What are the PPL requirements in Uganda?

What the PPL is

The Private Pilot Licence (PPL) is the first full pilot licence in the Ugandan system. It is the licence most people earn after the student pilot licence, and it is the foundation for the Commercial Pilot Licence and later the Airline Transport Pilot Licence.

The PPL is governed by regulations 60 to 68 of the Civil Aviation (Personnel Licensing) Regulations, 2022 (S.I. 89 of 2022), as amended by S.I. 2024 No. 105. UCAA explains how to apply in its advisory circular CAA-AC-PEL001, section 5.

PPL requirements checklist

Requirement	What UCAA expects	Source
Age	At least 18 (aeroplane or helicopter); at least 16 (glider or balloon)	CAA-AC-PEL001 §5.5.1
Medical	Class 2 medical certificate from a designated medical examiner	CAA-AC-PEL001 §5.5.5
English language	Operational Level 4 or above under regulation 25	CAA-AC-PEL025 §2.4
Training	Approved training conducted within an ATO	S.I. 105 of 2024, reg 24(2)
Theory	Pass the knowledge tests in nine subjects, 70% minimum each	CAA-AC-PEL018 §3.8
Skill test	Pass the practical test in the class rating sought, single or multi-engine	CAA-AC-PEL001 §5.5.3
Flight experience	Minimum experience under regulations 63 to 67	Confirm with UCAA

Age and medical fitness

You must be at least 18 to hold a PPL for aeroplanes or helicopters. For gliders and balloons the minimum age is 16 (CAA-AC-PEL001, §5.5.1).

You need a Class 2 medical certificate issued by a UCAA-designated medical examiner. Because a medical problem can end a training plan, UCAA advises applicants to confirm medical fitness before committing to substantial expense (CAA-AC-PEL001, §3.2.1). Our medical certificate guide explains the process.

English language proficiency

Regulation 25 requires English language proficiency for pilot licences, and S.I. 2024 No. 105 restates the list of licences it applies to, now including remote pilot licences. The minimum is Operational Level 4 (CAA-AC-PEL025, §2.4). Holders at Level 4 are re-evaluated every three years, at Level 5 every six years, and Level 6 needs no re-evaluation (CAA-AC-PEL025, §4.4.1).

Training at an ATO

Approved flight crew training must be conducted within an Approved Training Organisation (S.I. 2024 No. 105, regulation 24(2)). Your ATO will run ground school for the theory subjects and flight training towards the skill test. Where applicable, the PEL Office also needs your instructor’s written recommendation when you book your exams (CAA-AC-PEL018, §3.3.2).

The nine theory subjects

The PPL knowledge test covers:

1. Air Law
2. Aircraft General Knowledge
3. Flight Performance and Planning
4. Human Performance
5. Meteorology
6. Navigation
7. Operational Procedures
8. Principles of Flight
9. Radio Telephony

You need at least 70% in each subject, and all subjects should be passed within three months of your first sitting (CAA-AC-PEL018, §3.8 and §3.9). See UCAA pilot theory exams for booking and exam-day rules.

The skill test

UCAA guidance says the knowledge test should be passed before the skill test (CAA-AC-PEL001, §3.1.6). The skill test is flown in the class rating you are seeking, single-engine or multi-engine, with an examiner authorised by UCAA (CAA-AC-PEL001, §5.5.3). Your English proficiency is also evaluated during the practical test (CAA-AC-PEL001, §5.6).

Flight experience

The minimum flight experience for the PPL is set out in regulations 63 to 67. We do not publish hour figures that we have not verified against the current official text. Confirm the current minimums with the UCAA Personnel Licensing Office or your ATO.

Applying for the licence

When everything is complete, you submit the prescribed application form to the PEL Office with your current Class 2 medical certificate, two full-face photographs, and your logbook or an acceptable flying record certified by your instructor and examiner (CAA-AC-PEL001, §5.7). If a document has a discrepancy that cannot be corrected on the spot, the application is returned to you until it is fixed (CAA-AC-PEL001, §3.5.1).

Keeping your PPL current

To renew a PPL, UCAA guidance asks for five hours as pilot in command within the twelve months before you apply, supported by a certified logbook, along with a valid Class 2 medical (CAA-AC-PEL001, §5.8.2). If your licence has lapsed, the same advisory circular sets out additional steps that depend on how long it has been expired (CAA-AC-PEL001, §5.9). Check the current requirements with UCAA before you plan a return to flying.

Converting a foreign licence

If you already hold a licence from another State, UCAA guidance refers to conversion under regulation 31 of the Personnel Licensing Regulations (CAA-AC-PEL001, §5.1). Requirements depend on your existing licence, so confirm them directly with the PEL Office.

Common mistakes

• Booking the skill test too early. UCAA guidance says the theory should be passed first.
• Letting the three-month window run out. Plan your sittings so that all nine subjects fit inside it.
• Forgetting English proficiency. It is a licence requirement, not an optional extra.
• Arriving with an uncertified logbook. Have entries certified before you submit.
• Relying on second-hand hour figures. Confirm flight experience minimums with UCAA.

What Ariguma can help with

Ariguma Aviation Consultants offers the PPL exam practice course, with practice questions and explanations, timed mock exams and a study mode across all nine subjects. It is independent study support, not an official UCAA examination, and it is not endorsed by UCAA. We also offer training guidance for people planning their route into aviation.