This is a very interesting thread since as a Glider Pilot I have been considering the JAR PPL v NPPL argument with interest.
I recall that a few years ago, if you had a 'Silver C' gliding certificate excluding the exams and medical etc. you only had to fly a minimum of ten hours instruction to convert to a PPL. With the good old European harmonisation (JAR) I understand that this concession went, but I gather that this has now returned with the NPPL.
I fancy the idea of getting a PPL and I'm encouraged by the suggestion that you can 'swap over' halfway (subject to meeting the JAR medical requirements etc.) but I believe that you cant evert convert an NPPL to a JAR PPL without starting again at the beginning. Can anyone (Beags..??) confirm please.
I have been gliding for eleven years, hold a Silver C, 1/3 Gold and have about 160hrs to my name but would not for a minute wish to assume that going down either route is a mere formality. After all, the lever I hold in my left hand in a glider causes me to go up or down whereas on a powered aircraft...oh I diunno, I suppose the throttle kinda does the same thing!
'BLW'