Login here to start studying from home the PPL 'online' ground course using our very modern web-based training (WBT) distance learning software platform

Our PPL theory course can be studied 100% ‘Online’ from home, Anytime, Full or Part-time, from Anywhere in the world

Course Requirements:

• You must complete the personal details compliance section before proceeding with the course. This is part of our regulatory approval.
• You must complete 70 hours of self-study on the approved programme before attending 30 hours Ground School element, delivered over ZOOM so you can remain at home throughout the entire course.

PPL Theory Course Enrollment

To enroll into the PPL(A) modular theory course, please complete this ground school enrollment form attaching a copy of your Passport

PPL(A) Theory Course Syllabus

There are nine (9) subjects in the PPL(A) theoretical training syllabus, as follows: -

Common subjects:-

• 010 - Air Law (AL)
• 020 - Human Performance and Limitations (HPL)
• 030 - Meteorology (MET)
• 040 - Communications (COM)
• 090 - Navigation (NAV)

Subjects specific to the aircraft category (Aeroplanes):-

• 051 - Principles of Flight (PoF)
• 060 - Operational Procedures (OP)
• 070 - Flight Performance & Planning (FPP)
• 080 - Aircraft General Knowledge (AGK)

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:

'Online' PPL Theory Training Course ✈︎ Distance Learning 

EASA + UK CAA

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 sit all nine (9) PPL exams in one (1) day at any test centre in Europe, and with any (EASA country) examination authority. Please keep in mind, you must also notify your chosen test centre at least 21 days before exam date.

This 21 day limit does NOT apply at our partnered test centre in Luton, UK (subject to seat availability) where you can sit the EASA PPL exams with Austro Control GmbH. 

EASA PPL exams can be sat at our primary flight training base at Son Bonet Airport, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

If you also want a UK CAA licence, PPL exams also need to be sat separately with UK CAA examination authority 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 syllabus 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: -

• Full Web-Based-Training 18-months access, including online Study Guides, Overview Slides.
• Exam question banks
• Video clips and lecture notes
• Mandatory progress tests
• Pre-exam 5-day ‘brush-up’ Ground School via CATS TV
• An online CAA Document Library (Including CAP696, CAP697, CAP698 and CAP758)
• Course completion certificate, if all progress tests are passed

WHAT ISN'T INCLUDED:

• The cost to sit the PPL exams
• a CRP-1 or CRP-5 Computer
• Accommodation to sit the PPL exams 
• Box shown for Illustrative purposes only. No box will be shipped.

How to satisfactorily complete the PPL online theory course

Approved distance learning courses must have Mandatory Progress Tests (MPT) to assess student learning. As you gain knowledge by progressing with a subject's study guides, lecture notes and video media, complete the Mandatory Progress Test which are designed to test student's understanding, and reveal any deficiencies in knowledge. MPT will help you to focus your studies, allows the ATO ground school to remotely assess your progress, and will assist the Authorities in their auditing processes. 

CAUTION:  Do NOT open tests to obtain answers then rapidly complete them to 100%. This behaviour is detected by the Authority and could invalidate your training. 

PPL Exams - What to expect

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 all 9 PPL exams must be sat in one (1) day. It is not possible to divide the exam subjects over several dates. Each PPL exam consists of between 12 and 20 questions (the exact number for each subject you can check 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 immediately after every finished test. In the case of a fail in one (1) subject, the exam can be repeated at another sitting, usually about one (1) 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 exam pass certificate from Austro Control GmbH, and they will be valid for 24 months. Within this 2-year period before the validity period of the exam pass certificate expires, which is counted from the date you successfully completed your last exam, you must then complete the practical flight training syllabus and pass the PPL skill test, and apply to the competent authority for the issue of your licence, otherwise the validity period of your PPL exam pass certificate will expire and you will have to retake all nine (9) exams again as a second series.

PPL Exam Cost

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 approved test centre, and with any (EASA country) examination authority. 

The price to sit the PPL exams can vary widely from one country to the next, anything up to €100/exam in Southern Spain, €80/exam in Jordan. In Mallorca its €60/exam. 

In Luton, UK, you can sit the EASA exams with Austro-Control GmbH 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 £179 GBP which is by far the cheapest deal anywhere in Europe. If you can find a cheap low-cost flight ticket (no check-in luggage), save your money and go to Luton for 1-day. We also have a discounted rate at the Hilton hotel, across the road from the test centre (details below)

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.

If you sit PPL exams in Luton, UK via Austro Control GmbH, and you need to retake an exam(s) but want to do the re-sit in Palma de Mallorca, this can be arranged but let us know quickly as you need to give the test centre minimum 21 days notice.

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: -

List of Austro Control PPL Exam Centres.

How do I book my PPL exams with Austro Control GmbH ?

1. Download the latest Austro-Control GmbH application form
2. Digitally fill in Parts 1 and 2 only, with your personal details. (Note: Handwritten forms will NOT be accepted by Austro-Control GmbH)
3. Print the form and sign Part 2. 
4. If you have NOT studied with Fly EPT Spain, you will also need your ATO ground school to complete and sign Part 5.
5. Scan and email the completed form to Info@flyEPTspain.com along with your valid passport copy
6. We will confirm the correctness of your application and, if necessary, contact you to make any corrections
7. We will arrange for our ATO ground school Head of Training (HT) to counter sign and stamp the application form.
8. Next, book your PPL exam date directly with CATS
9. Once the application form has been received, and you have booked an exam date, the exam centre / ground school coordinator will then send you a confirmation email, confirming your exam date booking. 
10. You are now all set to sit the PPL exams. On the day of the exams, please remember to take the original stamped and signed application form with you, as you must present it to the invigilator. 

NOTE: a new application form must be prepared before every exam sitting. 

Austro-Control GmbH can only allocate a confirmed examination appointment date after receiving approval by the responsible flight school (ATO).

How do I book my PPL exams with Transport Malta ?

Fly EPT Spain can arrange PPL exams with Transport Malta examination authority via The Helicopter Centre which is located at Son Bonet Airport, Palma de Mallorca, Spain 

Exam dates with Transport Malta in Palma de Mallorca are flexible. 

To book PPL exams with Transport Malta, fill in:

Form TM/CAD/0173 Application for the Part-FCL PPL(A) and PPL(H) theoretical examinations

Electronically fill in the application form, and have it signed by your DTO / ATO ground school provider, and email it to: 

Info@flyEPTspain.com

Pre-PPL Exam ‘Brush Up’ Course

The 'brush-up' course must be completed, or scheduled to be finished, before sitting the PPL exams.

The pre-exam 'brush-up' course is delivered by live TV over ZOOM so you can stay at home.

You can attend a brush up class, and students are encouraged to join as many as they wish. However, for the attendance to qualify as one of your five (5) approved training days, you must complete beforehand the Mandatory Progress Test with a minimum pass score of 75%

Booking exams directly with Austro-Control GmbH

PPL ground school students who choose NOT to sit their exams in Luton, UK will need to send themselves their completed exam application form, countersigned by the ATO Head of Training, directly to their chosen test centre at least 21 days before the examination date. 

EASA PPL Examination Dates in Luton, UK

Choose only one (1) date. All nine (9) PPL exams must be sat in one (1) day. This is Austro Control's ruling

You can book an exam date in Luton, UK here        

w:  https://www.catsexams.com/

The following dates are confirmed for EASA PPL examinations with Austro-Control GmbH in Luton, UK on: -

Accommodation while sitting PPL Exams in Luton, UK

You can book the Hilton hotel across the road from the Luton test 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 Hotel, Luton Airport, UK:

Hilton Garden Inn Luton North
Butterfield Business Park
Hitchin Rd,
Luton LU2 8DL
UK 

Check Map here

Premier Inn, Hitchin Town Centre

Premier Inn, Hitchin Town Centre, Portmill Lane, Hitchin SG5 1DJ, UK

Premier Inn to CATS Aviation is 6 miles distance apart and there is a very convenient, regular bus service between Hitchin Premier Inn and CATS Aviation on the Luton suburb.  

Check Map here

Exam centre address:  Luton, UK

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

Visa for UK

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

PPL Examination Dates in Son Bonet Airport (LESB), Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Note:  Choose only one (1) date

The following dates are confirmed for EASA PPL examinations with Austro-Control GmbH at Son Bonet Airport (LESB), Palma de Mallorca, Spain on: -

Exam centre address:  Son Bonet Airport, Palma de Mallorca, Spain:

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

Note:  Fly EPT Spain and The Aviation Centre share the same office building; Aviation House, Son Bonet Airport

Check exam sitting availability in Mallorca here

Visa for Spain (Schengen)

Many nationalities can enter Spain without a visa for periods of up to 90 days (in any 180-day period).

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

Which Visa do I need?

International students enrolled in the CPL preparation programme can expect to complete their PPL and hour building easily within 3 months.  You do NOT need a student visa. From start of PPL exams until the completion of the hour building course, a 3-month Schengen visa will suffice.  

Study Visa for Spain

If you insist on wanting to apply for a student visa in Spain, which allows you to remain in Spain for longer than 90 days for the purpose of training or studying, check here for more details.

Application form:  Study Visa in Spain

Self Employed Visa in Spain for students who plan to join us as a Flight Instructor

PPL students looking to fast track their pilot studies and wanting to join Fly EPT Spain as a flight instructor can apply for a self employed work visa in Spain here

Exam Day

Please present yourself at the exam centre 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 will NOT be possible to take the test. 

While in the examinations, you must complete all 9 exams during the published times, so plan your time 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.

Permitted Exam Equipment 

Provided in the exam:

Approved Items:

According to EASA Austro Control GmbH, and in accordance with AMC1 ARA.FCL.300, the following aids are permitted during the EASA examination:

Approved items with recommendations:

• Mechanical Flight Computer/slider - We recommend:  CRP-1 only for PPL.  Or CRP-5 for commercial CPL + ATPL
• Only a scientific calculator which is non-programmable, non-alphanumeric which does NOT have specific aviation functions is permitted - We recommend:  Casio fx-85GT X
• Protractors - We recommend:  Nautical square protractor 
• Drafting Compass - We recommend:  Rotring Compact Universal Compass
• Ruler - We recommend:  Pooleys NM-2
• a non-aviation specific, Translation dictionary (non-digital)
• Jeppesen Manual (GSPRM) + Charts  We recommend:  Jeppesen EASA-FCL General Student Pilot Route Manual (GSPRM) Also try here
• CAA CAP documents:  CAP696 – Aeroplane Mass and Balance;  CAP697 – Aeroplane Flight Planning;  CAP698 – Aeroplane Performance;  CAP758 – Helicopter

The pages of permitted documents must NOT be marked in any way (e.g. highlighted) and NO notes of any kind.

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

Finally 

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 !

FAQ

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. 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