A good indication that you are an aviation enthusiast is the desire to be in the skies and fly an airplane someday. However, to turn this desire into a workable goal, important questions have to be answered around the topic of certification. One of such important questions is: what airplanes can you fly with a PPL?
PPL holders can fly virtually all types of airplanes provided they have the right certification and do not receive compensation for their services. With a PPL, you can fly planes within the single-engine category like the cessna 172 skyhawk and Aviat Husky or planes within the multi-engine category like the Beechcraft Baron and the Piper Seminole.
As stated above, certain certifications are required to fly these airplanes. Licenses ranging from a commercial pilot license to a private pilot license need to be obtained in order to fly certain plane types.
Inherent within these certifications are privileges enjoyed by their holders and limitations that guide the conduct of these holders. These certificates determine the type of planes a pilot can fly and include the distance that he can cover, fly time, and passenger limit.
In this article, we will cover all you need to know about the private pilot license (PPL) and break down important details while focusing on the type of airplanes you can fly with a PPL.
In a bid to achieve this, we will also touch on an overview of the private pilot license, types of planes flown by PPL holders, and the general differences between USA and EU PPL rules.
Table of Contents
Overview of the Private Pilot License (PPL)
A private pilot license or private pilot certificate (as used in the USA) is a license that permits its holder to command an aircraft for noncommercial purposes and gives this holder the authority to fly under visual flight rules. This license, however, does not permit its holder to be compensated for pilot services, though the pilot is allowed to split flight expenses as in fuel and other flight costs.
General Eligibility
To obtain a private pilot license, a candidate must follow the procedure and requirements provided by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Although these requirements are defined by ICAO, their execution and enforcement vary from country to country.
Generally, a candidate is required to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be at least 16 years old on the date of application.
- Display an ability to read, speak, and comprehend the English language.
- Pass a test based on the knowledge of aeronautics.
- Already hold either a US student pilot certificate, sport pilot certificate, or recreational pilot certificate.
- Must receive flight training and endorsements from an authorized instructor.
- Meet aeronautical experience requirements, which include 40 hours of flight time, a minimum of 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor, and about 9-10 hours of solo flight.
- Pass a practical flight test.
Privileges and Limitations
A holder of the private pilot license enjoys a number of privileges and in the same vein is guided by certain limitations. The privileges enjoyed by a PPL holder are enumerated below:
- A private pilot is allowed to take flight command of charitable, nonprofit, or community event flights so long as he meets the requirements as stated above.
- In an event where a local, state, or federal agency sanctions a flight that is related to search and location operations, a holder of a PPL is eligible to receive reimbursements for operating expenses including fuel, oil, rental fees, etc.
- A holder of a PPL who has at least 200 hours of flight time can demonstrate an aircraft to a prospective buyer if he/she doubles as an aircraft salesman.
- A private pilot has permission to pilot an aircraft towing a glider or an unpowered ultralight aircraft.
- A PPL holder may split the operating costs of a flight with passengers. These expenses must include fuel, airport expenses, or rental fees.
The following limitations guide the activities of PPL holders:
- A PPL pilot is not permitted to receive compensation or salary for airlifting passengers or property or for manning an aircraft as the pilot in command.
- A private pilot is not authorized to fly planes with more than 5 passengers. This plane must also have a maximum takeoff weight of 6 000 pounds.
- A private pilot has an altitude limit of 18 000 ft. above sea level.
- A private pilot cannot fly at an airspeed of more than 250 knots.
- Unless necessary permissions and authorizations are obtained, a PPl holder is not permitted to fly outside the USA.
Types of Airplanes Flown by PPL Holders
A private pilot has the authorization to be the pilot in command of a wide range of aircraft ranging from airplanes to rotorcraft, gliders, and powered parachutes. However, in this article, we will only focus on the type of airplanes a PPL holder can fly.
Taking into consideration the limitations established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) such as the limit on maximum take-off weight and the total number of passengers, below is a breakdown of the plane types a private pilot can fly:
- Single-engine planes
- Multi-engine planes
Single-Engine Planes
As the name implies, single-engine planes are generally light airplanes with single engines that cover lesser distances and use less fuel.
Because they are light and generally compact, they are easier to maintain. This ease of maintenance is due to a simple fuel, vacuum, and electrical systems, including fewer controls.
To fly a single-engine plane, a private pilot has to obtain the following class rating licenses:
- Single-engine Landplane Rating (ASEL)- This certification is issued for single-engined planes that take off from a solid land surface or runway, and is part of the pilot certification. Examples of common planes within this category with their performance ratings include:
Cessna 172 Skyhawk
- Engine: 1 × Lycoming 0-360 12a flat 4 none
- Power: 160 horsepower.
- Max. cruise speed: 123 knots
- Travel range: 687 nautical miles
- Service ceiling: 13,500 ft.
Beechcraft Staggerwing C-17
- Engine: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1
- Power: 850 horsepower.
- Max. cruise speed: 184 knots
- Travel range: 582 nautical miles
- Service ceiling: 25,000 ft.
Rockwell Commander 112 / 114
- Engine: 1 × Lycoming IO-540-T4B5D
- Power: 250 horsepower.
- Max. cruise speed: 166 knots.
- Travel range: 706 nautical miles
- Service ceiling: 16,500 ft.
Aviat Husky
- Engine: 1 × Lycoming 0-360-A1P
- Power: 180 horsepower.
- Max. cruise speed: 126 knots.
- Travel range: 700 nautical miles
- Service ceiling: 20,000 ft.
Single-engine Seaplane Rating (ASES)– A private pilot will need this license to fly single-engine planes that can take off from the sea or heavy water bodies.
Listed below are examples of airplanes within this category with their performance ratings:
Cessna Caravan Amphibian
- Engine: 1× PT6A- 114A
- Power: 675 horsepower.
- Max. cruise speed: 162 knots.
- Travel range: 790 nautical miles
- Service ceiling: 20,000 ft.
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
- Engine: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-985
- Power: 450 horsepower.
- Max. cruise speed: 137 knots.
- Travel range: 395 nautical miles
- Service ceiling: 18,000 ft.
Multi-Engine Planes
Multi-engine planes are equipped with all the benefits that come with having more than one engine. The presence of an extra engine makes these planes safer and more reliable and ensures that they cover more distances. Although extra engines cost more, they provide multi-engine planes with extra power, which means that they are generally faster and possess higher climb rates.
The following licenses are required to fly a multi-engine plane:
- Multi-engine Landplane Rating (AMEL)- a PPL holder with this license is authorized to fly multi-engine planes that require a runway on land to take-off. Examples of planes under this category are enumerated below with their performance ratings:
Nextant G90XT
- Engine: 2 x GE H75-100 turboprop.
- Power: 846 horsepower.
- Max. cruise speed: 280 knots.
- Travel range: 1,285 nautical miles
- Service ceiling: 30,000 ft.
Beechcraft Baron
- Engine: 2 x Teledyne Continental IO-550-C none.
- Power: 300 horsepower.
- Max. cruise speed: 202 knots.
- Travel range: 1,052 nautical miles
- Service ceiling: 20,688 ft.
OMA SUD Skycar
- Engine: 2 x Lycoming IO-360-C1E6 pistons.
- Power: 200 horsepower.
- Max. cruise speed: 188 knots.
- Travel range: 1,217 nautical miles
- Service ceiling: 18,000 ft.
Piper Seminole
- Engine: 2 X Lycoming L/O 360 A1H6.
- Power: 180 horsepower.
- Max. cruise speed: 162 knots.
- Travel range: 915 nautical miles
- Service ceiling: 17,100 ft.
- Multi-engine Seaplane Rating (AMES)- This license is required to fly multi-engine planes that use the sea or heavy water bodies as their runways. Listed below are examples of airplanes within this category and their performance ratings:
Sukhoi/Beriev Be-103
- Engine: 2 × Teledyne Continental fuel-injected.
- Power: 210 horsepower.
- Max. cruise speed: 460 knots.
- Travel range: 395 nautical miles
- Service ceiling: 16,400 ft.
Bombardier 415 (CL-415)
- Engine: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW123AF.
- Power: 2,380 horsepower.
- Max. cruise speed: 194 knots.
- Travel range: 1,319 nautical miles
- Service ceiling: 14,700 ft.
Grumman HU-16 Albatross
- Engine: 2 × Wright R-1820-76 Cyclone 9.
- Power: 1,425 horsepower.
- Max. cruise speed: 205 knots.
- Travel range: 2,477 nautical miles
- Service ceiling: 21,500 ft.
Endorsements and Additional Training
Apart from the other standard licenses already covered in this article, a PPL holder can obtain additional training and endorsements. These endorsements allow a private pilot to expand his/her possibilities and provide more opportunities. Unlike other certifications, endorsements do not require an FAA representative.
However, a private pilot will need to obtain an endorsement after completing flight instructions from a flight instructor.
These endorsements include:
- Tailwheel Endorsement: This endorsement is obtained after a few flight hours and gives a private pilot the license to fly tailwheel planes.
- Complex Endorsement: This endorsement authorizes a private pilot to fly airplanes with retractable gear, controllable pitch propellers, and flaps.
- High-Performance Endorsement: With this endorsement, a private pilot is permitted to fly faster airplanes with more than 200 horsepower engines.
- Type Ratings: This endorsement is required to fly planes with over 12,500 pounds maximum takeoff weight or turbojet-powered airplanes. However, you will need a peculiar license for each plane type to fly that particular type of plane. Also, this endorsement gives a private pilot the ability to fly planes as big as a Boeing 747.
General Differences Between the Rules That Apply in the US and EU
In the USA, the official body that regulates the aviation industry is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Whereas, in Europe, it is the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Although the EASA comes up with regulations that guide the issuance of a PPL in Europe, it does not directly issue this certificate. However, in the US, the FAA is responsible for issuing PPL certificates.
Certain differences exist between the rules that apply in the US and in the EU. For example, a major requirement for PPL in the US is that an intending private pilot must hold either a US student pilot certificate, sport pilot certificate, or recreational pilot certificate; however, in the EU, the required certificate is called a light aircraft pilot license (LAPL).
In the US, aeronautical experience requirements demand a minimum of 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor, whereas, in the EU, a minimum of 30 hours of flight training is required.
Furthermore, disparities exist between the limitations that guide the activities of a PPL holder in the US and a PPL holder in the EU.
In the EU, the maximum takeoff weight of an aircraft flown by a PPL holder is 12,566 pounds, while in the US, it is 6,000 pounds. Also, in the EU, there is no limit to the number of passengers a PPL holder can carry. However, in the US, the limit is 5 passengers.
Summary
Only a few dreams inspire the same passion and enthusiasm as the dream of flying in the skies and the PPL serves as a stepping stone to the actualization of this dream. With a PPL certificate, you do not only prove your place as an air enthusiast, but go further in exploring the skies in various plane types ranging from the Cessna 172 single-engine plane to the amphibian planes, and the Bombardier 415 multi-engine powerhouse. As established in this article, a PPL certificate gives you access to flying a numerous number of plane types.
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