Licences: acquisition and renewal

Participation in air traffic requires a permit. A distinction is made between licenses to fly motor aircraft, helicopters, motor gliders, gliders, free balloons or air sports equipment.

The acquisition of an aviation license requires theoretical and practical training. The training can only be carried out at an approved training organization or an approved flight school. The competent state aviation authority issues the pilot's license after the theoretical and practical examinations have been passed.

The pilot examinations consist of a theoretical and a practical part:

• Theoretical examination:
  The theoretical examination includes subjects such as aviation law, navigation, meteorology, general aircraft knowledge, aerodynamics, human performance and behavior in special cases.
  
• Practical examination:
  The practical examination can only be taken after passing the theoretical examination. The flight school must confirm that the candidate is ready for the test and register him/her for the test. In the practical flight test, the applicant must demonstrate during a flight under the supervision of an examiner that he/she has acquired the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for the safe operation of the aircraft and can apply these correctly under normal and special conditions. The practical test must be successfully completed within 2 years of passing the theory test.

The specific requirements depend on the license to be acquired.

Note:
Pilot's licenses are issued with unlimited validity. This is to be distinguished from the authorizations entered in the pilot's license, which are subject to a time limit and can be extended depending on the authorization if the respective requirements are met.

The theoretical and practical knowledge as well as language skills must be maintained.

The rights of the permits for glider pilots and non-commercial and non-professional free balloon pilots are also not limited in time, but may only be exercised if the permit holder can prove a certain minimum level of flying experience within a certain period of time.

The regional council in whose district the applicant lives.
(Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt for the administrative district of Darmstadt and Regierungspräsidium Kassel for the administrative districts of Kassel and Gießen).

The regional councils are not responsible for licenses for commercial and professional pilots, the acceptance of examinations for the acquisition of instrument rating and licenses for air sports equipment operators (ultralight aircraft, hang gliders, paragliders and parachutists). The Federal Aviation Office is responsible for commercial/professional pilots and the air sports associations for pilots of air sports equipment.

• Registration for training by the aviation school
• Registration for participation in examinations by the aviation school
• Identity card (copy)
• Medical fitness certificate from an aviation medical expert
• Application for a background check in accordance with Section 7 of the Aviation Security Act
• Certificate of good conduct (document type O)
• Extract from the driving aptitude register (previously: central traffic register)
• Proof of immediate measures at the scene of an accident or first aid training
• 1 photograph

The requirements for the acquisition are divided into 2 parts:

• Personal requirements:
  • physical and mental fitness as determined by an aviation medical expert
  • reliability of character
  • Minimum age (depending on the type of license)
• Technical requirements:
  • Training in theory and practice with a specified minimum number of take-offs and landings
  • Successful completion of theoretical and practical examinations
  • Acquisition of a radiotelephony certificate
  • Proof of knowledge of the language used in radiotelephony (usually English)
  • Completion of a first aid course

Note:
The individual requirements can be obtained from the aviation schools or the state aviation authorities.

Depending on the jurisdiction (see "Who do I need to contact"), applications for the issue of pilot's licenses can be obtained either from the relevant regional council, the Federal Aviation Office for commercial/professional pilots or the Hessischer Luftsportbund e. V. (Hessian Air Sports Association).

Depending on the permit, proof of a certain number of flying hours, take-offs and landings as well as practice flights with a flight instructor or proficiency check by recognized examiners must be provided for the extension of the authorizations from the permit as well as proof of physical and mental fitness determined by an aviation medical expert by submitting a medical fitness certificate.

The extension of permits and authorizations must be applied for before they expire. A permit or authorization that has expired can only be renewed under more difficult conditions.

Applications for renewal can be obtained either from the relevant regional council, the Federal Aviation Office for commercial/professional pilots or the Hessischer Luftsportbund e. V., depending on the jurisdiction (see above).

The costs depend on which organization you start your pilot's license with and for which aircraft you want to purchase it.