EASA SPL to EASA PPL(A)
 

I currently hold a BGA glider pilot's certificate with full Silver and my XC endorsement with around 230 hours under my belt. I now want to start to do some powered flying but i'm stuck for what route to go down.

My initial thought would be to convert my BGA licences to a part-FCL licence. I hold an EASA Class 1 medical so I meet all the requirements for the SPL. I cant seem to find a definitive answer to what training I would need to do to get my bottom in a SSEA.

The CAA website says under the section titled 'PPL (A) crediting if you hold another type of licence' "If you hold a pilot’s licence for another type of aircraft, except balloons, you will be credited with 10% of your total flight time as PIC up to a maximum of 10 hours. You will still need to complete 10 hours of supervised solo flight time, including at least 5 hours of solo cross country flight time with at least 1 cross country flight of at least 270 km (150 NM) that includes 2 full stop landings at an aerodrome different from the departure aerodrome as the credited flight time cannot be counted towards this requirement."

However this does not mention anything about the Theoretical knowledge or R/T requirements. Or is it implied that I already have these competencies because I have my SPL, and its simply a case of doing the hours?

My aim is to get my PPL(A) or (equivalent rating on my SPL) with minimal cost.

My other conundrum is that I did some fixed wing microlight training in 2012, I completed most of the lessons but ran out of cash and time before my solo. I would ideally like to pick this back up but the school i did it with (Mainair Flying School based at Barton) but i'm unsure as to if the school is an EASA ATO. This would mean doing an NPPL and then converting all my licences before next year.

To throw another factor in; I'd like to do my training at Barton as work is less than five mins away.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

BVB,
cheapest (not simplest)
1. Get a BGA Glider Pilot's Licence
2. BGA GPL > NPPL SLMG (well trodden route; anticipate about 20 hrs flying)
3. NPPL SLMG > NPPL SSEA (differences training only, no test)
alternative: BGA GPL > NPPL SSEA (those 20 hrs would need to be in an SSEA)
4. NPPL SSEA > LAPL(A) SEP (paperwork (+££) exercise)
5. LAPL(A) SEP > PPL(A) SEP (Details in CAP 804. Use Google to find FCL.210.A; this is the first stage that you'll need an Approved Training Organisation; anticipate 15 hrs minimum)

Principle details are in CAP804 Section 5 Part A Appendix 1.
Best advice is from the BGA.

Thanks 460

I had an NPPL SLMG and went down this route from point number 3:

3. NPPL SLMG > EASA PPL(A) TMG (direct as per CAP804)
4. circa 4 to 5 hours SEP differences training at ATO and skills test
5. Send paperwork to CAA and have rating added to EASA PPL(A)

I will dispute the 4 or 5 hours to train for an SEP class rating from TMG. My advise would be to go to an ATO that understands TMG and NPPL SLMG training.

As a HoT, I would be very surprised to see a successful test without more training. In fact, to complete in this time would be non compliant with our approved training manual (not so if converting SLMG to SSEA).

I notice that you say you have a Class 1 medical. Does this mean you want to end up with a CPL? If this is the case you will still need time in an SEP as TMG/SLMG hours don't count for CPL licence issue which has caught people out before.

GPL - NPPL (SSEA) + all 9 theory exams. Took me 22 hrs all in
NPPL - EASA LAPL. Paper exercise
EASA LAPL - EASA PPL Min 10 hours to include 4 hours dual instruction + 150nm Xcountry.
If you get up to 10 hrs dispensation as a GPL, why not go straight for the EASA PPL?

Thanks for the advice.

I think the best option looks to be the NPPL SSEA and then converting all my licences over to EASA.

That's the plan Broadlands. Hence why i would rather go straight to SSEA

BVB