NPPL Training

[aviator84]

Hi there, Just wondering if anyone can give me any info regarding the NPPL, ive around 16 hours on PA28's and some right seat hours in C172's and PA34's, up in the circuit atm and waiting to solo, im basically getting the hours in when i can due to time and £, im just wondering how much quicker i can gain a NPPL and how many hours less are involved in training?, i dont plan on flying abroad etc as i intend to just do some local VFR so i think a NPPL would be a better option., any feedback would be appreciated. all the best

[bonniejack]

I think the NPPL is an excellent route - but not to get a licence quicker. The minimum requirement is 32 hours but you already have 16 and you are simply not going to complete in another 16. Realistically I think you should expect to need the same number of hours as a JAR PPL. The syllabus is near enough the same. Check out the requirements here http://www.nppl.uk.com/Application%20Forms.htm The hours quoted are minimums and your instructor will not allow you to progress beyond your abilities.
I am about to do my qualifying X country and then final hanndling test and at present I have 45 hours logged. I am doing NPPL because I have no professional ambitions , no plans to fly abroad, no desire to fly in the dark or do IMC/IR. The bonus for me is the cheaper medical, with less frequent renewal, cheaper licence fee etc. Why pay for what you do not need. Sorry to seem negative but flying is full of setbacks, especially this year , the weather. I say just carry on with whichever course for as long as it takes but enjoy it. It is worth it.

[aviator84]

good stuff - sounds so much more suited to me than a full PPL, are the ground exams basically the same as with a full PPL coarse?, i must agree the weather has been terrbile this year "summer" have we had one yet lol, just last month i was up in a PA28 for the first time in around 10 months - the weather wasnt great and wind was gusting to 20 kts - runway in use was 07 with a crosswind from around 160* lets just say it was challenging to say the least but thats what i love best about it :D http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PzYutb_sPhk let me know what you what yous think, i really should have straightended out just before touchdown but sure any landing you can walk away from as they say :D

[aviator84]

i forgot to mention that in the top post that ive still to put in for my aviation law exam and get my medical done, im currently studying aviation law and theres a lot to take in, does the JAR class 2 medical restrict you from bringing pax up as a NPPL licence holder?

[bonniejack]

I quote

"If you already hold a valid JAA Class 1 or 2 medical certificate, or a UK CAA Class1, 2 or 3 medical certificate, this will also allow you to exercise the privileges of a National PPL"

One of the limitations of the NPPL is that you are limited to three passengers. Keep plugging on with the exams, they are the same ones for both licences.

[gcolyer]

Not just limited to 3 passengers. You are restricted to daytime VFR only and not allow outside the UK.

Also the EASA will not recognise National licenses which will cause an issue when it is in full swing.

[J.A.F.O.]

I've had an NPPL for about three years, now and haven't wanted to do anything that it won't let me do.

As bonniejack said don't bank on it being any quicker but the medical cost me a grand total of nothing and it's valid for about a century and a half, I've paid for the licence once and won't need to pay for it every five years. It's not for everyone but it works for me, my ideal flight is an evening or dawn bimble in a Cub and it's hard to get more than three passengers in the one spare seat.

The money I've saved on the medical (I could've got a Class 2 if I'd wanted one, but didn't) paid for my time with an instructor to keep it all legal.

UK only hasn't bothered me though there are those who have got clearance to fly overseas on an NPPL and they didn't explode or anything.

Yeah, the future and dear old EASA might change things but - here's a novel idea - they might even make it better.

[gcolyer]

JAFO

I would start looking more in to EASA...the future for NPPL is not looking bright, along with the old style CAA license and grandfather rights.

[aviator84]

Excellent thanks very much guys for your help, i wish i had signed up to pprune a long time ago, theres a wealth of information here from like minded people :D , the only part of training im rather nervous about is the Air Nav + Exam, is it also pretty much the same as standard PPL training?

[J.A.F.O.]

Av84

The entire NPPL syllabus is pretty much the PPL syllabus but they've shaved a few corners off and taken out the radio nav stuff. All the exams are the same.

Don't really know much about nav - it's impossible to be lost if you don't mind where you are.

[J.A.F.O.]

gc
I have little doubt that you are quite correct - but lots of hope.

[tangovictor]

aviator 84, a few misconceptions, re nppl
you can fly abroad, if you attain the nppl m, probably not with the nppl sep
however why bother flying out of date spam cans when a modern 3 axis microlight will out perform most, and is considerably cheaper to train in etc etc
I agree with you re flying at night / instruments / commercial etc good move