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The dream of flying is as old as mankind itself. I fulfilled my dream of flying airplanes as a pilot and it seems that you have the same desire. In this blog post, I will tell you what it takes to obtain a private pilot license and share with you the steps necessary. How long does it take? How much does it cost and how to become a private pilot FAST? It definitely ain’t rocket science and if you have the same excitement for flying as me you will easily fulfil our dream. (All requirements and regulations are based on the European aviation authority)

Flying The Small Birds
In my latest question and answer videos on my Instagram page, I noticed that so many of you had questions on how to become a private pilot to fly small planes just for fun. I am currently operating piston-engine aeroplanes regularly since I completed my flight training to become a flight instructor. My flight students train VFR flying to obtain the PPL (private pilot license), the LAPL (light airplane pilot license) and the ATPL (airline transport pilot license). You probably have heard of the PPL but the LAPL might sound new to you. It is a way to fly light airplanes faster. I will share more information about this license later in this article.
Check out this blog post in case you are interested in “How To Become A Flight Instructor”.


The Private Pilot License
The license of PPL(A) (EASA-FCL), which stands for Private Pilot’s License European Aviation Safety Agency Flight Crew Licensing. I am glad that we have so many abbreviations in the aviation language. This license allows you to fly two and four-seater aircraft (such as our Cessnas C-172) in Germany as well as abroad, whereby it is valid only for one-engine aircraft which have a maximum permissible gross of two tons. The license can later be expanded by further licenses or class ratings. (like Instrument flying or multi-engine ratings.)
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an
Ein Beitrag geteilt von Patrick Biedenkapp | Captain (@pilotpatrick)
Requirements
- Sec. 23 para. 2 Air Traffic Licensing Order (LuftVZO): minimum age to start training is 16 (license qualification with age of 17)
- Aviation medical class 2
- Declaration of pending criminal proceedings (Sec. 24 para. 3 no. 3 and 4 Air Traffic Licensing Order)
- Extract of German Federal Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Drivers (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt) (Sec. 30 para. 8 of Road Traffic Act (StVG))
The following documents are needed in the course of the training:
- Radio Telephony Certificate (BZF) – (is being acquired in parallel to the flight training)
- Security background check
My insider tip: Before searching for a flight school in your preferred location, I would do the medical examination first so you know that you are fit to become a pilot.

Find A Suitable Flight School
Finding the right flight school is probably the most difficult task on the way to becoming a pilot. The quality of your training highly depends on the flight school and their instructors. Let Google do the job for you to find flight schools at your preferred location.
My insider tips:
- Talk to former flight students and ask them for their opinion on the flight school
- Visit them personally before signing a contract. Maybe they have an “open day” to get to know the flight school.
- Check the size and state of the fleet of aeroplanes. A small fleet could cause your flight missions to be cancelled more often because of technical issues.
- Take your first flight lesson as a test to see if you like it and feel comfortable with the school.
Pricing for a private pilot license (flight school around Berlin):


Theoretical training
The theoretical part of the training contains 6 training subjects. In addition, there will be the theory for the Radio Telephony Certificate.
- Technics (aerodynamics, aircraft knowledge)
- Navigation
- Meteorology
- Air Law
- Human Performance
- behaviour in exceptional situations
- Radio Telephony Certificate (BZF) theory
Practical training
The practical part of the training contains 45 flight lessons, 10 lesson hours of which have to be flown without a flight instructor (solo), whereby again at least 5 lesson hours of which need to be cross country flights. One of these cross country flights need to have a minimum flight route of 270 km containing two stops at foreign airports. Furthermore, controlled airports have to be approached as part of the training. On top of that, the training contains instructions in instrument rating and radio navigation. You also practice different airwork flight patterns to get to know the behaviour of the aeroplane in critical flight conditions.
Examinations
The training will be completed by a theoretical and a practical examination. For logical reasons, the theoretical examination will be taken after the student pilot’s first solo-flight, whereby all subjects of the theoretical training will be examined by means of multiple choice. The practical examination will be taken at the end of the training when you will fly together with an examiner for about 60 minutes.

How To Become A Private Pilot (fast)
There are a few ways to become a private pilot a little bit quicker. In general, it takes a minimum of two months for flight training. Once you have passed your examinations you have to apply for the license and your aviation authority in charge. This can take another few weeks. It took the German LBA over 6 months to issue my flight instructor license. This is definitely not acceptable in our faced-paced aviation world.
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Easing of training restrictions
If you have a license for gliding, it is possible to reduce the flying time by 10 %, whereby a maximum of 10 flight hours can be accepted.
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Pick the right time of the year
Your VFR flight training highly depends on the weather. If the weather is below VFR minimums, you will not be able to fly so the flight mission needs to be cancelled. So pick a time of the year for your location in which you have the best flying weather. In case you are in doubt, ask the flight school for the best starting time.
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Have all your papers and documents ready
Before you start with your flight training, make sure that you have all the papers on board and requirements fulfilled.
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Light aeroplane pilot license
The LAPL allows you to become a pilot quicker. The downside is that you will not be able to add class ratings like IFR or multi-engine. Additionally, you are only allowed to fly within the European Union with a maximum of 3 passengers on board in aeroplanes that weigh below two tons. The advantage is that you only need 30 flight hours in total and the costs are reduced by about 25%, so a total of 8,000€ approximately.
My insider tip: GO for the full Private pilot license which allows you to fly globally.

I hope you find my blog post on “How To Become A Private Pilot (fast)” helpful and could clarify some uncertainties. Make sure to like the post and share it with others who might be interested in this topic.
Drop me an e-mail to flightstudent@pilotpatrick.com, in case you are searching for a flight school in Berlin. I am happy to help you out and maybe I will even be your flight instructor.
Always happy landings!
Your PilotPatrick
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Der Blog ist wirklich gut geschrieben Für mich würde ich gerne eine Runde mit dir zu fliegen um zu sehen ob es was für mich war️ Ich wünsche Dir einen schönen Sonntag Spaßtag Liebe Grüße Alf
WOW!Great valuable in depth information, clearly presented for future aviators. Excellent presentation. Thank you Captain Patrick.
The article is detailed, full of information, and it is very useful for those who want to become a private jet pilot. through this article they can know what they need to do to become a private Pilot(fast) Thank you for sharing and have a beautiful Sunday, my lovely Captain
Ciao PATRICK , in questo articolo svelerò più di me, nella mia famiglia ci sono aviatori , dopo aver fatto tirocinio nel mio aeroporto di BARI /ITALIA/MY PUGLIA, HO ESEGUITO UN CORSO PRIVATO ATPL, COME DONNA NON CERCO NOTORIETÀ, SONO MOLTO CONOSCIUTA , SONO ENTRATA SUBITO A LAVORARE PER ALCUNE COMPAGNIE DI VOLO, APPARTENGO AL MONDO DELL’AERONAUTICA MILITARE ITALIANA, SONO UNA VETERANA DELLE MISSIONI ESTERE, ENTRARE NELL’AVIAZIONE CIVILE È STATO FACILE PER ME ..POSSEDEVO ALCUNI INGRESSI LIBERI , E’ ANDATO TUTTO BENE..IL MIO OBBIETTIVO ORA È DI FERMARMI UN PO’.. CREDO CHE SIA GIUSTO AVERE UN BAMBINO E UNA FAMIGLIA.. FORSE SBAGLIO, FORSE NO.. CHISSÀ… IL PRIMO PASSO È STATO REALIZZATO …ORA TOCCA IL SECONDO PASSO.. CHISSÀ SE UN GIORNO SARÒ UNA BRAVA MAMMA !! PARAGONABILE ALLA MIA BRAVURA PROFESSIONALE!.. NON SONO FELICE DI ESSERE UN CAPITANO DONNA, SAREI SUPER FELICE DI ESSERE MAMMA. Take off ✈️ and Happy landing for you.
I have no ambition to become a pilot but I would love to read your articles on how to become a pilot and the stages of studying and taking the exam to get a license. Probably because your blogging style is easy to understand, coherent and appealing to me. I believe your article will be very helpful for those who want to become a pilot. Best wishes to the talented captain, who is also a dedicated and enthusiastic flight instructor. Especially he is so handsome 🙂 🙂 🙂
I think these is what all the flight students or future pilots want to know for their piloting careers !!
Very helpful and informative blog post . Easy to understand all the steps , requirements and procedures how to become a private pilot in a faster way . Yes gotta be smart to pick the right choice as in nursing we have LPN and RN just like LAPL and PPL 🙂 I always recommend others to pick the better one 🙂
Very informative!!
A great read.
Jan x
Hello, great work ✌
This is Super Awesome !!
Greetings from Indonesia
The most informative blog ever. You discuss aspects, including the cost that have to be prepared. It is extremely useful for future pilot students. Keep inspiring, PP
Very nicely written, and a clear overview of what’s necessary.. Keep up the good work Patrick,… and may you inspire many, young and old to take to the skies!! ( and land safely 🙂 )
Bạn rất tuyệt vời,nhưng sự tuyệt vời của bạn đem đến biết bao nhiêu sự lừa dối của những kẻ giả danh bạn đi lừa gạt biết bao cô gái, họ là những nạn nhân mất hết lý trí lẫn vật chất, tôi đã phải vì bạn mà giúp đỡ biết bao nhiêu nạn nhân đó,nhưng giờ cũng còn có rất nhiều sự lừa đảo đó,tôi thấy rất tội nghiệp,tôi rất ngưỡng mộ bạn,chúc bạn cùng gia đình ,sức khỏe hạnh phúc
Hello dear Patrick! Thank you so much ! Wish you 100% good luck in everything! You are talented , wonderful, so brave and strong , my captain! Very interesting read your recoments . Wish you inspation dear and all the best , your guarding WhiteAngel ❤️❤️ always easy take off and happy landing to you my best captain ❤️
Đúng như vậy luôn bạn . Rất nhiều phụ nữ Việt và nước ngoài bị kẻ mạo danh là P lừa cả tình lẫn tiền . Thật bất hạnh cho họ !
Hallo
Wie geht’s?
Ich habe begging lerne Deutsch für Berlin Flug.
The post about become pilot is really well done, topics and details. My question is about the age. Is it limit oge age, about to be a pilot?
Danke Patrick!
Patrick! Thank you for the very useful information!
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