Login here to start studying from home the 'online' PPL ground course using our modern distance learning web-based training (WBT) platform.
Course Requirements:
There are nine (9) subjects in the PPL(A) theoretical training syllabus, as follows: -
Common subjects:-
Subjects specific to the aircraft category (aeroplanes):-
There is no particular subject study order prescribed. However, there are natural synergies between subjects, for example: Air Law with Operational Procedures. Navigation with Flight Planning & Performance. As a rough guide, each subject takes 10-15 hours to study, with the mandatory minimum as follows:
PPL Stage 1 (Operational) | Hours |
Human Performance and Limitations (HPL) | 4 |
Air Law and ATC Procedures (AL) | 4 |
Operational Procedures (OP) | 2 |
Meteorology (MET) | 11 |
Communications (COM) | 3 |
PPL Stage 2 (Technical) | |
Principles of Flight (PoF) | 11 |
Aircraft General Knowledge (AGK) | 11 |
PPL Stage 3 (Navigation) | |
Navigation (NAV) | 13 |
Flight Performance & Planning (FPP) | 11 |
TOTAL Distance Learning (Home study) | 70 hours |
Residential 'classroom' Ground School (delivered over ZOOM) | + 30 hours |
EASA + UK CAA minimum requirement | 100 hours (Total) |
Fly EPT Spain has organized the PPL(A) theoretical ground course training for the nine (9) PPL exams through Cranfield Aviation Training School, an EASA and UK CAA approved ATO that offers students the opportunity to complete the entire course 100% online, using self-study Web-Based Training software.
Distance learning allows you to study from home, in your own time, at your own pace, around your own schedule, from anywhere in the world.
Our bespoke training software can be downloaded on a PC, Mac or iPad.
The PPL 'online' ground course comprises 100 hours mandatory training all recorded on your own personal course timer. You are required to undertake 70 hours of self-study home learning modules, followed by 30 hours of ground school 'brush up' study with your classroom attendance now delivered via CATS TV over live video-linked ZOOM, which means you can remain at home for the entire course.
The 5-day 'brush-up' ground school is scheduled just prior to the examinations and essentially involves going through the European Central Question Bank (ECQB) and recent mock exam papers, wading through questions likely to come up.
Once you are ready, you can visit any Austro Control GmbH test center anywhere in Europe and sit all nine (9) EASA PPL exams in one (1) day.
If you are pursuing a UK CAA PPL, UK exams can be sat in Luton, UK.
By the time you arrive at Fly EPT Spain, with all exams passed, you will be ready to complete the practical flight training with no restrictions whatsoever all the way to skill test.
PPL course options range from an online web-based training system to the printed key facts book series. The materials are designed to prepare you for the PPL brush-up ground school.
Subscribing to Fly EPT Spain's online PPL ground course includes access to the COMPLETE set of PPL Digital Study Guides produced in the UK by Cranfield Aviation Training School (CATS). These up-to-the-minute theoretical knowledge study guides offer a cost effective, concise, relevant and modern approach to learning all of the theoretical knowledge in accordance with the UK CAA and EASA Part-FCL PPL Syllabus. The Digital versions of the PPL Study Guides covers all the EASA and UK CAA Learning Objectives and important key facts which are highlighted in colour throughout. Includes: Self-assessment questions and an Indices.
WHAT IS INCLUDED: -
WHAT ISN'T INCLUDED:
Note: The following FCL.025 guidance is applicable for both the LAPL and PPL
The PPL theoretical exams comprises of all nine (9) required examination subject papers, and should all be sat on the same day. It is not possible to divide the exam subjects over several dates. Each PPL exam consists of between 12 and 20 questions. More details here. There are a total of 132 multiple-choice questions in the nine (9) exams. The minimum pass mark in each subject is 75%. Results will be shown after every finished test. In the case of a fail in one subject, the exam can be repeated at another sitting, usually about one month later. After your first exam attempt, all of the theoretical knowledge examinations need to be passed within an 18-month period, counted from the last day of the calendar month during which the applicant took the first exam. You can take each test 4 times, from a maximum of 6 attempt sittings in total. If you fail to pass each subject within four (4) attempts, or fail to pass all papers within the 18-month period, an applicant must repeat the entire set of examinations like a first attempt. But this is unheard of. If you are dedicated and passionate to succeed, you will pass. Once you have successfully passed all of the theoretical knowledge exams for the issue of a PPL, you will receive the official results and certificate from Austro Control GmbH, and they will be valid for 24 months. Within this 2-year period, before expiry of the exams, counted from the date you successfully completed your last exam, you must complete the practical flight training, pass the PPL skill test and apply to the authority for issue of your licence, otherwise the validity period of your PPL exam passes will expire and you will have to retake all nine (9) exams again as a second series.
The price of the ground course does NOT include the cost to sit the exams.
Student pilots can sit the EASA PPL exams at any Austro-Control GmbH test centre.
The price to sit the PPL exams can vary widely from one country to the next, anything up to €80/exam in Jordan. In Mallorca its €60/exam.
In Luton, UK, you can sit the EASA exams with Austro-Control for £35/exam (£315 total) and the UK CAA exams for £45/exam (£405 total).
However, Fly EPT Spain has secured a corporate discounted rate with the test centre in Luton, UK for the above price.
PPL exams can be sat at Son Bonet Airport (LESB), Palma de Mallorca. It is preferable, however, that you sit and pass all the exams before reporting for flight training in Palma de Mallorca as you can NOT fly solo or take the skill test until all the exams have been passed.
Other countries where you can sit the PPL exams include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Jordan, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, South Africa, Spain, USA and UK. You can download the full list here: -
NOTE: a new application form must be prepared before every exam sitting.
To book PPL exams with Transport Malta, fill in:
This 5-day pre-exam 'brush-up' course is delivered by live TV over ZOOM so you can stay at home.
The 'brush-up' course must be completed, or scheduled to be finished, before sitting the PPL exams.
Date | Start + End Time |
15-19 January 2024 | 09:30 - 17:00 (London) |
11-15 March 2024 | 09:30 - 17:00 (London) |
20-24 May 2024 | 09:30 - 17:00 (London) |
8-12 July 2024 | 09:30 - 17:00 (London) |
9-13 September 2024 | 09:30 - 17:00 (London) |
11-15 November 2024 | 09:30 - 17:00 (London) |
PPL ground school students who choose NOT to sit their exams in Luton will need to send themselves their completed counter-signed registration form directly to their chosen test centre 21 days before the examination date.
Austro-Control GmbH can only allocate a confirmed examination appointment date after receiving approval by the responsible flight school (ATO).
The following dates are confirmed for PPL examinations with Austro-Control GmbH in Luton, UK on: -
Date | Timings |
28, 29, 30 January 2025 | 08:45 - 10.15 10.30 - 12.45 13.30 - 15.45 |
25, 26, 27 February 2025 | 08:45 - 10.15 10.30 - 12.45 13.30 - 15.45 |
25, 26, 27 March 2025 | 08:45 - 10.15 10.30 - 12.45 13.30 - 15.45 |
28, 29, 30 April 2025 | 08:45 - 10.15 10.30 - 12.45 13.30 - 15.45 |
20, 21, 22 May 2025 | 08:45 - 10.15 10.30 - 12.45 13.30 - 15.45 |
24, 25, 26 June 2025 | 08:45 - 10.15 10.30 - 12.45 13.30 - 15.45 |
29, 30, 31 July 2025 | 08:45 - 10.15 10.30 - 12.45 13.30 - 15.45 |
26, 27, 28 August 2025 | 08:45 - 10.15 10.30 - 12.45 13.30 - 15.45 |
23, 24, 25 September 2025 | 08:45 - 10.15 10.30 - 12.45 13.30 - 15.45 |
28, 29, 30 October 2025 | 08:45 - 10.15 10.30 - 12.45 13.30 - 15.45 |
25, 26, 27 November 2025 | 08:45 - 10.15 10.30 - 12.45 13.30 - 15.45 |
16, 17, 18 December 2025 | 08:45 - 10.15 10.30 - 12.45 13.30 - 15.45 |
You can book the Hilton hotel across the road from the Luton Centre here. Select the 'Special Rates' tab. In Corporate Account, insert: N3068061 and you should receive a discounted rate along with free Wi-Fi, breakfast, at times a more flexible checkout as well as the ability to cancel up until the last minute (typically until 11:59 PM local hotel time the day before).
Hilton Garden Inn Luton North
Butterfield Business Park
Hitchin Rd,
Luton LU2 8DL
UK
Check Map here
CATS, Innovation Centre
110 Butterfield
Great Marlings
Luton
Bedfordshire LU2 8DL
UK
(t) +44 (0) 1582 434 222
Nearest Airport: London Luton (LTN / EGGW)
Check Map here
Certain nationals visiting the UK may require a 'Standard Visitor' Visa - UK Border Agency website
Check if you need a UK 'Standard Visitor' Visa here
Apply for a UK 'Standard Visitor' Visa here
The following dates are confirmed for PPL examinations with Austro-Control GmbH at Son Bonet Airport (LESB), Palma de Mallorca, Spain on: -
Date | Timings |
19, 20, 21 February 2024 | TBD |
15, 16, 17 April 2024 | TBD |
17, 18, 19 June 2024 | TBD |
22, 23 July 2024 | TBD |
28, 29, 30 August 2024 | TBD |
25, 26, 27 September 2024 | TBD |
TBD | |
27, 28, 29 November 2024 | TBD |
18, 19, 20 December 2024 | TBD |
The Aviation Centre
Son Bonet Aerodrome (LESB)
Palma de Mallorca, 07141
Spain
(t) +34 (0) 971 608 016
(m) +34 (0) 648 741 132 - WhatsApp
Nearest Airport: Palma de Mallorca (PMI / LEPA)
Check Map here
Many nationalities can enter Spain without a visa for periods of up to 90 days (in any 180-day period). More details here
Non-European students will need a Schengen Study Visa which enables you to remain in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180 days period.
Post-BREXIT, British nationals, can visit Spain without a visa. However, you must abide by the 90/180-day rule, which means you can stay for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days. For UK passport holders, more details here.
Students planning to remain in Spain for more than 90 days but less than 1 year should apply for a Type D national visa.
More details here
Please present yourself at the exam center 30 minutes before the start of the first exam.
If you arrive late, you will lose your right to sit the exam place reserved for you.
If you are unable to attend, please cancel an appointment at least 48 hours in advance.
The original Austro-Control signed application form and the confirmation receipt must be presented when entering the examination centre, along with a valid official photo ID (e.g., passport) that can prove the applicant’s identity. Without this, it is not possible to take the test.
While in the examinations, you must complete all 9 exams during the published times, so plan accordingly. It is entirely up to you in which order you do the exams. You have an iPad and table to yourself for the day so feel free to come and go between exams, you just need to make sure that the exams are finished before the end of the session.
Items ALLOWED in Austro-Control PPL exams: (with recommendations)
Items NOT allowed in the examination room: •Mobile phone •Laptop/tablet •Wristwatch digital or analog •Any lecture notes, handwritten or typed •ASA CX-3 Digital Flight Computer or similar
If you have any questions left or you experience any problems with the exam booking process, please do not hesitate to contact us
I wish you the very best of luck with your PPL exams !
Can I see the 'online' course timer?
PPL students do NOT have access to their course timer. The 70 hours of home study is made up of approved credit, based on the completion of online progress tests. This information can be found in the admin panel -> Student Name -> Time Spent. If students would like to request their time spent studying online, they are very welcome to contact the PPL ground school manager anytime.
Do I need a CRP mechanical flight computer?
Yes - a mechanical flight computer is required for the PPL exams. If you plan to progress to commercial ATPL after PPL, the CRP-5 is recommended. If PPL is solely the goal then CRP-1 is sufficient. There is also the E6B which is sufficient for both PPL and ATPL. I would avoid the CR3.
Watch all the tutorial videos how to use a CRP-5 here
Download: CRP-5-booklet - How to use the Flight Computer-.pdf
Check out the CRP 5 here