Cross crediting experience: Holder of ATC Instructor’s Qualification to NPPL(A) (SSEA)

Question

I formerly held an ATC Instructor’s Qualification valid for the Vigilant Motor Glider through the RAF Volunteer Gliding Squadron System. I was a B1 Instructor until 2014 with 440 hours.

I would now like to obtain a UK civilian license for microlights, which I understand is still an NPPL(A) (SSEA), so I'm trying to understand what, if any, training dispensation I can use.

CAP804 (April 2015) section 2.1.6.2 states:

The holder of the ATC Instructor’s Qualification valid for the Vigilant Motor Glider who wishes to obtain an NPPL(A) with SSEA Class Rating shall:

a) produce log book evidence of having satisfactorily completed flying training on single-engine piston aeroplanes under the supervision of a FI(A), which must include:

• i) not less than 1 hour dual instruction in stall/spin awareness and avoidance;
• ii) not less than 1 hour dual instrument appreciation;
• iii) not less than 1 hour supervised solo flight; iv) not less than 4 hours navigation training or successful completion of the ‘Air Cadet Vigilant Transit Qualification’ training syllabus, including at least one solo cross-country navigation exercise;

b) pass the Part-FCL PPL(A) theoretical examinations; c) hold a valid NPPL Medical Declaration or Part-MED Class 1, 2 or LAPL medical certificate; d) pass the NPPL(A) NST and GST in an SSEA

However, CAP804 is now marked as "Reference Only" and I cannot find a document which has superceded it. At the advice of my instructor I have written to the BMAA for their advice, but received no response.

Can anyone tell me what the official requirements are today, please, or does it remain undefined since Brexit?

Answer 1

The British Microlight Association kindly wrote back to me, I don't think I'm betraying any confidentiality in sharing their response here:

On Wed, 14 Jun 2023 at 13:24, Pilot Licensing [email protected] wrote: Hello Daniel,

I’m afraid you are confused. You cannot fly a Microlight on a SSEA class rating, you would require a NPPL with Microlight (M) class rating.

Have a read of section 4 of the attached and apply your qualifications. Cap 804 has not been superseded so remains the document we apply credit from.

Kind regards,

Aaron Bliss BMAA Pilot Licensing, Instruction and Examinations

I've since checked and yes, to fly the Ikarus C42 I should aim for NPPL(M) not NPPL(SSEA).

The document he had attached was CAP 804 Part II (May 2012), referring to section four "CROSS-CREDITING LICENCES AND RATINGS TO NPPL (MICROLIGHT)" subsection 4.1.6:

ATC Instructor’s Qualification to NPPL(A) (Microlight) The holder of the ATC Instructor’s qualification wishing to obtain an NPPL(A) with Microlight Class Rating shall: a) produce log book evidence of having satisfactorily completed not less than 15 hours conversion training on Microlight aircraft under the supervision of a Microlight FI, which must include: i) not less than 6 hours supervised solo flight; ii) not less than 5 hours navigation training, to include not less than 3 hours solo navigation including one qualifying cross-country flight as defined in the NPPL(A) (Microlight) syllabus; b) pass the Microlight theoretical knowledge examinations; c) pass the Microlight Aeroplanes Type (Part 2) oral examination conducted by a Microlight flight examiner. The examination shall include pilot maintenance requirements and conditions of the Permit to Fly; d) hold a valid NPPL Medical Declaration or Part-MED Class 1, 2 or LAPL medical certificate; e) pass the NPPL(A) GST on a Microlight