Rolling Circle - sorry, but your facts are incorrect.
There is now a NPPL Steering Committee which indeed represents the views of industry. This was formed following the CAA's request that NPPL proposals should represent the view of all industry bodies, rather than the CAA having to arbitrate over every objection to AOPA's own proposals. Hence AOPA, BGA, BMAA, GAMTA, GAPAN, PFA all have representation on the NPPLSC which is chaired by AOPA. The Flight Examiners' Association are also in favour of the NPPL, as is the CAA (FCL, GAD and Medical). Rapid progress is being made towards a solution acceptable to all the bodies representing the industry as soon as possible; the NPPLSC has had 2 formal meetings and will report progress to the CAA in March. The next NPPLSC meeting will be held in early April and all members are very keen to achieve the industry solution as soon as possible; this is not some stagnant euro-committee fond of its own voice, it is a group of aviators working together towards a common goal.
The NPPL will be a generic licence containing ratings appropriate to the categories of aircraft operated by the constituent organisations of the NPPLSC, cross-accreditation proposals, theoretical knowledge requirements, pre-entry training requirements for Night, IMC and NPPL/FI ratings are also being worked on. The emphasis for the NPPL/FI will be firmly on relevant knowledge rather than JAA esoterica; it is intended that the NPPL/FI will have roughly the same rights and privileges as the old PPL/FI or Restd. BCPL/FI including the right to receive remuneration within appropriate constraints.
The NPPL will be a product of industry's requirements endorsed by a highly enthusiastic CAA; in contrast, the JAR-FCL PPL requirements were forced upon the recreational flying industry by a heavy-handed Authority without proper consultation.
The licence will ONLY be valid in the UK, for that reason it is considered essential that the just-revised syllabus of a minimum of 32 hours of training and consolidation PLUS 2 Skill Tests (1 GH and 1 Nav) may only be carried out in the environment within which the licence will be valid. That means the UK, not Florida!
[This message has been edited by BEagle (edited 01 March 2001).]