RPL Endorsements and Ratings: What Comes After Your Recreational Pilot Licence

The Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL) is a standalone licence, but it's also a stepping stone. Once you hold an RPL, a range of endorsements expand what you can do with it — and your RPL hours count directly toward a PPL or CPL. Here's the full picture.

What the base RPL allows

The basic RPL (without additional endorsements) allows you to fly solo as Pilot in Command (PIC) on day Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flights. The following privileges apply from the moment you hold the licence:

• Fly solo as PIC on day VFR flights
• Operate within 25 NM of your departure aerodrome
• Fly single-engine, non-turbine aircraft with a Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW) of 1,500 kg or less
• Carry passengers once recent experience requirements are met
• Fly in Class G uncontrolled airspace

Note that the base RPL does not restrict you to a single passenger. However, carrying passengers is subject to meeting recent experience requirements, and carrying more than one passenger may involve additional conditions under Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) Part 61. Always check the current regulations for the full details on passenger-carrying privileges.

RPL endorsements available

Controlled airspace endorsement

This endorsement allows you to fly in Class D and, with further training, Class C airspace. It is essential if your home or destination aerodrome is Class D — for example, Bankstown, Moorabbin, or Archerfield.

• Specific training in radio communication procedures and ATC interactions
• Demonstrated competency in controlled aerodrome operations, including clearances, taxi instructions, and departure and arrival procedures
• Flight test at a controlled aerodrome

Cross-country endorsement

This endorsement removes the 25 NM restriction, allowing you to fly cross-country routes beyond your departure aerodrome. Navigation training forms the core of this endorsement.

• Additional navigation training covering map reading, GNSS navigation, and track error correction
• Aerodrome endorsements for each new aerodrome you intend to use
• Demonstrated competency in navigation, diversions, and en route decision-making

Aerodrome endorsements

Each unfamiliar aerodrome requires an aerodrome endorsement — a briefing or flight assessment at that location. Requirements typically include the following steps:

• Study the aerodrome chart (Visual Approach Chart / VAC)
• Understand the specific traffic pattern, noise abatement procedures, and local hazards
• Fly a circuit assessment with an instructor, or complete an approved briefing at some aerodromes

Passenger-carrying requirements (recent experience)

The RPL allows passenger carriage, but you must meet recent experience requirements under CASR Part 61 before exercising this privilege. These requirements apply each time you wish to carry passengers.

• At least 3 takeoffs and 3 landings in the preceding 90 days to carry passengers
• Completed an approved flight review within the required period

This is frequently tested in the CASA exam. Exam trap: the 3 takeoffs and 3 landings requirement applies to the preceding 90 days — not 30 days or 6 months.

Additional aircraft type endorsements

The RPL is initially issued for a specific aircraft type — for example, a Cessna 152. To fly a different aircraft type, you need a type endorsement from an authorised instructor.

• Type familiarisation training with an instructor
• Competency assessment on the new type
• Entry in your logbook and/or certificate of validation

Night VFR — not available on RPL

Night VFR is not available on the RPL. To fly at night legally, you must hold at least a PPL with a night VFR rating. This is one of the primary reasons pilots progress from RPL to PPL.

From RPL to PPL

The RPL is structured as a pathway to the Private Pilot Licence (PPL). The table below summarises the key differences between the two licences.

Feature	RPL	PPL
Minimum hours	25 hours total (including 5 solo)	40 hours total (including 10 solo cross-country)
Night VFR	No	Yes (with rating)
Controlled airspace	With endorsement (Class D/C)	Class C and D included
25 NM limit	Yes (removed by endorsement)	No limit
Aircraft weight	≤ 1,500 kg MTOW, single-engine, non-turbine	No MTOW restriction (within type rating)
Medical	General aviation medical or driver's licence medical declaration (with conditions)	CASA Class 2 medical required

RPL hours credit toward PPL

All RPL flying hours count toward the PPL minimum of 40 hours. Most students who complete the RPL and then continue to PPL will reach 40 hours within the normal training progression. The theory exam requirements also overlap — RPL theory covers the same subjects as PPL theory, which adds topics such as night operations and more detailed navigation.

From PPL to CPL

The Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) requires 200 hours total time, including specific solo, cross-country, and instrument time. RPL hours count toward CPL minimums in the same way they count toward PPL. The typical pathway is one of the following:

1. RPL → PPL → instrument rating and multi-engine endorsement → CPL
2. Integrated CPL course, which may not require the RPL as a separate intermediate step

Should you start with RPL or go straight to PPL?

The RPL costs less upfront — it requires fewer minimum hours and no Class 2 medical — and gets you flying as PIC faster. If your goal is recreational flying only, the RPL with endorsements can cover most of what you need. If you have any professional aviation ambitions, the PPL is the correct baseline from which to build.

Many schools offer combined RPL/PPL training programmes. You complete the RPL first, saving money on the medical until you know flying is right for you, then continue seamlessly to PPL.

Theory exam relevance

The RPL theory exam is administered by CASA via its approved exam providers and tests air law topics including licence privileges, endorsement requirements, and operational limitations. The exam is 2 hours long with a pass mark of 70%. Expect questions on the following topics:

• What an RPL holder can and cannot do without endorsements
• Recent experience requirements for passenger carriage
• The difference between Class G and controlled airspace rules
• When you need an aerodrome endorsement
• RPL aircraft limitations: single-engine, non-turbine, ≤ 1,500 kg MTOW

Practising with The Pilot Exam theory questions will expose you to the exact question styles CASA uses on these topics.