“I too have heard of NPPl's eventually being able to fly in non-UK airspace. Anyone know more of this?”
In the old days the micro licence was not recognised by other European states. So many people applied for permission to fly in French airspace that the French issued blanket permission.
Several NPPL (SEP) holders have applied and allegedly got permission to fly, so this is looking hopeful.
The RPPL, now renamed the EPPL could be a big step forward. The PFA have a hope that we will be able to teach people in permit airfields from unlicensed strips this would massively reduce the cost and increase the numbers.
Rod1