National Private Pilot Licence (A)

National PPL(A) General Information

The National Private Pilot's Licence came into effect in July 2002 in response to the requirement for a less bureaucratic and expensive option to the European Joint Aviation Regulations PPL that can impose an excessive burden on recreational pilots.  The medical requirements are also less stringent.  The NPPL is limited to:

• Visual Flight Rules only (no Instrument Meteorological Conditions or Instrument Rating can be added), minimum visibility 5km (10km under Special VFR)
• UK-registered aircraft only
• Flight in UK airspace only
• Simple aircraft types only (i.e. no tailwheel, turbo-charger, variable pitch propeller, retractable undercarriage, etc.)
• Maximum of three passengers

For full details of the NPPL, please refer to the NPPL web site at www.nppl.uk.com or look at our Links.  The NPPL comes under the auspices of the National Pilots Licensing Group Ltd.

There is no minimum age to begin training, but any hours flown prior to the age of 14 cannot be counted towards the experience requirements for the PPL.  Students may fly solo once they have reached the age of 16, and must be 17 or older at the time of their flight test.

Training Requirements

To apply for your PPL, an applicant must have completed at least 32 hours flight time as a pilot of aeroplanes.  This must include:

• 22 hours of dual instruction
• 10 hours supervised solo time, which must include;
• 4 hours solo-cross country flight time
• A qualifying cross country flight

The qualifying cross country flight must be of at least 100 nautical miles, landing at two different airfields.  Note that whilst the minimum total time required is 32 hours, students will often take a little longer, typically 32 - 55 hours, to complete their training.

Theoretical Exams

The same theoretical knowledge exams are to be completed as detailed in the JAA PPL, and are subject to the same standards and validity periods.

Skills Test

There are two skills tests undertaken in the NPPL:

• The Navigation Skills Test is taken prior to the qualifying solo cross-country flight during.
• The General Skills Test is completed at the end of the training

Medical Requirements

Holders of a NPPL must hold a valid NPPL medical declaration from their GP that equates to DVLA Group 1 or Group 2 Standard.

Upgrade to JAA PPL

An upgrade to the more flexible JAA PPL is available to NPPL holders, if certain experience and qualification criteria are met.