A Private Pilot Licence allows you to fly aircraft as the pilot-in-command. It’s your first step into aviation. With a PPL, you can fly yourself, family, and friends for leisure trips. But you cannot receive payment or fly for commercial purposes.
The PPL is recognised worldwide and opens doors to both recreational flying and professional aviation careers. Whether you dream of weekend flying or plan to become an fully-fledged airline pilot, the PPL is where your journey begins. It shows you have the essential knowledge to operate aircraft safely.
We offer both PPL(A) and PPL(H).
Our courses include guided lessons on all 9 PPL subjects, exam-style quizzes, and subject videos. You can study on PC, Mac, or iPad – online or offline, wherever you are.
Choose your course type:
- EASA PPL Course – For students taking exams in EU member states
- UK CAA PPL Course – For students taking exams in the UK
Important: We cannot guarantee suitability for non-EASA or non-UK CAA examinations. If you’re taking exams with a different authority, please contact them first to confirm requirements.
Not sure which course you need? Contact our team for guidance.
Purchase PPL(A) Computer-Based Training Theory Course
Purchase PPL(H) Computer-Based Training Theory Course
Before You Start Your PPL Journey
Before embarking on your Private Pilot Licence journey, there are a few important prerequisites and considerations to keep in mind. Don’t worry, there aren’t that many, and it isn’t as extensive as other licences, such as the CPL or ATPL.
Age requirements
You can start your PPL theory course at 14 years old, and you can also log flying hours towards your licence from the age of 14. You’ll need to be 16 before your first solo flight and 17 to get your full licence issued.
Medical certificate
You’ll need a valid CAA Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate before your first solo flight. We recommend getting this early to avoid any delays in your training.
PPL Theory Course Cost Breakdown
Course Price: £276.00
What’s included in the price:
- ATPdigital CBT software (PC, Mac, iPad compatible)
- PPL subject videos
- 12-month access to the BGS Question Bank
- Technical software support throughout your studies
Additional costs to budget for:
- PPL exam fees – Set by each exam authority (9 exams total to complete your licence)
Essential equipment for your studies:
- CRP-5 navigation computer – for flight planning calculations
- Commercial navigation protractor – for chart work
- Precision drawing set – for accurate plotting
- Exam approved calculator – for performance calculations
- Appropriate VFR charts depending on your examining authority
- 1:500 000/1:250 000 NM Ruler
Included with our Private Pilot Licence Theory Course
✓ Guided lessons on every PPL theory subject
Work your way through lessons for each of the 9 PPL subjects, tailored to reflect the PPL learning objectives.
Get an in-depth understanding of each topic with detailed explanations, images, and diagrams.
✓ Learn and revise from anywhere with ATPdigital
ATPdigital is Bristol Groundschool’s bespoke training software which can be downloaded on PC, Mac, or iPad.
Study and revise online or offline from anywhere, at any time.
✓ Test your PPL theory knowledge
Built-in tests and end-of-lesson quizzes are presented in an exam-style format.
Watch your knowledge grow and track your progress using ATPdigital’s student dashboard.
✓ Sharpen up with study guides
There’s no need to buy extra books to learn or revise with our built-in study guides for each of the 9 PPL subjects.
Perfect for sharpening your knowledge to help you hit exam day with confidence.
✓ Watch PPL Videos to help you study
Access the Bristol Groundschool PPL Video Library, featuring subject-specific videos delivered by our expert instructors.
The PPL Video Library is designed to support students preparing for both EASA and UK CAA licences.
✓ Access the BGS Question Bank for 12 months
With 100s of PPL-specific questions, the BGS Question Bank is the essential exam revision tool.
Revise easily with the ability to filter questions by topic, subject, and keywords to create your own tests.
Applicable to the EASA and UK CAA PPL syllabus
Get Started learning for your PPL(A) exams today
Get Started learning for your PPL(H) exams today
Testimonials
“I’ve used several resources to work with towards my PPL exams and yours was the best one I purchased. What I liked was that you guys have nailed the key points into something easy to digest and to understand.
I have now passed my EASA PPL (A) exams and I’ve also just completed the practical check ride and I’m now a private pilot.
Thanks for your help and resource material in helping me pass my exams.”
Brian Carlin – PPL Student
“I have been using the BGS PPL and studied various subjects including Navigation which is tricky. I really like the computer-based training material, and find the course content and the quizzes to be excellent. Hopefully it will help me blitz my 9 exams in the next month.
The system split by subject, followed by short, then longer quizzes keeps you focussed and helps the learning experience. Also, I find the course materials pretty practical. I am enjoying the learning experience.”
Doug Halkett – PPL Student
“I’ve found the course really detailed, the content is great and the tests after each lesson have been supportive.”
Ankita – PPL Student
Your Aviation Journey Starts Here
Starting with a PPL opens up a world of aviation opportunities. Whether you want to fly for pleasure or build a career, your licence grows with your ambitions. With it, you can gain valuable skills that allow you to transition into other commercial licences, such as:
- Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) for paid flying work
- Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) for airline careers
- Instrument Rating (IR) for all-weather flying
- Multi-engine ratings for advanced aircraft
The best part? The theory you learn for your PPL directly supports every future licence. You’re not just studying for one qualification – you’re building knowledge that will serve your entire aviation career.
PPL theory examinations and obtaining your private pilot licence
There is no formal ground school requirement associated with PPL theory training. Therefore you can book your exams with either the UK CAA or your chosen EASA state once you are ready to sit them.
The PPL examination duration and the number of questions vary significantly between examining authorities. Most require you to sit 9 examinations, but in some states, the subjects Air Law and Operational Procedures are examined together and in other states, all examinations must be taken on the same day. You have 18 months to pass all the exams, starting at the end of the calendar month in which you pass your first exam. You are allowed a maximum of four attempts per exam.
Once you have passed all nine exams, you must apply to have your licence issued within two years of passing your final exam – otherwise, you will have to resit them all. You will also need to get a Flight Radio Telephony Operators Licence (FRTOL) by passing a practical Radio Telephony test, and a Class 1 or Class 2 aviation medical certificate.
Studying the BGS PPL Course
An introduction to studying PPL using our computer-based training material (CBT). Includes text and images © Airplan Flight Equipment / Jeremy M Pratt.
The Private Pilot’s Licence Course Modules
There are nine subjects in the PPL theory syllabus, each one is assessed by an exam. You must pass all nine exams to gain your PPL.
- Air Law – covering the rules and regulations governing aviation
- Aircraft General Knowledge (AGK) – including aircraft design and systems, instrumentation, electrics, engines, and emergency equipment
- Flight Planning & Performance – learn how to do important pre-flight calculations to ensure you have sufficient fuel, runway length, and so on
- Human Performance & Limitations (HPL) – covering the psychological and physiological effects of flight
- Meteorology – learn what causes different weather conditions, how they affect flight, and how to interpret aviation forecasts
- Navigation – basic navigation theory and use of electronic navigation aids
- Operational Procedures (OP) – covers the standard procedures that you must follow when operating aircraft
- Principles of Flight (PoF) – aerodynamics, how aircraft fly, and how different variables affect lift and drag
- Communications – how to communicate using radiotelephony
Many pilots opt to study the PPL theory in three or more blocks or modules, reducing the number of exams attempted at each sitting.
Bristol Groundschool introduction to studying the Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) theory course – UK CAA
Bristol Groundschool introduction to studying the Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) theory course – EASA
Private Pilot Licence FAQs
How difficult are these subjects and exams?
Learning how to fly a plane isn’t easy, but it is exciting! Our training software, ATPdigital, gives you all the knowledge you need to pass your theory exams – guiding you through your learning step by step with tests at the end of each lesson.
How much time will it take me to complete the study?
This depends mainly on your existing knowledge and the amount of time you can dedicate each week to studying. Each of the nine modules typically requires a minimum of around eight to twelve hours of study to get exam ready.
Do I have to complete the exams before starting flight training?
No, you can study in parallel with your practical flight training. Some would say this is the best option because the theory that you learn can immediately be applied in the real world.
Does our PPL course include any ground school tuition?
Our course does not include any tuition. The course is studied using our e-learning software ATPdigital which contains lessons and progress tests to help you learn your PPL theory.
What are the hardware requirements?
Our training software, ATPdigital, runs on any modern Windows, Mac or iPad device.
Will I get a certificate upon completion?
Yes, we provide (upon request) completion certificates for students who purchase and complete our PPL CBT course. To request your PPL CBT course completion certificate, please contact our team at [email protected].
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Read our FAQ guide about PPL theory and exams.
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