443737 and arrange to pop in and chat to a member of our team about where to start.

Contact Us