NPPL Microlight books

[callum_62]

Hi All,

Planning to start my NPPL training in the next 3 - 4 months, but in the meantime any advice on any good reading that might help with the exams?

I see from google searches that the bible seems to be the Cosgrove Microlight pilots handbook

Most of the links im seeing recommending this are a few years old however, is this still a good book to get and read over?

Any other recommendations from people who have done there NPPL-M or currently doing it?

Thanks

Cal

[Hadley Rille]

Yes the Cosgrove 8th edition covers all you need but as some of the met can be difficult two other books were recommended to me.
"Pilot's Weather" by Brian Cosgrove and "Meteorology and Flight" by Tom Bradbury. Both are good as they offer different explanations and diagrams which may just 'click' better with you.
You'll also need sectional charts to study for the nav.

[callum_62]

Thanks - just ordered the 8th edition

Will look into Pilot's weather too

Cheers

Cal

[Hadley Rille]

You're starting at the right time as following the welcome change to the medical declaration the CAA has just announced a change to the solo hours validity time extending it from 9 to 24 months.
So you're unlikely to find yourself having to repeat solo hours due to weather etc causing delays to your training.
https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalap...detail&id=7555

[swopiv]

I would also recommend 'Air Law for Microlight Pilots' by Geoff Weighell, as some aspects of air law have changed since the last Cosgrove was published.

[Hadley Rille]

That's a good point for flying but the exams don't change very often so you can be caught out with out of date questions. Check with your instructor when you take your exam on what guidance the CAA give.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Given Geoff Weighell's background and day job, it's probably a safe working assumption that the latest version of his air Law book will match the exams.

As for the rest - absolutely. Brian Cosgrove's book is superb. But there have been some significant changes to air Law as it affects microlights since he wrote the last version of his book, not long before he died.

G

[callum_62]

Thanks everyone

Im waiting for my Cosgrove to arrive - hopefully today

Sounds like this will definitely need supplemented by a couple of air law books

Thanks for your advice

Im assuming (new back to the UK after 13 years in NZ) that winter proves a tricky time for practical

My plan would be to book in 10 lessons ASAP (maybe starting Jan/Feb next year) then probably a lesson or 2 per month after that

Im think i will have acquired the basic skills by 10 lessons so can maybe afford to stretch them out a bit more (thinking more of cost here)

I'll be fixed wing microlight too

Looking very much forward to it!

[Heston]

GtE said "Given Geoff Weighell's background and day job, it's probably a safe working assumption that the latest version of his air Law book will match the exams."

Actually no. There are some current Air Law exam papers for the microlight licence that contain questions that do not reflect current air law - they are out of date and haven't been replaced yet. The BMAA has done their bit to sort this out, but the CAA haven't yet issued new question papers.

In the meantime the instructions to microlight examiners are to mark as correct any questions where the candidate's answer is in accordance with current air law, whatever the answer given in the paperwork provided by the CAA. Not a satisfactory state of affairs.

[Heston]

CAllum - dont write off the UK winter for lessons - there can be some ideal weather, still and calm conditions with excellent visibility are ideal for first lessons.

Even in the summer you may lose 50% of bookings to weather cancelations of youre unlucky. It would be good policy to book once a week - that'll probably get you 2-3 lessons a month. You need to keep going at that rate or you will slip back between lessons and you'll end up taking much longer in terms of hours flown (and total cost).

[Downwind Lander]

... not forgetting the time honoured "Flight briefing for pilots" - various vols. I notice that Amazon has a paperback copy for a penny + p&p.