UK VFR Student Hub
Study notes, exam tips, and practical guidance for UK CAA PPL students. Covers all 9 written exam subjects for both fixed-wing and helicopter licences. This content is aimed at UK students only — if you're studying outside the UK or using one of our mobile apps, your regulatory framework will differ.
PPL(A) — Fixed-Wing
Aeroplane licence, PA-28, C152, and similar training aircraft.
Getting Started
How the UK CAA PPL(A) training path, exams, and instructor expectations fit together.
Air Law
UK aviation law, airspace classification, rules of the air, and licencing requirements.
Meteorology
Reading METARs, TAFs, SIGMETs, and making sound VFR weather decisions.
Navigation
Dead reckoning, VOR/NDB use, chart reading, and safe navigation techniques.
Aircraft General Knowledge
Airframes, engines, instruments, electrical systems, and fuel systems for the PPL(A) exam.
Flight Performance & Planning
Performance tables, mass and balance, fuel planning, and pre-flight decision-making.
PPL(H) — Helicopter
Helicopter licence, Robinson R22/R44, and similar training types.
Getting Started
How the UK CAA PPL(H) training path, exams, and instructor expectations fit together.
Air Law
UK aviation law, helicopter-specific rules, airspace classification, and licencing requirements.
Meteorology
Reading METARs, TAFs, and making sound VFR weather decisions for helicopter operations.
Navigation
Dead reckoning, chart reading, and navigation techniques specific to helicopter flight.
Aircraft General Knowledge
Rotary systems, engines, instruments, and helicopter-specific systems for the PPL(H) exam.
Flight Performance & Planning
Helicopter performance tables, mass and balance, fuel planning, and HOGE/HIGE margins.
Need decoding or RT practice tools?
Free pilot tools are grouped in one place — METAR and TAF decoders plus the radio call builder.
METAR Decoder
Paste a METAR and get a clear breakdown of the observation groups.
TAF Decoder
Decode the base forecast, TEMPO, BECMG, and timing groups faster.
Radio Call Builder
Practise CAP 413-style structure and readback discipline.
Reciprocal Heading
Convert a heading to its reciprocal and view both on a compass rose.