View Full Version : Nppl (h) ?
Can anyone tell me what is the status of the alleged NPPL(H) in the UK?, is it coming or where is it up to or what?
I have heard several people mention it, but dont know the reality?
what do you peeps think?
Jonasraf
4th Apr 2003, 03:54
what is nppl ?
can someone explain it to me.
:confused: :confused: :confused:
NPPL is national PPL i.e not a JAR PPL, with lower requirements, like what the plank boys have. with as I understand it no route to upgrade to a JAR PPL unless of course you do the JAR PPL itself (please correct me if I am wrong)
kissmysquirrel - what is your source for that information?
muffin
4th Apr 2003, 20:15
Unfortunately I have to agree - I asked the same question of a CAA FCL rep last year and was told that there was no demand so it probably would not happen. The NPPL only came about because of intense lobbying pressure from the PFA et al, and there is just not the same pressure from the rotary community due to the lower numbers.
It is not so much a question of 35 hour helo pilots - I have a PPL(A) and a PPL(H) but an NPPL (A) would be perfectly adequate for my fixed wing activities (day VFR in the UK). Were there to be an NPPL(H), this would also be adequate for my rotary activities. The big difference between the two is the reduced medical requirements, ie for the NPPL you only have to have an HGV equivalent certification every 5 years I believe. At my current age, I have to have the full Class 2 JAR medical every year just for the rotary licence, otherwise I could drop back to the NPPL for fixed wing and save the annual cost and hassle.
As I am no more likely to cause an accident through possible medical incapacitation in a helicopter than I am in an aeroplane, I fail to see the need for the full Class 2 medical for one licence and not for the other.
But as I say, it is unlikely to happen. There would have to be an industry push to attract more budding helo pilots, and this does not seem to exist, possibly because the entry cost is so much higher.