Luftfahrerscheine: Erwerb und Verlängerung

Participation in air transport requires a permit. A distinction must be made between authorizations to fly motor aircraft, helicopters, motor gliders, gliders, free balloons or air sports equipment.

The acquisition of an airman's license requires theoretical and practical training. The training can only be carried out with an approved training organization or an approved flight school. After passing the theoretical and practical examination, the competent state aviation authority issues the pilot's licence (pilot's licence).

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

• Theory test:
  The theoretical examination includes, among other things , the subjects air law, navigation, meteorology, general aircraft science, aerodynamics, human performance and behaviour in special cases.
   
• Practical exam:
  The practical examination can only be taken after passing the theoretical examination. The flight school must confirm the candidate's readiness for the examination and register him for the examination. In the case of a flight accompanied by an examiner, the applicant must demonstrate in the practical flight test that he has acquired the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for the safe control of the aircraft and can apply them correctly under normal and special conditions. The practical exam must be successfully passed within 2 years of passing the theory test.

The specific requirements depend on the respective license to be purchased.

Hint:
Aviation licences are issued with unlimited validity. A distinction must be made between the authorisations entered in the pilot's licence, which are subject to a time limit and can be extended depending on the entitlement if the respective requirements are met.

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

The rights of licences 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 licence holder can prove a certain minimum level of flying experience within a certain period.

• Registration for training by the Aviation School
• Registration for participation in examinations by the Aviation School
• Identity card (copy)
• Medical certificate issued by an aero-medical expert
• Application to carry out a background check in accordance with § 7 of the Aviation Security Act
• Certificate of good conduct (document type O)
• Excerpt from the register of fitness to drive (previously: central traffic register)
• Proof of immediate measures at the scene of the accident or first aid training
• 1 photograph

The requirements for acquisition are divided into 2 parts:

• Personal requirements:
  • physical and mental fitness determined by an aero-medical expert
  • character reliability
  • Minimum age (depending on the type of permit)
• Professional requirements:
  • Training in theory and practice with a specified minimum number of take-offs and landings
  • successfully passed theoretical and practical exam
  • Acquisition of a radiotelephone certificate
  • Proof of knowledge of the language used in voice radio communications (usually English)
  • Completion of a first aid course

Hint:
The requirements in detail can be obtained from the aviation schools or the state aviation authorities.

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

Depending on the responsibility (see "Who do I have to contact"), the applications for the issuance of the pilot's licenses are available either from the respective regional council, from the Federal Aviation Office for Traffic/Commercial Aircraft Drivers or from the Hessischer Luftsportbund e. V. 

For the extension of the ratings under the licence, depending on the authorisation, proof of a certain number of flight hours, take-offs and landings as well as of practice flights with flight instructor or proficiency test by recognised examiners must be provided, as well as proof of physical and mental fitness determined by an aero-medical expert by presenting a medical certificate.

The renewal of permits and authorizations must be applied for before their validity expires. A permit or authorization whose validity has expired can only be renewed under difficult conditions.

Depending on the responsibility (see above), the applications for extension are available either from the responsible regional council, from the Federal Aviation Office for Commercial/Professional Aircraft Drivers or from the Hessischer Luftsportbund e. V. 

The regional council in whose district the applicant lives.
(Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt for the Regierungsbezirk Darmstadt and Regierungspräsidium Kassel for the Regierungsbezirke Kassel and Gießen).

The licences for commercial pilots and pilots, the acceptance of the examinations for the acquisition of the instrument rating and the licences for air sports equipment pilots (ultralights, hang gliders, paragliders and parachutists) do not fall within the competence of the regional councils. Here, the Federal Aviation Office is responsible for commercial pilots and the air sports associations for air sports equipment pilots.