You need a permit to participate in air traffic. A distinction is made between permits for:
- Aircraft
- Rotorcraft (example: helicopters)
- Motor gliders
- Gliders
- Free balloons (example: hot air balloon)
- Air sports equipment
Note: The licences for commercial and professional pilots as well as the licences for air sports pilots (microlight aircraft, hang gliders, paragliders and parachutists) do not fall under the responsibility of the state aviation authorities (Regierungspräsidien). Here, the Federal Office of Civil Aeronautics is responsible for transport/professional aircraft pilots and the air sports associations for air sports equipment pilots.
Air transport licences are issued for an unlimited period.
Ratings in airman's licences are partly limited in time and can be extended after the minimum requirements have been met. This is done by a handwritten entry on the back of the licence or by reissuing it.
In order to be able to exercise rights from a licence, proof must also be provided in part in the pilot's personal logbook.