{{Short description|European license for small aircraft}} The '''light aircraft pilot licence''' ('''LAPL''') is a [[Pilot licensing and certification|pilot license]] allowing the pilot to fly small [[aircraft]]. It is issued in [[European Union Aviation Safety Agency|EASA]] member states and the United Kingdom. Unlike most other licences, it is not covered by the [[ICAO]] framework and is usually not applicable in other states or regulatory areas.
Since October 2025, as a result of UK CAA Licensing and Training Simplification (LaTS), the LAPL(A) is no longer issued by the [[Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom)|CAA]] in the UK, although existing LAPL(A) holders can still exercise the privileges of that licence. They will also still need a LAPL medical issued under Part-MED. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Licensing & training simplification {{!}} UK Civil Aviation Authority |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/general-aviation/pilot-licences/licensing-training-simplification/ |access-date=2026-04-01 |website=www.caa.co.uk}}</ref>
==Privileges==
Separate LAPLs are issued for aeroplanes, helicopters, [[sailplane]]s (gliders) and balloons.
For aeroplanes, holders of an LAPL may act as [[pilot in command]] of single-engine piston aeroplanes or touring motor gliders with a maximum certificated take-off mass of 2,000 kg or less, carrying a maximum of 3 passengers.<ref name="Part-FCL"/>{{rp|FCL.105.A}}
For helicopters, holders of an LAPL may act as pilot in command of single-engine helicopters with a maximum certificated take-off mass of 2,000 kg or less, carrying a maximum of 3 passengers.<ref name="Part-FCL"/>{{rp|FCL.105.H}}
For sailplanes, holders of an LAPL may act as pilot in command of sailplanes and powered sailplanes.<ref name="Part-FCL"/>{{rp|FCL.105.S}}
For balloons, holders of an LAPL may act as pilot in command of hot-air balloons or hot-air airships with a maximum of 3,400 m<sup>3</sup> envelope capacity or gas balloons with a maximum of 1,260 m<sup>3</sup>, carrying a maximum of 3 passengers.<ref name="Part-FCL"/>{{rp|FCL.105.S}}
==Requirements==
LAPL applicants must be at least 17 years old for aeroplanes and helicopters, or 16 years old for sailplanes and balloons.<ref name="Part-FCL"/>{{rp|FCL.100}}
===Recency=== To use the licence, an LAPL holder needs to have, in the last 24 months, as pilot of an aeroplane or TMG:<ref name="Part-FCL">[https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/Part-FCL.pdf EASA Part FCL]</ref>{{rp|FCL.140.A}} *12 hours of flight time as pilot in charge, including 12 take-offs and landings, *refresher training of at least 1 hour of total flight time with an instructor.
==Legal basis== The LAPL was introduced in 2012. <ref name="Wilcock">{{cite journal |last1=Wilcock |first1=Nick |title=The NPPL and the LAPL |journal=General Aviation |date=February 2012 |page=16 |url=https://www.iaopa.eu/mediaServlet/storage/gamag/feb12/p16-18.pdf |access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref> In October 2025 the UK LAPL(A) was superseded by the [[National Private Pilot Licence|NPPL]], with no new licenses issued by the CAA.<ref name=":0" />
=== European Union and EASA member states === The EU LAPL is defined in the Regulation (EU) No. 1178./2011. Compared to the ICAO licence on the level of a PPL the requirements, skill tests, and privileges are lowered. The rules and requirements for the license are stated in Part-FCL of the Regulation (EU) No. 1178./2011.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Licensing for General Aviation|url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/domains/general-aviation/licensing-general-aviation|access-date=2021-10-25|website=EASA|language=en}}</ref>
=== United Kingdom === When the United Kingdom left the EASA system at the end of 2020, EASA Part-FCL was retained in UK law as UK Part-FCL. As such, the UK continues to issue LAPLs, however these are not compatible with the EASA LAPL.<ref name="UK LAPL">{{cite web |title=Medical requirements for private pilots - LAPL |publisher=Civil Aviation Authority |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/general-aviation/pilot-licences/applications/medical/medical-requirements-for-private-pilots/ |website=www.caa.co.uk |access-date=23 February 2022}}</ref>
==See also== *[[EASA pilot licensing]] *[[Pilot licensing in the United Kingdom]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
[[Category:Aviation licenses and certifications]] [[Category:Aviation safety in Europe]]
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