FCL.105.A(a) sets the privileges of the aeroplane licence:
The privileges of the holder of an LAPL for aeroplanes are to act as PIC on single-engine piston aeroplanes-land (SEP(land)), single-engine piston aeroplanes-sea (SEP(sea)) or TMG with a maximum certificated take-off mass of 2000 kg or less, carrying a maximum of 3 passengers, such that there are always a maximum of 4 persons on board of the aircraft.
So although cost sharing allows up to six people on board, a LAPL(A) holder is limited to four, including the pilot. With four on board, each passenger's share is at most a quarter of the direct costs.
From 1 October 2025, SI 2025/878 removed FCL.105.A(b), which had previously required LAPL(A) holders to build further experience before carrying passengers. FCL.140.A(c), inserted by the same instrument, says that since 1 October 2026 LAPL(A) holders "must only exercise the privileges of a class rating included in the licence" when it has been issued or renewed in accordance with FCL.740, or revalidated in accordance with FCL.740.A(b). The CAA has not issued new LAPL(A)s since 1 October 2025; existing ones remain valid.
The usual recent experience rule applies before carrying passengers. See cost sharing by licence.
Source: UK Reg (EU) 1178/2011, Annex I, FCL.105.A
Read more in our guides
- Cost sharing on a PPL, LAPL or NPPL How UK cost-sharing rules apply to PPL, LAPL(A) and NPPL(A) holders: passenger limits, aircraft mass, microlights, recency and why there's no minimum hours.
- Can a private pilot charge passengers? A UK private pilot can't make a profit, but passengers can pay up to an equal share of the direct costs. Here's how the split works, with an example.
- Six-person limit: lower caps for LAPL, NPPL and microlights A cost-sharing flight can carry no more than six people including the pilot. LAPL(A) and NPPL(A) are limited to four, microlights to two. Here is how it works.
Related terms
Back to the glossary. Definitions summarise the legislation and CAA guidance and are not legal advice.