NPPL - National Private Pilot's Licence (SEP)

 

The National Private Pilot's Licence is a recreational licence that can be used to fly in UK territorial airspace only. You can fly a simple single engine aeroplane up to 2000kgs and with no more than four seats. The syllabus is slightly shorter than for the JAR equivalent and the medical requirements are considerably less.

An applicant for a NPPL (SEP) shall have completed at least 32 hours flight time as pilot of aeroplanes (excluding Navigational Skills Test and General Skills Test). NPPL (SEP) training can be completed at RAF Halton.

Training includes the following;

• 22 hours dual instruction (to include 1 hour instrument appreciation);
• 10 hours solo flight (to include 4 hours solo cross-country flight time and one cross-country flight in the course of which full stop landings at two aerodromes other than aerodrome of departure shall be made;
• Navigational Skills Test (NST) (minimum of 1 hour duration and to be taken prior to undertaking the qualifying solo cross-country flight);
• General Skills Test (GST) (minimum of 1 hour duration).

The theoretical knowledge requirements are the same as for the JAR-FCL PPL (Aeroplanes). There are seven written examinations and one oral examination. These are as follows;

• Air Law.
• Meteorology.
• Navigation & Radio Aids.
• Aircraft (General) & Principles of Flight.
• Flight Performance & Planning.
• Human Performance & Limitations.
• JAR-FCL Communications (PPL).

There will also be one oral exam in Communications.

An applicant may not take the General Skills Test until all associated flying training has been completed and the associated theoretical knowledge examinations have been passed.

The General Skills Test shall be taken within 6 months of the completion of training and all sections of the test must be completed within 6 months of the first attempt. If the applicant does not pass all sections of the skill test at the first attempt, the section(s) that have been failed may be attempted in a further test(s).

There is no limit to the number of tests that may be taken.

Medical

Medical requirements for the NPPL are less onerous then for a PPL. There are a choice of two different medicals based on the DVLA medical standards of fitness to drive:-

DVLA Group 2 medical for professional drivers will allow instruction and unrestricted flying with passengers within the privileges of the NPPL. A copy of this certificate will be sent to the pilot's aviation or air sports organisation, and will be valid as for a DVLA Group 2 licence:

• From initial issue to age 45 years
• Five yearly from 45 to 65 years
• Annually from 65 years

Note: If a pilot has a particular medical condition that needs to be monitored then medical assessments may be required more frequently

DVLA Group 1 medical for private drivers will allow a pilot to fly solo or with another pilot qualified on type in an aircraft fitted with dual controls. The validity periods will be the same as the DVLA Group 1 medical

To obtain a NPPL medical certificate applicants must sign a declaration that they believe they are in good health and fit to fly as a pilot. This declaration is then countersigned by the applicant's General Practitioner (GP) who declares that he/she has no reason to believe that the applicant does not reach DVLA Group 2 medical standards (see note)

Note: The GP may choose to do any tests if he/she believes it to be beneficial prior to countersigning the applicants declaration eg. blood pressure, eyesight, etc

Pilots who do not meet DVLA Group 2 standards may be assessed to the Group 1 standard. However some medical conditions which may be acceptable in private drivers may be unacceptable in pilots eg. hypoxia or 'g' forces. Information sheets on specific medical conditions will be available from relevant aviation or air sport organisations and the CAA. It will be the responsibility of the applicant to obtain this information and present it to the GP when attending for medical certification

The medicals outlined above will allow a pilot to fly by day in VMC. CAA medical advice cautions that this is not suitable screening for night flying or concentrated instrument flying