According to ICAO, an applicant must be at least 17 years old, demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skill, and hold at least a Class 3 medical certificate.
[2] In the United States the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has the authority to issue a PPL or another pilot license.
In Europe, civil aviation authorities issue licences based on common EASA standards.
The aircraft categories described by ICAO for the purposes of the PPL are aeroplane, airship, helicopter and powered lift.
[1] Many countries issue PPLs in additional categories such as sailplane (glider), balloon, powered parachute, and weight-shift control.
Aerial application (crop seeding, spraying and dusting), whether conducted by a commercial certificate holder operating for hire or by a private pilot treating a crop in which he is the owner of a substantial share, requires an Authorization under Part 137 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
The qualifying cross-country flight must be at least 180 km (100 NM), and the applicant must have received at least 20 hours instruction in helicopters.
[1] In the United States, the legal aircraft category is known as rotorcraft, which is subdivided into helicopters and gyroplanes.