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The National Private Pilots Licence allows
the holder to fly UK (G) registered aircraft up to 2000kgs in the United
Kingdom only. Because the licence does not meet the required minimum
standards for training internationally, it is not recognised for flights
abroad. It is also not possible to attach additional ratings such as night
and IMC.
Pre-requisites
The student must be at least 14 years of age
on commencement of training. Before the first solo flight the student must
be at least 16 years of age and have a general declaration (medical) form
signed by their General Practitioner. It is strongly recommended that the
general declaration is sought before commencing training, since failing to
meet the medical requirements will result in a cessation of training.
Course
Requirements
Before a student can be issued with a NPPL(SSEA)
he or she must be at least 17 years of age and have accrue a minimum of 32
hours flying as a pilot under training. Of those 32 hours, 22 hours must be
dual instruction (to include at least 1 hour of instrument appreciation)
and 10 hours solo (of which 4 hours must be on cross country exercises). Unlike
the JAR-FCL PPL(A) the skills tests do not form part of the hours required
for licence issue, so the total hours required for the NPPL will be nearer
to 35 on completion of the course.
The student must successfully pass multiple
choice theoretical knowledge examinations in 7 subjects which includes: Air
Law, Meteorology, Navigation, Aircraft Technical, Flight Planning and
Performance, Human Performance and Limitations and Radio Telephony.
If a radio telephony licence is required a
radio telephony oral exam must also be taken.
Course
Progress
The course begins with introductions to the
controls and progresses towards general handling. The general handling
phase culminates in the aerodrome circuit and eventually the first solo
exercise. After a period of solo consolidation, the student will complete a
further phase of general handling before learning to navigate and taking
greater responsibility for managing the flight. Once the instructor is
convinced of the student’s ability the first solo cross country
flight will take place. After several more solo flights the student will
take the navigation skills test and following successful completion, the
qualifying cross country. The final stage to the course is a general skills
test covering the general handling exercises.
The average student will take much longer
than minimum hours to complete the course. Despite a lower minimum hours
requirement to the JAR-FCL PPL(A), there is in reality very little
difference in the syllabus (only radio navigation aids are omitted). To
complete the NPPL syllabus in 32 hours is an exceptional achievement. Given
that most students will accrue at least as many hours as required by the
JAR-FCL course, it is recommended that (unless medical circumstances
dictate otherwise) the JAR course is followed.
Privileges
of the NPPL (SSEA)
The holder of a NPPL(SSEA) is permitted to
fly:
·
aircraft with a maximum take off weight not
exceeding 2000kgs
·
during the hours of daylight
·
in flight visibilities not less than 5km
·
while remaining in sight of the surface at
all times
·
with a maximum of 3 passengers (providing
there is no restriction on the general declaration), but not for
remuneration.
The holder of an NPPL is not permitted to fly
at night or in any circumstances which require adherence to Instrument
Flight Rules. And unfortunately, it is not possible to add ratings which
remove these restrictions.
Revalidation
Requirements
The NPPL is valid for life, but much like the
JAR-FCL PPL(A) the SSEA (simple single engine aircraft) rating must be
revalidated every 24 months. The revalidation by experience shall include
12 hours of flight experience over the validity period of the rating of
which 8 hours must be as pilot in command and it should include a 1 hour
training flight with an instructor. Additionally, during the final year of
the rating the NPPL holder must fly at least 6 hours.
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