NPPL to PPL(A) Bridging Courses

First though, a quick word about the naming of licences in this area. The aviation community generally considers a microlight licence as being known as a NPPL(M). Actually, there is no such thing - instead, the licence is actually a NPPL(A) with Microlight Class Rating. the same thing applies for Powered Parachutes. Additionally, you may be the holder of a NPPL with an SSEA (Simple Single Seat Aircraft) rating (which incidentally is now a NPPL(A) with an SEP (Single engine Piston Rating).

If you already hold a UK National Private Pilots Licence [NPPL], then the theoretical knowledge exams you may have taken to gain that licence may have been specific to the NPPL (for example you may have only taken the exams required for a Microlight Class Rating on your NPPL licence). If you now wish to upgrade your NPPL to a PART-FCL PPL(A), you will need to undertake some theoretical knowledge "differences" training in order to meet the requirements of the PPL(A) licence.

The CAA have already made available a set of exams on the E-exam system to allow an existing NPPL licence holder to achieve the required theoretical knowledge standard as part of the upgrade process to PART-FCL PPL(A). You will, of course, need to have your knowledge enhanced before you undertake those exams.

There are FIVE official exams you will need to take as follows:

• NPPL to PPL 090 Communications (Aeroplane) [NPPL090]
• NPPL to PPL 081 Principles of Flight (Aeroplane) [NPPL081]
• NPPL to PPL 030 Flight Performance & Planning and 060 Navigation (Aeroplane) [NPPL3060]
• NPPL to PPL 020 Aircraft General Knowledge (Aeroplane) [NPPL020]
• NPPL to PPL 010 Air Law & 070 Operational Procedures (Aeroplane) [NPPL1070]

Here at Easy PPL, we're the very first training organisation to offer the specific NPPL to PPL(A) bridging courses that meet the syllabus defined by the CAA.

Note that you will need to complete all bridging exams within an 18 month period (that commences on your first attempt at one of the bridging exams). The application to the CAA for the PART-FCL PPL(A) licence (post flight training and skills test [LST]) must take place within 24 months of the last bridging exam passed.