Training & Milestones
From your first lesson
to your licence
How the PPL syllabus is structured, what the key milestones look like, and what happens at each stage of your training.
Key milestones in your PPL
Milestone 1
First solo
Solo circuit at Fife Airport
Milestone 2
Ground exams
9 subjects, 75% to pass each
Milestone 3
Solo cross-country
150 nm qualifying flight
Milestone 4
Skills test
With a CAA-authorised examiner
Milestone 5
Licence issued
CAA PPL, no expiry date
Start here
Overview
How is PPL training structured?
The syllabus, the exercises, how you progress through dual and solo flying, and what each stage of training looks like in practice.
All articles
How is PPL training structured?
The syllabus, dual and solo phases, and how you progress
When will I fly solo for the first time?
What needs to happen before you go solo, and what to expect
How do the ground exams work and when do I sit them?
The 9 CAA theory subjects, pass marks, and how resits work
What are the qualifying cross-country requirements?
The solo navigation requirements for your PPL, including the 150 nm qualifying flight
What is the skills test?
What the test involves, how it's assessed, and who conducts it
What happens if I fail an exam or the skills test?
Resitting ground exams, retest procedures for the skills test
What can I do with my PPL?
Where you can fly, what aircraft, passengers, and next steps
What is hour building and do I need it?
Building experience after your PPL — what it involves and who it's for
What is the night rating?
Requirements, what's involved, and how to add it to your PPL