Student resources

The official UK pages a PPL student actually uses, each with a line on what it is for, plus a plain guide to how the UK PPL theory exams work. Members also get printable revision sheets, a glossary and a kit checklist.

How the exams work Members’ resources

Explainer

How UK PPL theory exams work

For a UK Part-FCL PPL(A) you pass nine theory exams. The CAA groups them like this:

Common subjects: Air Law, Human Performance, Meteorology, Communications and Navigation.
Aircraft-category subjects: Principles of Flight, Operational Procedures, Flight Performance and Planning, and Aircraft General Knowledge.
Online, at your school: the exams are CAA GA e-Exams, taken at your training organisation and run by a CAA-authorised Ground Examiner. Register for a CAA portal account early; the CAA says ID checks can take up to 10 working days.
Before you sit: your Head of Training or CFI must recommend you, and you need photo ID on the day.
Pass mark: 75% in each exam. (AeroBase’s question bank asks for 90% three times before it ticks a subject off, so you have a buffer.)
Attempts and time limit: up to 4 attempts at each subject, and all the exams must be passed within 18 months, counted from the end of the calendar month of your first attempt.
How long passes last: once complete, the passes are valid for 24 months for you to apply for the licence.
Syllabus: the CAA publishes the learning objectives for each subject as CAP 2090A to CAP 2090J.

Rules change. This summary was checked against CAA sources on 12 October 2026: the CAA PPL(A) page, the CAA GA e-Exams page and CAA Standards Document 11. The number of questions, time allowed and permitted materials for each exam are given in your booking confirmation; ask your Ground Examiner if unsure.

For members

Revision sheets, glossary and kit list

A printable one-page key-facts sheet for each of the nine subjects, taken from the AeroBase presentations.
A glossary of UK PPL abbreviations and terms.
A checklist of what to take to exams and lessons.

Open members’ resources

Official UK links

From the CAA, NATS and the Met Office. Links checked 12 October 2026. They open in a new tab.

Rules, guidance and safety

The Skyway Code (CAP 1535) UK CAA
The CAA’s free guide to UK private flying rules, regulations and best practice, as a print-friendly or on-screen PDF.
Safety Sense leaflets UK CAA
Short CAA guides for GA pilots on topics such as winter flying, passengers, pilot health, fuel and weight, balance and performance.
Radiotelephony Manual (CAP 413) UK CAA
The UK phraseology reference for the radio, including SAFETYCOM and calls at unattended aerodromes. Check you have the current edition.
Airspace & Safety Initiative CAA, NATS, MoD and GA partners
Joint UK initiative on avoiding airspace infringements: pre-flight planning advice, listening squawks and infringement guidance.

PPL theory exams and syllabus

Private pilot licence for aeroplanes UK CAA
The CAA’s PPL(A) page: requirements, the nine theory subjects and how long exam passes stay valid.
GA theoretical knowledge e-Exams UK CAA
How the online exams work, plus the learning objectives (the syllabus) for each subject: CAP 2090A to CAP 2090J.
Standards Document 11 (PDF) UK CAA
The CAA’s procedures for GA theory exams, including the 75% pass mark, attempts and time limits.

Pre-flight information: AIP, NOTAMs and charts

UK AIP on NATS Aurora NATS AIS
The UK Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), published by NATS as the UK aeronautical information service.
NATS AIS: NOTAMs and pre-flight bulletins NATS AIS
NOTAM briefing and pre-flight information bulletins (PIBs), plus AIP supplements and AICs. Free registration is needed for briefings.
UK VFR charts NATS AIS, under licence from the CAA
The 1:500,000 and 1:250,000 VFR chart series: publication schedule, chart amendments and the VRP and frequency listings.

Weather: Met Office aviation

MAVIS: Met Office aviation briefing Met Office
The Met Office’s aeronautical briefing service, where you sign up for regulated UK aviation forecasts such as GAMETs and F215s.
GAMETs explained Met Office
The Met Office guide to GAMETs, the text area forecasts for low-level flying in four UK regions.
Low-level forecasts: F215 and F214 Met Office
The Met Office guide to the F215 low-level significant weather chart and the F214 spot wind and temperature chart.

Medicals

Medical requirements for pilots UK CAA
Which medical certificate you need for which licence, from the CAA.
Apply for a Class 2 medical certificate UK CAA
The CAA’s step-by-step guide to applying for the Class 2 medical used for a PPL.
Find an Aeromedical Examiner (AME) UK CAA
Search the CAA list for a UK AME near you who can carry out your medical.

AeroBase is not responsible for external sites. Always use the current edition of a publication and the current AIP, NOTAMs and weather for any real flight.