Microlight - NPPL - JAR PPL

[johnboy1]

I Know this is for professional pilots, but I already posted on Pilot Mags Forum, but there is little activity.

If I do a Microlight Lisence what is the procedure for upgrading to NPPL or JAR PPL?

If I just want to fly light aircraft in the UK is Microlight Lisence enough? It is certainly much cheaper.

Many thanks,

John

[Linda Mollison]

From LASORS (available on the CAA website www.caa.co.uk), section c6.2:

Upgrade to JAR-FCL PPL(A)

The holder of a NPPL with SSEA (simple single engine aircraft) aircraft rating wishing to obtain a JAR-FCL PPL(A) shall have completed on SEP (single engine piston) Aeroplanes:-
a) At least 45 hours flight time, of which at least 35 hours must have been as a pilot of SEP aeroplanes. A maximum of 5 hours may be completed in an approved FNPT or flight simulator. This flight time must include:-
1) 20 hours dual instruction of SEP aeroplanes with a JAR qualified instructor;
2) 10 hours solo flight time on SEP aeroplanes which must include 5 hours solo cross country flight time including one cross country flight of at least 270 km (150 nm), during which full stop landings at two different aerodromes different from the aerodrome of departure shall be made as per JAR-FCL 1.125.
b) Pass the JAR-FCL PPL(A) Theoretical Knowledge Examinations in all subjects.
c) Hold a valid JAR-FCL Class 1 or 2 medical certificate.
d) Pass the JAR-FCL PPL(A) Skill Test as detailed in Section C1.4.

And the answer to your second question is yes.

Linda

[airborne_artist]

Fine to start with an NPPL(M) but (from LASORS):

"Holders of pilot licences or equivalent privileges for Helicopters (including UK QSP(H) with no previous SEP aeroplane experience), Microlights having fixed wings and moveable aerodynamic control surfaces acting in all three dimensions, Gliders, Self-Sustaining Gliders or Self Launching sailplanes or gyroplanes, may be credited with 10% of their total flight time as Pilot-in-Command in such aircraft up to a maximum of 10 hours towards a JAR-FCL PPL(A)."

So 100 hours of NPPL(M) time will give you 10 hours towards PPL(A) - not a good conversion rate for your money spent, unless your NPPL(M) hours are almost free.

[Rod1]

If you are not going commercial you could upgrade your NPPL M to a NPPL SAP. Details on the NPPL website (of the PFA site).

Rod1

[englishal]

So 100 hours of NPPL(M) time will give you 10 hours towards PPL(A) - not a good conversion rate for your money spent, unless your NPPL(M) hours are almost free.
Rip off springs to mind!

Here's what you do:-

You go to America. AFAIK The FAA will recognise your Microlight hours towards the issuance of a FAA certificate. You do a few dual / solo flights, make sure you can a) fly, and b) meet all of the remaining FAA requirements (like night flight / cross country / instructor time etc....), sit the ground exams and flight test and now you hold an ICAO PPL. You do not need to convert this to fly in the UK unless you want to, and depending on the number of hours total time you hold, conversion is a piece of cake...


Thats what I would do anyway.

[Whopity]

The NPLG Website provides the Microlight Conversion details http://www.nppl.uk.com/ under Licence Allowances.

[johnboy1]

Going to Eglinton on Saturday for a lesson in their 152. See how that goes and then make a decision. Thanks folks.

[charliegolf]

JB1

I recently did what you propose, and I don't recognise the advice you've been given here. Haven't recently checked LASORS, but....

I went from NPPL microlight to NPPL microlight AND SSEA (Simple Single Engine Aircraft) in 14 hours of Cessna 150 time.

From memory, I was required to do 'such training as deemed necessary by my instructor', a period of instrument appreciation flying, and the tests, Nav and Skills.

The discretionary training was, I believe, a minimum of 3 hours, along with the other bits.

LASORS will tell you how to go from NPPL to JAR-PPL, but ALL your SSEA time will count.

Hope that helps.

CG