JUSTIN WASTNAGE / BEACONSFIELD, UK
Stringent European regulations and fewer pilots force CAA to create new licence
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has finalised details of a new sport pilot licence, expected to be available by the middle of the year. Technical specifications for the new National Private Pilot's Licence (NPPL) have been completed and will be submitted this week to the UK's transport ministry for government approval.
The need for an NPPL was recognised after the number of UK private pilot's licences fell by one-fifth after the adoption of European Joint Aviation Requirements for Flight Crew Licensing (JAR-FCL). The Flight Training Policy Group, an alliance of three UK trade bodies, views the JAR-FCL as overly complex and its medical requirements too stringent for recreational flyers (Flight International, 19 December, 2000 - 1 January, 2001).
The NPPL will cover all single-engined piston fixed-wing aircraft with fewer than four seats and a maximum take-off weight no greater than 2,000kg (4,400lb). The licence will also absorb the current self-launching motor glider and microlight licences and will be administered by representatives from the general aviation industry, under the probable name of the Air Sports Licensing Group, which will pay the CAA for annual audits and the administration associated with the processing of each licence. Ron Elder, head of the CAA's personnel licensing department, says that this scheme could lead to further industry self-regulation.
Although the licence restricts pilots to UK airspace in daytime visual flight rules, other European Civil Aviation Conference countries could harmonise their own sport pilot licences. France has already amended its regulations to recognise recreational licences.
The NPPL will have a minimum flying training time requirement of 32h. The UK's General Aviation Manufacturers and Traders' Association estimates that it could be up to one-third cheaper than the current PPL. The USA is also forging ahead with its own differently structured sport pilot licence (Flight International, 12-18 February).
Source: Flight International
