NPPL Medical
 

I've got my bi-annual Class 2 medical coming up later this week, and as a reasonably-fit 46 year old I have every expectation of passing the medical and ECG.

However, I got to thinking what I could do if I failed. Obviously it would depend on what part of the medical I failed, but how easy is it to transfer my licence/medical status to that of the NPPL?

My understanding is that the NPPL medical can be done by your GP and that the standards are that for an HGV driver.

I own my own plane, all my flying is VFR and within the UK. If my medical result went belly-up, what's to stop me continuing to fly under NPPL rules? Have I missed something?

Your understanding is correct - the NPPL declaration is signed off by your own GP.

For those who don't meet the HGV standards, there is the alternative of a less demanding standard which will allow you to fly but not to take passengers.

Given the type of flying you do (and assuming that you don't fly anything with more than four seats or heavier than 2,000Kg), you'd be completely unaffected by changing to an NPPL, except that you'd save money on your medicals!

You'd probably also save money on the cost of the licence - a NPPL is 'lifetime' whereas the JAR-FCL licence has to be re-issued every 5 years. For which there's a fee....

undertheweather

If you fail the NPPL medical you've still got the option of a FAA PPL with the FAA Class 3 medical. Talk to your AME - some do FAA medicals too, otherwise (if you fail) find one which does and talk to him.

With an FAA PPL you can fly a G-reg in the UK, and others here will say that you can do so worldwide. The NPPL is a bit of an irrelevance once you know about the FAA route. You just have to travel a little further afield to find a place where you can do it (UK).

FAA Medicals, writtens, flighttraining and tests can all be done on this side of the pond.

With the strength of the pound vs dollar though you could do worse than doing the training stateside.

FD

Do I need an ECG
 

Hi help quick please.....

I've done 2 lessons, my instructor seems encouraged, and said I should get my 'medical' as I can't 'go solo' without it.

He gave me the local doctor's name who does 'flying medicals'

It happens to be my own GP.

I rang the surgery, explained I was learning to fly and asked for an appointment for the medical (Thursday).

Today the doctor's receptionist rang and advised I 'had to have an ECG'.

I have managed to get an appointment at the local hospital tomorrow, but do I need one?

I am looking to get a PPL.

Any help out there?

Most GPs can do ECGs too.

Best way to find out if your GP/AME can do it for you, likely cheaper than doing it seperately, is by ringing his surgery

FD

Thanks for tip

Just rang and got the GP himself.

Apparently if I ask really nicely the hospital will put my results in an envelope there and then and I can give to my GP on Thursday.

Problem solved........back to Air Law & Meteorology

IO540

I believe that operating a G registered aircraft on an FAA licence after failing the medical for a UK licence may be contrary to article 26(3)(a) of the Air Navigation Order:

A person shall not be entitled to act as a member of the flight crew of an aircraft registered in the United Kingdom if he knows or suspects that his physical or mental condition renders him temporarily or permanently unfit to perform such functions or to act in such capacity.

I also recall discussing this issue with the CAA in the past. I believe that they take a very dim view of a person trying to avoid UK medical requirements by using a foreign licence/aircraft. If I recall correctly they would normally consider a direction under article 21 of the Order to invalidate the use of the licence in the UK.

Cathar,

I think that is not the correct interpretation of that article.

Anyone who holds an FAA license (or any licence for that matter) with a valid medical can exercise the privileges of that licence to its full extent under the rules of CAA legislation.

The rule you quote is there to ensure that people who have a medical which is still valid will not fly with an illness or condition which renders them unsafe.

Contrary to popular believe neither the NPPL medical nor the FAA medicals are a free for all.

FD

whitingiom (sorry for thread diversion, undertheweather!) - you only need an ECG for a Class 2 medical if you're over 40. If you're a mere stripling of a lad (unlike many of us old f@rts!), then an ECG is unnecessary. :)

HTH

CB - are you sure? I had to have an ECG with I had my initial Class-2 aged 27, I just don't have to have another until 40 (I think...)

I concour with the other posters who've mentioned the FAA medical route.

If I were to fail the CAA medical, but could pass the FAA medical, I would continue to fly using my FAA privileges, perfectly legally. And my FAA medical is valid for 3 years, my JAA C2 two years.

Its a bunch of rubbish really. In theory the CAA say you're not fit to fly becasue you fail a class 2 JAR medical, yet you can then go out, get your GP to sign you off and fly the very same aircraft on a NPPL. Something doesn't add up?
Not true, I had an ECG on my initial, aged 30ish, then not for the renewal, but I believe that this time (March) I need to have another ECG, at 34. I think it is every 5 years, but becasue the renewal is due this year, it'd mean getting an ECG half way through the renewal period, so I have elected to have it a year early.


EA

Edited becasue I've just checked my Medical cert:-

Sh*t you're right, class 2 PPL says "At initial then 40-49 2 yearly", same for peak flow. This has me wondering why the Doc has written on my certificate that ECG is due 04.03.04?????

I think one might have to have an ECG if below 40 if there are certain risk factors, e.g. death of a parent due to a heart attack. OTOH without knowing the exact requirements, it can be a case of the AME trying to make extra money :O (not entirely unheard of)

Evo / englishal / IO540 - sorry guys, I stand corrected! Just looked at JAR FCL3, which says for Class 2 Being an old-timer who first got a CAA Class 3 medical, I never had an ECG for my UK medical until my 40th. When I was a student PPL in Canada, I rang to make an appointment for my medical and was asked 'Do you need an ECG?' - I reversed the question and asked the nurse 'You're the guys who know the Canadian rules - you tell me!!!'

Apologies for spreading any misinformation - just blame it on premature Alzheimers!! :D

Jeez, I hope not, he never mentioned any "risk factors"!:eek:

Actually the Doc I normally use is a pretty good bloke, last medical he was so apologetic at the cost of the JAR renewal (£50) that he gave me the FAA Class 2 for free !

Does any of the FAA AMEs who read these forums know if an ECG is required for FAA Class 2 certificates? I believe it is only for the Class 1, but am willing to stand corrected :D

Cheers
EA

Needed for both class 1 and 2:

Part 67 confers:

para 67.111 (c)

An electrocardiogram will satisfy a requiement of paragraph (b) of this section.

HTH

FD

Thanks FD,

I'd better start doing some exercise then, to trim up the old heart :D

Interesting, last FAA Medical, at same time as JAR C2 renewal, I never had an ECG..

Cyer
EA

EA,

You're giving away your age now!

I should have said that the ECG is mandatory for initials over 35 and after the age of 40 for a renewal!

Sorry!

FD

Ah, excellent news, so I don't have to give up the booze and the occasional fag (as in the English sense, not in the American sense:D) just yet;)

Cheers