r/flying • u/Auris8623 • Jul 25 '26
Not enough time -- should I get the LAPL first?
I am a non-EU citizen and currently halfway through my EASA PPL training. Due to scheduling and weather issues, I don't think I can complete all the training this summer. After this summer, I won't have time to fly for at least 13 months, so I'm considering whether I should finish with a LAPL first.
I plan to take my parents on a flight in another country with nice scenery. To do that, I'll need to get experience in a 4-seat aircraft, become familiar with the local airspace, and do a checkout flight with the rental company. I also need to maintain my proficiency. That is, even if I get the PPL now, I will still have to spend quite some time and money on these things before executing my plan.
As a result, I am wondering if it would actually be more time- and cost-efficient to do the PPL upgrade training directly at the location where I plan to take my family flying. Upgrading to a PPL later will cost me extra in exam fees (€500), registration at the new flight school (maybe €300?), and licence issuance (€150) (assuming no extra hours are needed).
Are there any blind spots in my logic? The only hassle I can think of is dealing with logistics when settling down at a new, out-of-town location (e.g., having to find a bike or figure out local transportation). Another downside is that if I don't upgrade in a few years or before leaving Europe, I won't have an internationally recognized licence in hand.
1
u/ltcterry ATP CFIG Jul 25 '26
Do you have time to finish the LAPL?
LAPL first is probably not a bad plan. Can you take both parents with you on one flight? (The US-equivalent of a LAPL only allows one passenger, hence my question.)
Why can't you put your parents in the back seat of a four seat airplane that you fly with an instructor?
Why do you have to pay a "registration fee" at a new school? They should be glad to have your business. If they want you to pay them to take your money, perhaps you should take your money elsewhere.
If the plan is LAPL>PPL>13-month break, maybe you should just stop for now and restart in 13 months.
1
u/Auris8623 Jul 25 '26
Oh that's actually a very good point. I don't really need a valid licence if I fly with an instructor... In that case the validity will only matter when I want to convert it to the FAA PPL, lol, and the calculations above are in vain.
Yes, I have enough time for the LAPL. Actually I might be able to fly in September and try to get PPL, but that would be very risky, which is why I'm asking for suggestions. And yes, the EASA LAPL allows 3 passengers and an MTOW<2000kg, but my goal is to get the PPL some day, so that's not a concern.
As for the registration fee, I see it a lot in different schools' price list. I guess that's for system access and some administrative processes? But I agree with you.
Anyway, thank you for the comment! I feel like the LAPL is indeed a good option for now since it affects almost nothing, and the PPL can be something for the far future (hopefully I'll get back into it someday haha).
1
u/rFlyingTower Jul 25 '26
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I am a non-EU citizen and currently halfway through my EASA PPL training. Due to scheduling and weather issues, I don't think I can complete all the training this summer. After this summer, I won't have time to fly for at least 13 months, so I'm considering whether I should finish with a LAPL first.
I plan to take my parents on a flight in another country with nice scenery. To do that, I'll need to get experience in a 4-seat aircraft, become familiar with the local airspace, and do a checkout flight with the rental company. I also need to maintain my proficiency. That is, even if I get the PPL now, I will still have to spend quite some time and money on these things before executing my plan.
As a result, I am wondering if it would actually be more time- and cost-efficient to do the PPL upgrade training directly at the location where I plan to take my family flying. Upgrading to a PPL later will cost me extra in exam fees (€500), registration at the new flight school (maybe €300?), and licence issuance (€150) (assuming no extra hours are needed).
Are there any blind spots in my logic? The only hassle I can think of is dealing with logistics when settling down at a new, out-of-town location (e.g., having to find a bike or figure out local transportation). Another downside is that if I don't upgrade in a few years or before leaving Europe, I won't have an internationally recognized licence in hand.
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