LATEST NEWS - Updated 9th November 2016
New Pilot Medical Declaration
Jon Cooke, LAA's Head of Training, has written a very informative article on the new medical changes and requirements. His article can be found here.
CAA information and the new Pilot Medical Declaration form can be found here.
1st March 2017
Current Fees
| Grant of a NPPL | £102.00 |
| Additional Rating to NPPL | £ 54.50 |
| Additional Rating to PPL | £ 54.50 |
| Removal of Op Limitations | £ 11.00 |
CAA fees remain the same at present.
Part-FCL licensing and EASA
EASA deadline postponed
The full requirement to hold an EASA licence when operating as pilot-in-command of EASA aircraft will be postponed along with a number of other significant changes for UK licence holders and the pilot training industry. EASA Aircrew Regulation will require all pilots operating EASA aircraft to hold an EASA Part-FCL licence; the postponement applies to LAPL privileges - VFR only, private, up to 2000kg, with no more than 4 persons onboard, and no instructor privileges. Implementation of the full requirement to hold an EASA licence will now be deferred to at least April 2018 following a decision made on 09th October 2014 by the European regulator.
After representations from many in the general aviation community, including the Light Aircraft Association, the CAA has worked with EASA to extend the transition deadline. This will allow time to develop and adopt a more proportionate ruleset for existing Registered Facilities which will assist in encouraging General Aviation across Europe to thrive.
The amendment will have the following effect:
NPPL holders: Deferment of the full EASA requirement to hold an EASA licence to act as pilot in command of EASA aircraft. This means that a UK national licence holder, including UK PPL and NPPL holders, may continue to fly EASA aircraft until at least April 2018. This currently limits use of UK national licences to the privileges of a LAPL holder - VFR only, private, up to 2000kg, with no more than 4 persons onboard, and no instructor privileges - thereby having no effect on the privileges of a NPPL holder;
NPPL training: Pilots currently training towards a NPPL may continue to do. It will be possible to convert an NPPL issued prior to 08th April 2018 to a Part-FCL licence;
RTF to ATO transition: Deferment of Approved Training Organisation requirements for LAPL, PPL, SPL and BPL to 2018. Registered Facilities which already teach for the PPL can now teach for the LAPL in the same category;
Revalidation Examiners: Following a change to regulations in 2012 which prevented existing Revalidation Examiners from signing EASA licences, the LAA has worked with the CAA to develop a route which would provide these privileges to LAA coaches. As the largest user of Revalidation Examiner privileges within the United Kingdom, the LAA Pilot Coaching Scheme is pleased to announce that the recent decision includes EASA Revalidation Examiner privileges being issued. LAA coaches will soon be permitted to sign EASA licences for the purpose of Class Rating Revalidation. As a consequence, other current EASA CRIs or FIs will also be able to apply to the CAA for EASA Revalidation Examiner privileges.
These changes are the result of significant effort by GA to effect change. Representatives from the Light Aircraft Association have been working with the UK CAA and other associations to achieve a more proportionate approach to regulation of General Aviation within Europe. The date of effect for the Aircrew Regulation amendment will be 8 Apr 2015; however, it is possible that the UK CAA might be able to introduce some of the policy changes earlier through exemptions. A number of other changes are also included in this decision which is due to be published by the CAA as an Information Notice shortly.
In pursuit of providing economical flying without undue regulation or restriction for you, the Light Aircraft Association will continue to work closely with the UK CAA and EASA to develop and deliver "Simpler, Lighter, and Better rules for General Aviation”. More information on what you need to know about pilot licensing and training, plus current regulatory issues, is available on the Light Aircraft Association and National Private Pilots Licence website.
Jon Cooke
Pilot Coaching Scheme Chairman
Light Aircraft Association