First 100 Hours — PPL(A)

Passing the skills test means you have demonstrated a minimum acceptable standard to the CAA. It does not mean you are ready for everything the licence legally permits. The currency and recency requirements in the ANO are minimums — not recommendations. Most experienced pilots fly significantly more than the minimums before taking on new challenges.

• A new PPL holder is at the highest risk of serious incident — more than at any other point in their flying career.
• Fatality statistics for new pilots consistently peak in the first 50–200 hours.
• The most common accidents: weather-related loss of control, fuel exhaustion, and runway excursions.

• First flights post-licence: familiar airfield, local area, benign conditions, solo.
• Add one new element at a time — unfamiliar airfield OR longer distance OR strong crosswind, not all three.
• First cross-country: a route you know, good forecast, full fuel, no passengers.
• First passenger: someone who will not distract you, on a simple local flight.
• Night flying: complete the Night Rating before any night solo.
• Microlight or other aircraft: get differences training and check rides, even if the type is simple.

• Passenger currency: 3 take-offs and 3 landings in the preceding 90 days.
• SEP revalidation: either 12 hours in the past 12 months (including 6 dual/instructional and 12 take-offs/landings) or a proficiency check with an examiner.
• Medical: Class 2 medical required, valid for your age group.
• Biennial review: not required in UK but strongly recommended — fly with an instructor annually.

Weather is the most common factor in fatal GA accidents. New pilots have not yet developed the pattern recognition to anticipate how conditions can deteriorate faster than a TAF suggests. For the first year, set personal minimums well above the legal limits.

• Personal minimums: set them in writing before the flight, not in the aircraft.
• Suggested starting point: cloud base ≥2,500 ft, visibility ≥8 km, wind ≤15 kt, no precipitation.
• Raise minimums gradually as experience and confidence grow — but lower them slowly.
• Use the VFR Wise briefing tools to review conditions before every flight, not just departure.