PPL(H)
Private Pilot Licence — Helicopters
The standard EASA private helicopter licence. It allows non-commercial helicopter flying as pilot-in-command, subject to the type rating held, medical validity, recency and applicable operational rules.
QUALIFICATION OVERVIEW
What is the PPL(H)?
The PPL(H) is the Private Pilot Licence for helicopters. It is intended for pilots who want to fly helicopters privately, carry passengers without remuneration and build a foundation for further helicopter training.
Compared with LAPL(H), the PPL(H) is the more standard private helicopter licence. It is normally a better platform for pilots who may later add night privileges, instrument training, commercial helicopter training or additional helicopter type ratings.
ENTRY AND COMPLETION PROFILE
Requirements at a glance
TYPE OF FLIGHT
Helicopter
Private helicopter flying on the helicopter type for which the pilot holds valid privileges.
MINIMUM AGE
17 years for licence issue
The licence cannot be issued until the applicant is at least 17 years old, although training may begin earlier.
EDUCATION REQUIRED
No formal degree
No academic degree is required, but helicopter training requires strong discipline, coordination, theoretical study and situational awareness.
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
Class 2 minimum
A valid Class 2 medical certificate is normally required for PPL(H). A valid Class 1 also covers the requirement.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
None required
The course can be started from zero. Previous flight experience may allow limited credit depending on category and authority rules.
ESTIMATED DURANTION
6-18 months
Duration depends on flying frequency, weather, aircraft availability, instructor continuity and the time needed to master helicopter handling.
COMPLETE ESTIMATED COST
€25,000–€50,000+
Budget for helicopter rental, instructor time, fuel, landing fees, exams, medical, equipment, skill test, licence issue and extra practice beyond the minimum.
PREVIOUS LICENCE REQUIRED
None
No previous licence is required, although aeroplane or other aviation experience may help with radio, navigation and air law.
FINAL RESULT OBTAINED
PPL(H)
The licence is issued with privileges linked to the helicopter type used for training and skill test, subject to type-rating validity and recency.
STANDARD ROUTE
How to obtain it
The PPL(H) route combines theoretical knowledge, dual helicopter instruction, supervised solo flying, navigation, emergency training and a skill test.
01
Choose an ATO or DTO approved for PPL(H)
Confirm the helicopter type used, aircraft availability, instructor continuity, full cost estimate and whether the school can prepare you for the complete skill test.
02
Obtain a Class 2 medical certificate
Complete the medical before solo flying and preferably before making a major financial commitment to helicopter training.
03
Complete theoretical knowledge training
Study the private-pilot helicopter subjects, including air law, human performance, meteorology, communications, principles of flight, operational procedures, performance, aircraft knowledge and navigation.
04
Pass the theoretical examinations
Each required subject must be passed through the competent authority or delegated examination system before licence issue.
05
Complete at least 45 hours of flight instruction
The minimum includes at least 25 hours of dual instruction and at least 10 hours of supervised solo flight time. At least 35 hours must be completed on the same helicopter type used for the skill test.
06
Complete the solo cross-country requirement
The supervised solo time must include at least 5 hours of solo cross-country, including one flight of at least 185 km or 100 NM with full-stop landings at two aerodromes different from the departure aerodrome.
07
Develop helicopter command skills
Training includes hover, take-off and landing, autorotation, emergency handling, navigation, low-speed manoeuvring, confined-area awareness and safe decision-making.
08
Pass the PPL(H) skill test
The examiner assesses safe handling, navigation, procedures, emergencies and ability to operate as pilot-in-command on the helicopter type used for the test.
09
Keep type rating and medical valid
After licence issue, the pilot must maintain the helicopter type rating, medical certificate, recency and any differences or familiarisation requirements.
THEORICAL KNOWLEDGE
Mandatory PPL(H) subjects
The PPL(H) theoretical course covers the core private-pilot knowledge needed to operate helicopters safely in VFR operations.
010
Air Law
Rules of the air, licensing, airspace, aerodrome procedures, responsibilities and helicopter operating rules.
020
Aircraft General Knowledge
Rotor systems, transmission, engines, fuel, electrics, instruments, controls and the systems of light training helicopters.
030
Flight Performance and Planning
Mass and balance, hover performance, take-off and landing performance, fuel planning, limitations and route preparation.
040
Human Performance
Fatigue, stress, workload, vision, decision-making, situational awareness and human limitations in helicopter flying.
050
Meteorology
Weather systems, wind, visibility, cloud, turbulence, reports, forecasts and weather risks for low-level VFR helicopter operations.
060
Navigation
Charts, headings, tracks, wind correction, time and distance calculations, visual navigation and flight-log preparation.
070
Operational Procedures
Normal and emergency procedures, confined areas, low-level operations, wake turbulence, risk management and safety practices.
080
Principles of Flight
Rotor aerodynamics, lift, drag, dissymmetry of lift, translational lift, autorotation, vortex ring state and helicopter control.
090
Communications
Radiotelephony phraseology, frequencies, emergency calls, clearances and communication with air traffic services.
PRIVILEDGE AND LIMITATIONS
What can you fly?
A PPL(H) holder may act as pilot-in-command or co-pilot in non-commercial helicopter operations, within the privileges of the licence and valid type rating held.
Main priviledges
- Private, non-commercial helicopter flying.
- Carry passengers without remuneration.
- Exercise LAPL(H) privileges where applicable.
- Use the licence as a foundation for further helicopter ratings and professional training.
Important limitations
- Commercial flying requires CPL(H) or higher privileges.
- Helicopter type rating validity must be maintained.
- Additional helicopter types require appropriate type-rating training and testing.
- Medical, recency and operational requirements still apply.
TYPE RATING
What type rating is obtained?
Helicopter privileges are normally type-specific. When the PPL(H) is first issued after training and skill test on a qualifying helicopter, the student receives privileges for that helicopter type.
Flying another helicopter type requires the appropriate type-rating course and skill test. Differences or familiarisation training may also be required between variants.
VALIDITY AND RECENCY
Does the LAPL(H) expire?
The PPL(H) licence itself is not normally treated like a fixed-expiry rating, but the helicopter type rating has its own validity and must be kept current.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Estimated complete cost
INDICATIVE RANGE PLANNING
€25,000–€50,000+
Helicopter PPL costs are highly dependent on helicopter type, school, fuel price, country, landing fees and additional training required.
Check whether the quotation includes
- Ground school and theory materials
- Helicopter rental and instructor time
- Fuel, landing and handling fees
- Solo cross-country costs
- Theoretical examination fees
- Skill-test and examiner fees
- Medical certificate
- Headset, charts, apps and equipment
- Licence issue and type-rating fees
- Extra training beyond the minimum
DIFFICULTY ESTIMATE
Demanding
The PPL(H) is more technically demanding than most entry-level aeroplane licences because helicopter control, hovering, autorotation, confined-area awareness and emergency handling require precision and continuity.
4
out of 5 · Demanding
REGULATORY BASIS
Check the current rules before acting
Last reviewed:Â 8 July 2026
This page is based on EASA Easy Access Rules for Aircrew, including Part-FCL provisions for PPL(H): privileges, theoretical knowledge, experience requirements, crediting and skill test. National authority procedures, examination systems and fees can vary.