UK NPPL to France
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UK NPPL to France
Has anyone managed to do this (legally) ? A Dutch pilot in another thread suggests that pilots with their local equivalent just contact the relevant authority - the DGAC in this case.
I switched to the NPPL a couple of years ago to save money on yearly medicals, and though lunch in Le Touquet isn't terribly important to my lifestyle, stupid bureaucracy has always angered me. I suppose if I wait a while my licence will suddenly turn into a European recreational licence and I'll magically be transformed into a cross channel pilot again....
Bernie
I switched to the NPPL a couple of years ago to save money on yearly medicals, and though lunch in Le Touquet isn't terribly important to my lifestyle, stupid bureaucracy has always angered me. I suppose if I wait a while my licence will suddenly turn into a European recreational licence and I'll magically be transformed into a cross channel pilot again....
Bernie
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Well, I thought it was a clear restriction of the NPPL, so if you decide to take the NPPL, then you have to do so, knowing of the restrictions.
out of interest, is it possible to "upgrade" to a full PPL?
out of interest, is it possible to "upgrade" to a full PPL?
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Yes, I know that. And if I use a TeamEurostar I can register it as a microlight and go anywhere in Europe with an NPPL M, or I can register it as a VLA and only go around the UK with an NPPL SEP. Exactly the same aircraft, and exactly the same me.
As I said, bureaucratic stupidity angers me. I assume from the lack of positive replies that no-one has actually done this by asking the DGAC.
As I said, bureaucratic stupidity angers me. I assume from the lack of positive replies that no-one has actually done this by asking the DGAC.
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“As I said, bureaucratic stupidity angers me. I assume from the lack of positive replies that no-one has actually done this by asking the DGAC.”
I think this has been done. I have read several posts on various BBs, and I have bumped into people at fly ins who say they had done it, but as I have a CAA PPL I did not take too much notice. Why not just apply and see what happens, you have nothing to loose. The Micro license did have the same restriction but it got removed because the authorities were being inundated with requests and they won the right to fly.
The new European NPPL (based on our NPPL) is expected to come in next year and will give you the right to fly in Europe anyway.
The weight increase on a Eurostar VLA over a micro is very worthwhile, you could even paint it
Rod1
I think this has been done. I have read several posts on various BBs, and I have bumped into people at fly ins who say they had done it, but as I have a CAA PPL I did not take too much notice. Why not just apply and see what happens, you have nothing to loose. The Micro license did have the same restriction but it got removed because the authorities were being inundated with requests and they won the right to fly.
The new European NPPL (based on our NPPL) is expected to come in next year and will give you the right to fly in Europe anyway.
The weight increase on a Eurostar VLA over a micro is very worthwhile, you could even paint it
Rod1
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It most definitely has been done.
I know of one person who gained all the permissions to get from the north of Scotland to Portugal in a homebuilt with a NPPL, so that meant permissions for both aeroplane and pilot.
Unfortunately he only made it as far as France due to weather delays, but not for lack of the neccesary permissions.
I know of one person who gained all the permissions to get from the north of Scotland to Portugal in a homebuilt with a NPPL, so that meant permissions for both aeroplane and pilot.
Unfortunately he only made it as far as France due to weather delays, but not for lack of the neccesary permissions.
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Well, given that you CHOSE an NPPL to save money, you're hardly in a position to complain!
Also, remember what the "N" stands for - it's a "National" licence so it's bound to come with restrictions.
Any mutual recognition is a bonus.
Also, remember what the "N" stands for - it's a "National" licence so it's bound to come with restrictions.
Any mutual recognition is a bonus.
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“stupid bureaucracy has always angered me.”
“Well, given that you CHOSE an NPPL to save money, you're hardly in a position to complain!”
I think that is a bit harsh. EASA are busy copying the NPPL as a better option than the existing PPL and seem to agree that the existing license is too OTT. Very soon we will get a low cost, Europe wide license for recreational flyers, hopefully with training on permit aircraft from unlicensed strips. Not good news if you run a flying school, but it will save people money and get more pilots into the air.
Rod1
“Well, given that you CHOSE an NPPL to save money, you're hardly in a position to complain!”
I think that is a bit harsh. EASA are busy copying the NPPL as a better option than the existing PPL and seem to agree that the existing license is too OTT. Very soon we will get a low cost, Europe wide license for recreational flyers, hopefully with training on permit aircraft from unlicensed strips. Not good news if you run a flying school, but it will save people money and get more pilots into the air.
Rod1
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Which as well and good but I believe (cynically?) that it is an attempt to create a 2 tier system of licensing in order to keep us out of the way of the airlines. Part of me thinks that this will end up being bad for us.
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Well, given that you CHOSE an NPPL to save money, you're hardly in a position to complain!
Any mutual recognition is a bonus.
Any mutual recognition is a bonus.
A friend has a letter from the DGAC which states basically that its the same as a NPPL(M)...
B
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Don't forget to get permission from the UK Authorities also. Many seem to overlook that requirement.
A failure to do so would be a lovely get out clause for the insurance company.
Regards,
DFC
A failure to do so would be a lovely get out clause for the insurance company.
Regards,
DFC
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Which as well and good but I believe (cynically?) that it is an attempt to create a 2 tier system of licensing in order to keep us out of the way of the airlines. Part of me thinks that this will end up being bad for us.
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NPPL
The chap leading the CAA negotiations within EASA gave a presentation to the GAPAN/CFS seminar some weeks ago. He appeared gob smacked to be told that a great many private pilots used their private privileges seriously as a means of transport, throughout Europe, often on business. He was sent away with a flea in his ear.
DFC
Why should an NPPL ask the CAA if they can fly in France. If the french say yes then all power to the elbow. The CAA would be chuffed to bits, I should think. Their baby will have been recognised at long last.
DFC
Why should an NPPL ask the CAA if they can fly in France. If the french say yes then all power to the elbow. The CAA would be chuffed to bits, I should think. Their baby will have been recognised at long last.
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Well, given that you CHOSE an NPPL to save money, you're hardly in a position to complain!
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DFC
Why should an NPPL ask the CAA if they can fly in France. If the french say yes then all power to the elbow. The CAA would be chuffed to bits, I should think. Their baby will have been recognised at long last.
Why should an NPPL ask the CAA if they can fly in France. If the french say yes then all power to the elbow. The CAA would be chuffed to bits, I should think. Their baby will have been recognised at long last.
Note the bit about flying outside the UK.
Note also that the UK only extends to 3nm from the coast.
When you are 4nm south of St. Cathren's point heading for France you are outside the UK, not in French airspace and need permisison from the authority whose airspace you are in.
I am sure that it would be given without any problem but the laqck of such a permission could be used by an insurance company to avoid paying out.
Many pilots wrongly assume that ratings limited to the UK can be automatically used up to the FIR boundary. Unfortunately that is not the case when the FIR boundary is more than 3nm from the coast.
Regards,
DFC
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Similar to my choice to save money on my car insurance by choosing TPFT - if I break a windscreen, I can't complain about not having a free replacement (as I would have done with comprehensive cover).
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In a case where the holder is constrained by circumstance then they can moan! If it's an economic choice, then they have no case to answer.
I shall email the DGAC and see what they say - provided I can work out how to say what I want to say in French - and if I get a positive result, I shall put it to the CAA. And if people aren't nasty to me, I'll post it here.
B
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Copy email ref flying to France on an NPPL, try and get a reply giving you blanket cover
Bonjour,
Afin de pouvoir vous répondre correctement, pourriez-vous m'adresser la
copie de vos licences.
Merci pour votre collaboration.
Yvette THOMASSET
DAC/N/D2AL
ORLY SUD 108
94396 ORLY AEROGARE CEDEX
Tél : 01 69 57 74 68/ Fax : 01 69 57 74 71
Mèl : [email protected]
Bonjour,
Afin de pouvoir vous répondre correctement, pourriez-vous m'adresser la
copie de vos licences.
Merci pour votre collaboration.
Yvette THOMASSET
DAC/N/D2AL
ORLY SUD 108
94396 ORLY AEROGARE CEDEX
Tél : 01 69 57 74 68/ Fax : 01 69 57 74 71
Mèl : [email protected]