National Private Pilot Licence (NPPL)

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) National Private Pilot Licence (NPPL) is a good way to learn if you want to carry your friends and family on good weather flights within the UK. If would like to add additional ratings to your licence or continue into commercial aviation then you may wish to consider the Private Pilots Licence (PPL) instead. Requiring more training, it is slightly more expensive to obtain and requires a more stringent medical but you can add ratings to include flying in more demanding weather and aerobatics. Read this page to see the comparisons and choose the right training for you.

National Private Pilot Licence (NPPL)

The NPPL course offers you the training and experience you need to obtain a pilots licence. At The Leicestershire Aero Club, all of our training is approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and combines both practical flight training and the theoretical knowledge required to fly light aeroplanes within the UK.

NPPL training requires a minimum of 32 hours flying time including 10 hours solo, ending with a skills test with an examiner where you will need to prove your general handling and navigation skills.

Training is typically done in a Cessna 152, a small 2 seater training aircraft. You will have the option to upgrade to train in a larger 4 seat aircraft if you prefer.

32 hours is the CAA minimum hour requirement but you should be aware that more training time may be required to achieve test standard. This is determined by your own abilities.

Our experienced instructors will support you throughout your training. Typically you will be booked training sessions in 2 hours blocks, for which you will fly for 60 to 90 minutes. You only pay for the time spent in the aircraft, your pre and post-flight briefings with your instructor are free. You can fly as often as you like but we recommend that you should aim to fly at least once a week as regular flying experience plays an important role in the training.

Pricing

The full course cost for the NPPL is ‘pay as you go’ but equates to £7,672.50 at current prices.

This includes 32 hours flying, 9 ground exam fees, 12 months membership to the club and all basic equipment required to complete the course including:

• All training manuals for the LAPL syllabus and the 9 written exams
• Aircraft Checklist
• Pilots Logbook
• Current navigational chart
• Chart Ruler
• CRP1 Flight Computer
• A pack of chart pens
• Protractor

Prices quoted do not include additional flying hours or exam resits if required. Landing fees at visited airfields are payable by the student.

Practical examinations are not covered in the above price:

• Communications (RT Licence): A simulation of a flight to cover radio calls for everyday and emergency procedures (£185).
• Skills test: A flight test covering all skills gained during training, including navigation and general handling of the aircraft (£230 plus aircraft hire for time flown at solo rate).

A UK Pilot Medical Declaration (PMD) is required for the licence, however it is Club policy to have a Class 2 medical before flying Club aircraft solo, which can be obtained from a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorised aero-medical examiner. Most medicals are straightforward and anyone of average health should pass the medical without any difficulties. Costs vary but expect to pay around £170. A list of local medical examiners will be provided by your instructor.

Further Training

The National Private Pilots Licence allows you to fly an aircraft during daylight hours in reasonably good weather within the limits of Visual Flight Rules (VFR). To allow you to fly in more challenging conditions, the licence can be upgraded, so you might want to then consider:

• Night Rating