PPL and NPPL?
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: england, south west
PPL and NPPL?
What are the main differences between a PPL and a NPPL? Forgive me for not knowing much, but im looking to build more knowlodge and i wanted to ask here, as no-doubt there are some people here with first hand experience. From what i have read the biggest dis-advantage of a NPPL is not being able to fly abroad... or is there anything i have missed? 
Also hope im not too confusing but the LAPL sounds like another license, is this better than the NPPL, with more advantages?
Also hope im not too confusing but the LAPL sounds like another license, is this better than the NPPL, with more advantages?
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Norwich
You are correct you cannot fly abroad on an NPPL and you cannot become a commercial pilot on a NPPL.
But if you have no wish to fly commercial and just fly as a hobby the NPPL is ideal. But if you wish to fly commercially go PPL
Also NPPL requires less hours to obtain the licence.
But if you have no wish to fly commercial and just fly as a hobby the NPPL is ideal. But if you wish to fly commercially go PPL
Also NPPL requires less hours to obtain the licence.
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Plumpton Green
Ireland and France accept the UK NPPL, France with a Class 2 medical.
https://www.iaa.ie/index.jsp?p=100&n...nn=434&lID=843
https://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv...2010_13_EN.pdf
Like the PPL, the NPPL can be a stepping stone to a CPL, albeit one further away.
https://www.iaa.ie/index.jsp?p=100&n...nn=434&lID=843
https://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv...2010_13_EN.pdf
Like the PPL, the NPPL can be a stepping stone to a CPL, albeit one further away.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 802
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From: England
Virtually no where as you have to pay a wodge of cash to the CAA for the privilege. However I do believe a place at wycombe does.
However as its basically a paperwork exercise to get a LAPL from an NPPL. I really don't think there is any disadvantage getting a LAPL of the back of an NPPL.
However as its basically a paperwork exercise to get a LAPL from an NPPL. I really don't think there is any disadvantage getting a LAPL of the back of an NPPL.
Last edited by Mickey Kaye; 21st December 2013 at 17:04.
Joined: May 2006
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From: Worcs/Glos border
There is a small difference in the the minimum hours to obtain an NPPL and PPL, 40 compared with 45 IIRC, but the actual time it takes will depend on the student's progress. Very few people obtain either licence from scratch in the minimum hours.
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Strathaven Airfield
It is all confusing:
If you want to fly a light aircraft, starting today, you can have an EASA SEP, a LAPL and an NPPL SSEA.
After 2015, depending on the type of light aircraft you want to fly, licence requirements differ.
If you wish to fly an EASA Annex 1 aircraft - think Cessna and Piper - then you'll need an EASA licence (so SEP or LAPL).
If you wish to fly a "non-EASA" aircraft, known as Annex 2 - and basically home-built, kit-built, warbirds and microlights - then you can have just an NPPL SSEA or you can use your EASA SEP or LAPL.
If you want a LAPL, you can do it at a few flying schools (according to the CAA) who are basically having it added on to their list of courses free. Or you can - until 2015 at least - do an NPPL SSEA and convert it to a LAPL through "grandfather" rights. I know a few people who have done that, since they own Annex 1 aircraft and so have to have a EASA licence by 2015.
Many people prefer the NPPL SSEA or LAPL because of lower medical requirements - although it is very hard to find a GP willing to do a LAPL medical because of the hoops/paperwork the GP has to do.
Finally, you can get an NPPL Micro and convert it very easily to a NPPL SSEA (three hour minimum syllabus). Then the NPPL SSEA to a LAPL and the LAPL to a EASA SEP.
If you want to fly a light aircraft, starting today, you can have an EASA SEP, a LAPL and an NPPL SSEA.
After 2015, depending on the type of light aircraft you want to fly, licence requirements differ.
If you wish to fly an EASA Annex 1 aircraft - think Cessna and Piper - then you'll need an EASA licence (so SEP or LAPL).
If you wish to fly a "non-EASA" aircraft, known as Annex 2 - and basically home-built, kit-built, warbirds and microlights - then you can have just an NPPL SSEA or you can use your EASA SEP or LAPL.
If you want a LAPL, you can do it at a few flying schools (according to the CAA) who are basically having it added on to their list of courses free. Or you can - until 2015 at least - do an NPPL SSEA and convert it to a LAPL through "grandfather" rights. I know a few people who have done that, since they own Annex 1 aircraft and so have to have a EASA licence by 2015.
Many people prefer the NPPL SSEA or LAPL because of lower medical requirements - although it is very hard to find a GP willing to do a LAPL medical because of the hoops/paperwork the GP has to do.
Finally, you can get an NPPL Micro and convert it very easily to a NPPL SSEA (three hour minimum syllabus). Then the NPPL SSEA to a LAPL and the LAPL to a EASA SEP.
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 217
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From: UK
Finally, you can get an NPPL Micro and convert it very easily to a NPPL SSEA (three hour minimum syllabus). Then the NPPL SSEA to a LAPL and the LAPL to a EASA SEP.
