If you are a general aviation pilot, instructor, examiner or training organisation, there are some changes coming soon to UK pilot licensing that you need to know about. The fixed wing PPL, NPPL, LAPL licence and the associated flying ratings are all affected. There are also changes for sailplanes and balloons.

Download the Summary Changes Document Here

Changes relating to the Private Pilot License training course

Broad areas of change as follows:

• Reduction in total hours requirement from 45 hours to 40 hours.
• Individual ATO's can apply for specific approval to offer a 35 hour course (not available for DTO's).
• Partial power loss module added to course.
• Moving map module added to course.
• Much more lenient crediting for those with previous aeroplane experience. Hours in microlights can be credited towards course except the 10 hours PIC (solo) which must be done in a (nonmicrolight) aeroplane. Head of training still needs to assess previous experience.
• NPPL(A) can now be converted to PPL(A).
• If candidate already holds NPPL(A) microlight license there are a new set of four bridging exam papers to convert. Thus the student will not have to sit all nine exams.

References to new crediting regs:

FCL.210.A and associated AMC's (AMC1 FCL.210.A PPL(A) and AMC2
FCL.210.A PPL(A)(b)), and associated GM (GM1 FCL.210.A PPL(A)).

NPPL(A) to PPL(A) conversion TK exams:

Air law & ops, gen knowledge, Performance & planning & nav, Principles of flight. (FOUR PAPERS).

Partial Power Module

See AMC1 FCL.210 PPL(A) and GM1 FCL.210 PPL(A), Ex12, 13 & 16.
PPL Skill Test – partial power will now become a discretionary part of the
test under section 5(d).

Moving Map Module

OPTIONAL training for moving map devices (hand-held eg SkyDemon) in course and Skill Test (and probably biennial refresher training). Not mandated.

See: AMC1 FCL.210.PPL(A) see ex. 18 a/b/c, for the skill test see AMC 1 & 2 FCL.235 – section 3, items a, c, d and e.

GM2 FCL.210.PPL(A) – has a link to moving map safety sense leaflet.

Sub-Icao Licenses

• LAPL(A) wont be issued after 1st October. NPPL(A) will be only sub-icao license.
• Existing LAPL(A) will remain and not converted or cancelled. Within a year LAPL(A) will be revalidated as per PPL(A).
• Those already training towards LAPL(A) credited training towards NPPL(A),.
• SSEA, SLMG are becoming obsolete and replaced with SEP and TMG.
• For NPPL(A) revalidation of ONE rating will revalidate ALL ratings on license.
• Microlight exams valid for ALL NPPL(A) ratings. PPL(A) exams are an option for SEP trainees.

Revalidation of SEP / TMG / Microlight Class Ratings

• Revalidation by experience - at present 12 hours must be done in the last year of rating validity, however this will change to a minimum of 6 in the second year. But other requirements may be done at any time during validity period.
• Three axis microlight time can now be used, including for SEP refresher training flight.
• From October 2026 the LAPL(A) will move to fixed validity.

References: FCL.035, FCL.740.A, Schedule 8, Part 3 of ANO.

New AMC for the biennial refresher flight. See AMC1 FCL.740.A(b)(1)(ii) and GM2.FCL.740.A.

Miscellaneous changes

• Sailplane towing rating removed.
• IR(R) no longer used and being retired – replaced with IMC Rating.
• Aerobatic rating required for national licenses.
• No longer need 30 hours PIC to get aerobatic rating.
• Differences training updated for electric aircraft.

Non-Part 21 aircraft

• No longer need to be approved by CAA for use in an ATO or DTO towards Part-FCL training.
• Private owners can now use their own aircraft to gain Part-FCL licenses and ratings – only non-commercial.

This is purely my understanding of the changes – remember not an official source so always do your own research before acting on any of the changes.
Good luck!
Lee J Merritt - September 2025

This is an updated collection of the debrief points IR examiners have made over the past years and all of the points from previous collections that are still relevant have been included. They are listed under the Test Sections to which they have most relevance although many of them read across to a number of Sections. Compliance with all of these points will not guarantee success in the IR but will go a long way to helping produce a ‘practical, safe and expeditious passenger flight’. You are welcome to distribute this information to any instructor or potential IR applicant.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Over the past few years I’ve carried out an increasing number of CPL Skill Tests and PT3/4 tests. I’m
now at the point where I feel I can give some meaningful feedback that is designed to help test
applicants in the future, in the same way that I’ve been doing for IRT applicants over the past 20
years.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Steve Oddy