LAA Chairman, Roger Hopkinson writing in the January edition of the LAA magazine 'Light Aviation'.

 

NPPL/SSEA – Can I fly in France or elsewhere? We are close to achieving a solution.

Of all the questions I get as Chairman of LAA this ranks high – something needed to be done despite the apparent legalities constraining us. So read on:

 

Since the National Private Pilots Licence, Single Engine Piston NPPL/SEP (now known as the SSEA – simple, single engine aircraft) came into being, holders have sought to use the licence in Europe and particularly in France. Early in its life, the licence was accepted by derogation in the Isle of Man and more recently in the Channel Islands based on a similar derogation.

 

LAA were involved in the final wording of that derogation. However, despite a number of individual applications, other states, with the exception of Switzerland (by request in class G airspace), have not been prepared to accept what is after all a unique National Licence designed for UK use.

 

With EASA taking competency for licensing, considerable background work ensured that the ‘Leisure Pilots Licence’ (LPL) now, we understand, to be called the ‘Light Aircraft Pilots Licence’ (LAPL) was woven into the Basic Regulation 216/2008 for implementation in 2012. The proposal included a medical certificate issued by a medical practitioner, with the overall proposal being strongly supported by the LAA, the CAA and other Sports and Recreational Aviation Associations.

 

In essence it is a European licence based on the existing and successful UK NPPL. The hope was that the NPPL would be grandfathered into the LAPL and UK holders would be free to roam Europe.

 

We wait for 2012 and, amongst other matters, fight a rear guard action from the medical profession, primarily in mainland Europe, determined not to lose income from aero medical examinations. In addition, there are delays in implementation, well reported elsewhere. Turning a Basic Regulation into reality is a story in itself.

 

Meanwhile the question is: Can any progress be made with the NPPL/SSEA, especially as the Microlight (sub 450Kg) NPPL pilots have such a privilege in France and have done so for a long time? Though that is based on the fact that the French Microlight licence is sub the UK NPPL(M) training requirements, so our NPPL(M) is a higher standard and acceptable. Not the case for NPPL/SSEA.

 

During the RSA Rally in Vichy in 2009, I had the opportunity to discuss this issue with Patrick Gandil Directeur Générale de l’Aviation Civile – he who is in charge of all things French that fly. He is also a private pilot himself and hugely supports sports and recreational flying. He invited me to write to him to progress this. To cut a long story short, even if an EU state wanted to allow use of an NPPL in their country, they have legal constraints due to the existence of the EU Basic Regulation 216/2008 restricting changes whilst the Basic Regulation is being implemented. They simply can’t do it! That incidentally was not the case in the Channel Islands (or Switzerland). So we needed a different route.

 

A practical solution …… pending whatever finally emerges from EASA. Vive l'entente cordiale! I have to say that discussions with both the UK CAA and DGAC in France were both amicable and extremely constructive. Indeed the solution was not found without their help and support. As a result, we developed a way forward which is to elevate the NPPL/SSEA to be ICAO compliant. To be precise that is NOT creating an ICAO licence – but simply identifying what additional experience above the basic requirements for an NPPL means it has achieved ICAO standard. This could be accepted by France and the formula, by agreement, hopefully extended to other states.

 

To elevate the NPPL/SSEA to ICAO status requires:-

A valid medical certificate that complies with the standards of Annex 1 to the International Convention on Civil Aviation, and that their flying log book shows:

 

  • that they have flown in excess of 40 hours total, including at least 10 hours solo, of which at least 5 hours was flying cross-country, and

  • that they have carried out at least one cross-country solo flight of 150 miles or more with full stop landings at two different aerodromes.

The additional flying experience, probably already achieved by most NPPL holders, is easily achieved. This can be simply signed off by a suitable person. The ICAO medical is a sub JAR medical (as required for a UK licence) and would need to be obtained in France or other states where ICAO is the medical standard. Licence holders will need to make the necessary arrangements. This is a process many glider pilots will be familiar with. Generally, we understand this will meet the medical standards of most NPPL licence holders and is at lower cost that the UK JAR medical (which would also qualify the licence but may not suit many licence holders). CAA have confirmed that if an NPPL holder has a valid ICAO medical this is acceptable in lieu of the NPPL self declaration.

 

So, it’s not simply the “you can now fly in France on a NPPL” many would have liked. Legal factors do not allow that. This is though a practical solution pending whatever finally emerges on the LAPL and which might be accepted across other EU States (it has to be on a state by state basis) and elsewhere.

 

At the time of writing we have confirmation from French DGCA that says: “ ……confident that your proposal , coordinated and supported by the CAA-UK, will satisfy DGAC” That looks good!

 

We are awaiting finalisation of all this and will advise as soon as we can.

Get ready for the summer!

Roger Hopkinson

Chairman, LAA

 

 

CEO LAA and NPLG accountable manager, Peter Harvey adds:

As you can see, this is still ‘work in progress’ but at an advanced stage. It’s a great example of what can be achieved with a diplomatic, collaborative approach. It’s our experience that the majority of the professionals we meet at EASA and the NAAs are supportive of GA and would do more if the legal framework permitted. Roger, Nick Wilcock and Jon Cooke are still working on this - as ever, it's a team thing.

 

More information will be published in the new year when the details and loose ends have been sorted. In the meantime, please do not contact NPLG, or the LAA office on this subject until the final version is published by NPLG.

Peter Harvey
CEO, LAA