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Australia · Theory exams

The recreational pilot licence (RPL) in Australia

It lets you fly a light, single-engine aircraft as pilot in command, without supervision. The recreational pilot licence (RPL) from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) takes one theory exam (the RPLA) and at least 25 hours of flying. It comes with limits, and endorsements lift some of them.

  • RPLAIts theory exam
  • 90 daysRecency window for carrying a passenger
  • 25 hoursMinimum flying time before the test
Read CASA’s RPL pageFree practice test

Updated November 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What can you fly with a recreational pilot licence?

An RPL comes with these limits:

  • You stay within 25 nautical miles (NM) of your departure aerodrome, your flight training area or the route between them, unless you hold a navigation endorsement
  • Single-engine aircraft only. A multi-engine aircraft needs a private pilot licence (PPL) and a class rating
  • No solo flying at night, except in training under a flight instructor, with no passengers
  • You can’t be pilot in command of a multi-crew operation

The RPL isn’t an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) licence, and other countries don’t recognise it.

Carrying passengers and keeping it active

To carry a passenger, you need 3 take-offs and landings in the previous 90 days. To carry more than one, you need a Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate, or another pilot in a control seat who holds one and is authorised to fly that aircraft.

The same medical rule applies above 10,000 feet. To keep the licence active, you do a flight review.

See the medical options →

Endorsements that widen an RPL

You add these through a Part 141 training operator:

  • Controlled aerodrome (RPCT)
  • Controlled airspace (RPCA)
  • Flight radio (RPFR), which needs an aviation English language proficiency assessment
  • Recreational navigation (RPNA), which needs at least 5 hours of solo cross-country flying

The navigation endorsement is the one that lifts the 25 NM limit.

How do you get a recreational pilot licence?

CASA lists these steps:

  1. Train with a Part 141 training operator.
  2. Sit the English language assessment once, if you’ll use a radio.
  3. Get your medical certificate.
  4. Pass the RPL exam, the RPLA.
  5. Fly at least 25 hours: 20 hours dual and 5 hours as pilot in command.
  6. Pass the RPL flight test.
See how the RPLA works →See the exam fees →

What happened to the student pilot licence?

The RPL has replaced the student pilot licence and the general flying progress test (GFPT). If you hold those, you convert through a flight review and the Part 61 transition process.

A Recreation Aviation Australia (RA-Aus) pilot certificate counts as equivalent to an RPL. You apply on form 61‑1RTX and do a flight review, and your ratings and endorsements transfer. With the RA-Aus certificate itself, you can carry one passenger.

Sources: Civil Aviation Safety Authority and 1 more. Checked November 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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