We expect the NPPL to be launched on 1 Jul 02. The delay has mainly been down to refining administrative proposals to a standard acceptable to the CAA; these are primarily technical issues as the basic concept of the licence has been agreed for some while now.
Basically, the licence may have one or more ratings for SEP, SLMG, Microlight. There are accreditation rights for other aviators which are far more generous than under JAR/FCL. The medical requirements will be simpler. A NPPL with SEP rating will restrict the holder to Day VFR flight in UK airspace in an ac with no more than 4 seats and an AUW of no more than 2 tonne. You will not be able to add Night, IMC or FI ratings to a NPPL with SEP Rating. Training for the NPPL with SEP rating will still be required to be conducted in aircraft and at sites which meet the same requirements as for JAR/FCL training. There will be an 'upgrade' process to the JAR/FCL PPL. Initially, only the JAR/FCL PPL exams will be available, it is possible that a simpler form of exam may be available later, depending on market demand. Revalidation/renewal procedures should be simpler than they currently are for the JAR/FCL PPL with SEP rating.
Hopefully it'll be worth the wait.....