QUALIFICATION OVERVIEW
The LAPL(H) is the Light Aircraft Pilot Licence for helicopters. It is designed for private, non-commercial helicopter flying in relatively light single-engine helicopters.
It is more limited than a PPL(H). The privileges are restricted to single-engine helicopters with a maximum certificated take-off mass of 2,000 kg or less, with no more than four persons on board including the pilot.
ENTRY AND COMPLETION PROFILE
TYPE OF FLIGHT
Private helicopter flying on eligible single-engine helicopters, subject to type privileges and recency.
MINIMUM AGE
You may start training earlier, but the licence cannot be issued until the applicant meets the minimum age requirement.
EDUCATION REQUIRED
No academic degree is required, but helicopter training demands strong discipline, situational awareness, coordination and theoretical study.
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
A LAPL medical certificate is the minimum. A valid Class 2 or Class 1 medical also covers the medical requirement.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
The course can be started from zero. Prior PIC experience may be credited after a pre-entry flight test, within EASA limits.
ESTIMATED DURANTION
The real duration depends on student availability, aircraft scheduling, weather, instructor continuity and how quickly hover and handling skills develop.
COMPLETE ESTIMATED COST
Helicopter training is expensive. Budget for aircraft time, instructor time, fuel, landing fees, exams, medical, equipment, skill test and extra practice.
PREVIOUS LICENCE REQUIRED
No earlier licence is required, although aeroplane, microlight or glider experience may help with air law, navigation and radio confidence.
FINAL RESULT OBTAINED
The licence is issued with privileges for the helicopter type and variant used during the skill test, subject to LAPL(H) limitations.
STANDARD ROUTE
The LAPL(H) route combines theoretical knowledge, dual instruction, solo flight, solo navigation and a skill test on a specific helicopter type.
01
Confirm the helicopter type used, total price, availability and whether the school can conduct the full course and skill-test preparation.
02
A LAPL medical is the minimum. It should be completed before solo flying and ideally before committing to the full training cost.
03
Study the private-pilot helicopter knowledge areas, including air law, meteorology, navigation, helicopter systems, performance and human factors.
04
The competent authority or delegated examination system assesses the required subjects before licence issue.
05
At least 35 of those hours must be flown on the helicopter type used for the skill test. The course includes at least 20 hours dual instruction and 10 hours supervised solo.
06
The supervised solo time must include at least 5 hours of solo cross-country, including one flight of at least 150 km or 80 NM with a full-stop landing away from the departure aerodrome.
07
The instructor must be satisfied that you can operate safely, control the helicopter precisely, manage emergencies, navigate and make sound decisions.
08
The examiner assesses handling, navigation, procedures, emergency management and safe operation of the helicopter type used for the test.
09
After issue, LAPL(H) privileges can only be exercised on a specific type if the recency requirements for that type are met.
THEORICAL KNOWLEDGE
The LAPL(H) theoretical course covers the core knowledge needed to operate helicopters safely in private VFR operations.
010
Rules of the air, licensing, airspace, aerodrome procedures, responsibilities and helicopter operating rules.
020
Rotor systems, transmission, engines, fuel, electrics, instruments, controls and the systems of light training helicopters.
030
Mass and balance, hover performance, take-off and landing performance, fuel planning, limitations and route preparation.
040
Fatigue, stress, workload, vision, decision-making, situational awareness and human limitations in helicopter flying.
050
Weather systems, wind, visibility, cloud, turbulence, reports, forecasts and weather risks for low-level VFR helicopter operations.
060
Charts, headings, tracks, wind correction, time and distance calculations, visual navigation and flight-log preparation.
070
Normal and emergency procedures, confined areas, low-level operations, wake turbulence, risk management and safety practices.
080
Rotor aerodynamics, lift, drag, dissymmetry of lift, translational lift, autorotation, vortex ring state and helicopter control.
090
Radiotelephony phraseology, frequencies, emergency calls, clearances and communication with air traffic services.
PRIVILEDGE AND LIMITATIONS
A LAPL(H) holder may act as PIC in non-commercial operations on eligible single-engine helicopters, but only within specific LAPL(H) limits.
TYPE AND VARIAN PRIVILEGES
The LAPL(H) is limited to the specific helicopter type and variant used for the skill test. This is different from many light aeroplane licences, where a broader class rating may be common.
For another variant of the same helicopter type, differences or familiarisation training may be required and must be recorded and signed in the pilot logbook.
VALIDITY AND RECENCY
The LAPL(H) licence itself is not normally treated like a fixed-expiry rating, but its privileges may only be exercised on a specific type if the recency requirements are met.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
INDICATIVE RANGE PLANNING
Helicopter training costs vary significantly by country, school, helicopter type, fuel price and student progress.
DIFFICULTY ESTIMATE
The LAPL(H) has lower privileges than PPL(H), but helicopter handling, hovering, emergencies, autorotation and low-level decision-making make it technically demanding.
out of 5 · Demanding
REGULATORY BASIS
Last reviewed:Â 8 July 2026
This page is based on the EASA Easy Access Rules for Aircrew, including Part-FCL provisions for LAPL(H): FCL.105.H, FCL.110.H, FCL.135.H and FCL.140.H. National authority procedures, examination systems and fees can vary.