The end of the roll of red tape?

The CAA, or Civil Aviation Authority, is not an organisation known for it’s pragmatism and flexibility. In fact, in years past I’m sure they would have been on Amazon this weekend, taking advantage of the Black Friday sales to advance purchase a years supply of red tape!

It’s no coincidence in many quarters it’s referred to as the Campaign Against Aviation…

But, are things changing?

Recently the CAA carried out a review of the way the UK administers pilot licensing with the aim of “licence simplification”.

Simplification? Fantastic! Lets dig a bit deeper and see what that means? As an NPPL holder with an FI rating I’m keen to understand what doors this will open up for both me and my students in the future.

The review was conducted through 2024 with input via consultation with the pilot community. There are many changes proposed, and of course these will require legislation to be passed by the UK government, which will occur over the next couple of years but in summary:

• Three-axis microlight hours will now be recognised as valid credit towards a full PPL(A)
• The LAPL licence will be removed
• The NPPL licence SSEA rating will be renamed SEP (in line with the full PPL)
• The NPPL licence will remain
• There will be a route from NPPL to full PPL(A)
• There will be additional ratings available on the NPPL including an IMC rating
• The revalidation system will be simplified and standardised, likely along the lines of the 12 hours in 24 months system
• NPPL instructors will retain instructor privileges
• NPPL licence holders will still be able to fly on a Pilot Medical Declaration

What does all this mean?

Well, for a start, with tuition fees in a three-axis microlight roughly half that of a Cessna 152, these changes are an opportunity for people to have a less expensive route to either gaining a licence to fly more complex types. They also mean that microlighting can now become the foot of the ladder for people who want to go on to earn a commercial licence and perhaps fly big jets for a living later in life.

What this should also mean is that we get more people into our sport, including more young people who are considering a career in aviation.

And that can’t be a bad thing.

The responses and details of the consultation can be found at https://www.caa.co.uk/general-aviation/pilot-licences/licensing-training-simplification/ and I should also give a big shout out to the BMAA here who have been instrumental in representing microlight pilots, and our views, to the CAA on these changes.