You’ve done the flight training and nailed the theory exams. Congrats, you’re nearly there. These are the final boxes that need to be ticked before the finish line.
2 April 2026
Just a couple of certification milestones before you can take to the skies. Of course there’s the Skill Test. But before you can take the test and apply for your PPL, you’ll also need a FRTOL and a Class 2 Medical certificate.
For a PPL(A) you’ll need a Flight Radio Telephony Operator’s Licence (FROTL) to show you know your way around radio communication. In some flying schools, this will be part of the PPL-package. In others, the FROTL exam is charged separately.
When the FROTL exam isn’t part of a package, prices range from £150 at Perranporth Flying Club to £184 at North Weald Flight Training, £200 at ANT Flight Training, and even £240 at Almat Flying Academy. Usually though, it’s around £180.
You can study for the FRTOL exam by yourself, but you can also choose to do a course. Prices of pilot radio telephony courses vary; expect to pay between £100 and £300 for FRTOL training.
Make sure you apply for your FROTL at the same time as your PPL. If you don’t, the CAA will charge you £98 for the initial issue of the FRTOL.
For a PPL(A), you’ll need a Class 2 Medical certificate issued by a CAA Aero Medical Examiner (AME). Each AME sets their own fee, so the cost of this depends on the doctor you choose. Usually, it’s between £200 and £300.
The Skill Test is what you have to pass at the end of your PPL training. It’s the flying equivalent of the driving test. You’ll have to pass all the Theoretical Knowledge exams before you take the Skill Test, which will be set by and flown with a CAA examiner.
The Skill Test consists of two parts: navigation and general airwork manoeuvres. It’s intended to be flown as one flight, which can take up to four and a half hours including two hours for pre-test briefing and planning. However, the student and examiner can agree to do it in two parts.
The cost of the Skill Test is made up by the examiner’s fee and the aircraft hire. The examiner’s fee varies, but is usually somewhere in the range of £250. The aircraft hire depends on the hourly rental rate of your flying school and the time you need the aircraft for.
The fee the CAA charges for the initial issue of a pilot licence is £251. Make sure you apply for your FRTOL at the same time as your PPL because in that case, the FRTOL application is free. If you don’t, CAA will charge another £98 for the initial issue of the FRTOL.
The final checks and certification milestones mentioned above add significant lump-sum costs. So with everything put together, what does a PPL cost in the real world?
