SSEA/Permit to fly

[Glider Steve]

Hi All

i am just finishing my NPPL (M) licence here in the UK and following this I would like to explore the possibility of adding a rating to allow me to fly a 4 seat aircraft at some point.
Can anyone help me get my head around the SSEA rating? Specifically which 4 seat aircraft could I fly with a SSEA rating? I think some Pipers but not all? Perhaps a VANS?

it’s all very confusing!

i have no intention of gaining a LAPL, if I can’t fly a 4 seater I’ll just stick with the NPPL.

many thanks, in hope!

[MrAverage]

If I recall correctly you may only be allowed to fly non EASA aircraft, so not Pipers or pretty much anything American. Someone who knows for sure will be along shortly to confirm or otherwise advise. If I'm right let's hope it changes next year!

[charliegolf]

I haven't flown for a while, but my NPPL was for microlights initially, and I simply did differences training* for SSEA after which I flew Cessna 150 and 172.

* Possibly phrased as, 'sufficient instruction as is deemed necessary by the instructor'. Or similar. No test, as I recall.

CG

[ak7274]

NPPL(M) to NPPL(SSEA) requires training at a DTO followed by an NST and a GST. Not differences training. It HAS to be added to your licence and not a log book signature as most differences training requires.

[MrAverage]

What ak said is absolutely correct charliegolf. I had to do this training and testing for one of our members a few years back, including a rating application with paperwork. Without a valid SSEA rating in your licence or on a Certificate, flying such aircraft would be illegal.

[charliegolf]

I did say it was a good while ago. And I certainly did get both ratings- the memory fades. Once done though, the OP certainly can fly 'American' aircraft.

CG

[TheOddOne]

From April 2018, the only aircraft you can fly with an NPPL SSEA are non-EASA types, so that excludes 4-seater Piper and Cessna aircraft, for instance. It MIGHT be possible that once we leave EASA on 1/1/2021 the CAA will grant permission to fly these types on an NPPL SSEA, but on the other hand, they might all be grounded as they might lose their Certificates of Airworthiness...

TOO

[Glider Steve]

Many thanks. Yes I think this is correct. I was always happy to do some differences training and another GST etc but I don’t think cessnas or pipers will be an option until the CAA sort themselves out post Brexit. Remind me what Brexit was good for!? Ah yes, absolutely nothing!