Largest aircraft for basic PPL's

[wrathchild666]

I recently passed my PPL skills test(Tuesday to be precise), and at this moment in time i am, as you can probably imagine, pretty chuffed.

I was wondering if someone knows what is the largest type of aircraft i will be permitted to fly, after differences traing of course. Possibly the Gyppsland Caravan?

[DB6]

I think the question was the largest, not the heaviest. So what we want is the largest single engined piston aircraft weighing up to 5700 kgs. Hmmmm, could be the Gyppsland, maybe the An-2. Good question, and one which would probably be answered fairly rapidly on the Aviation History & Nostalgia forum.
In fact I've just been and asked it there, so we wait with baited breath......

[Brooklands]

I reckon its probably the AN-2, as its about the biggest single around. I also have this feeling that the 5700Kg limit no longer exists post JAR/JAA. However you would need differences training as its a tailwheel, so the Airvan may be the largest single you can fly on the basic 'no-frills' PPL.

Brooklands

[Kit d'Rection KG]

Careful! Don't confuse classification, weight restrictions, and the requirement for type ratings...

[matspart3]

Probably the ultimate single-engined piston under 5.7 tonnes

http://www.caa.co.uk/applicationmodules/ginfo/ginfo_photo.aspx?regmark=G-CBEL&imgname=G-CBEL001&imgtype=jpg

[EvilKitty]

I also have this feeling that the 5700Kg limit no longer exists post JAR/JAA.

Curiosity got the better of me and I can't find any reference (in the ANO) to a 5700Kg limit except for public transport flights. I don't deny the possibility that I missed it, so if anyone does have a reference...

On a similar note, I'm sure I read somewhere that as a PPL I'm limited to three passengers, but again, can't find a reference now. Of course it may just have been a late night misreading of the three take off and landings in the prior 90 days before carrying passengers...

[J.A.F.O.]

If you've got a fine, upstanding lifetime National PPL then you are limited to 3 pax but if you've got one of them fancy new european jobbies then you're not.

[Billredshoes]

Hi

AN2 upto 12 pas + 2 crew see www.an2club.info (http://www.an2club.info) with the required checkout.

[englishal]

Isn't it a limit of the aircraft rather than the licence. I.e. aircraft over 5700 Kg or in FAA units, 12500 lbs require a type rating....

However, with a type rating (in FAA land again) and the other required bits and pieces, there is no limit to what you could fly with a PPL......

[IO540]

Yes, FAA is different; with a TR you can fly any single crew plane on a PPL. Which is how it should be: the TR is supposed to teach you about that plane :)

Under CAA it's more complicated.

[Chilli Monster]

Yes, FAA is different; with a TR you can fly any single crew plane on a PPL. Which is how it should be: the TR is supposed to teach you about that plane :)

Under CAA it's more complicated.

Not quite:

FAA rules stipulate a type rating for ANY aircraft over 12,500 pounds mauw or any jet powered aircraft regardless of weight.

First - let's take the BE200. Under FAA rules you don't need a TR for part 91 ops (you do for part 121 or 135), under CAA you do (because it's a turboprop). However, there's no reason why a UK PPL, with a type rating on his licence, cannot fly a BE200 single crew.

Next - Citation, namely the 550 or 560 variant (13600 & 15900 pounds). FAA rules require a type rating as do JAR / CAA (it's a jet). Now, if you get the 8050 exemption you can fly the aircraft single crew only but only in the USA. 8050 is not recognised in JAA airspace. So, you can still fly it on a PPL under either regime, provided you have a type rating, and providing there is somebody with a type rating in the right hand seat also.

When you dig down into the minutae of the regulations, you often find that there's no great difference in what you can do, it's just the certification / licencing requirements that are the stumbling block.

[shortstripper]

If you've got a fine, upstanding lifetime National PPL then you are limited to 3 pax but if you've got one of them fancy new european jobbies then you're not.

I take it you're referring to the new NPPL? I have a fine, upstanding "national" PPL that allows me to fly more than three passengers ... an old lifetime UK PPL :p

SS

[3 Point]

Hey 666, well done on passing your test. As you will see, you get lots of opinion here some relevant some not!

The real answer to your question depends on whether you have passed for a JAR licence or a UK National licence. With the JAR licence your Single Piston Class Rating has no weight limit so, if it has one piston engine you can fly it provided you get the required difference training for tailwheel, VP prop, retractable gear etc as appropriate.

For the UK National licence there are more severe limits. If in doubt ask your instructor for authorative advice.

Happy landings

3 Point

[J.A.F.O.]

I take it you're referring to the new NPPL? I have a fine, upstanding "national" PPL that allows me to fly more than three passengers ... an old lifetime UK PPL :p
SS

The honorable shortstripper is correct, I was referring to the new NPPL(SSEA) and not the CAA PPL(A) of old. If I recall correctly it's a total of four persons but you're pretty much duty bound to take yourself, it's not safe sending 4 pax flying by themselves.

[Cowboy-76]

As far as I can think the AN2 would be the biggest Single Engine Piston aircraft that you can fly with your licence 12 pax and 1 pilot. The Gippsland Airvan would be the second biggest SEP that you can fly in Europe without a type rating 7 pax and 1 pilot. But the Airvan would be the biggest machine (most pax) on the UK reg that you could fly with your licence.

[Solid Rust Twotter]

AFAIK AN2 manual states two crew required but one may be an engineer. It's been a while since I flew one.

[cirrus01]

AN 2 , absolutely brilliant............if you can afford the hourly feed of Fuel and Oil. :eek: :eek: He, He, ....life in the slow lane !:D :D

[Billredshoes]

If any one out there would like to fly an AN2 PM and
I will send you the info :ok: