Discussion
In addition to considering going for my NPPL(M) licence I’m also looking at the costs involved in obtaining an NPPL licence with a view to perhaps buying a share in a small two seater ‘spamcan’ such as a Piper Tomahawk or a Cessna 150 / 152. Based on some research on the web it looks like the cost will be around £5k at a minimum for 32 hours flying, although I do appreciate that very few students achieve their licence in the minimum number of hours. Realistically £6 - £6.5K is probably nearer the mark.
Once I qualify I would hope to buy a share in a 2 seat aircraft for no more than £4K and keep the month costs down to around £60-70 and £40-45 / hour wet. This would hopefully mean that I can fly twice a month for around £150 - £160 a month.
What are your thoughts?
All the best.
Martin.
Once I qualify I would hope to buy a share in a 2 seat aircraft for no more than £4K and keep the month costs down to around £60-70 and £40-45 / hour wet. This would hopefully mean that I can fly twice a month for around £150 - £160 a month.
What are your thoughts?
All the best.
Martin.
The NPPL is only really useful if you have a medical reason that disqualifies you from holding a class 2 medical.
The training is a little different, but not in any meaningful way and you haven't really got a hope of completing it in 32hrs. Well, you might do it, but I wouldn't ever say that someone with that few hours is anything other than a liability in reality!
However, an NPPL(M)won't allow you to fly spamcans like Cessnas as it is a microlight training course of 25 hours for an unrestricted licence. You will need an NPPL(SSEA) licence.
The training is a little different, but not in any meaningful way and you haven't really got a hope of completing it in 32hrs. Well, you might do it, but I wouldn't ever say that someone with that few hours is anything other than a liability in reality!
However, an NPPL(M)won't allow you to fly spamcans like Cessnas as it is a microlight training course of 25 hours for an unrestricted licence. You will need an NPPL(SSEA) licence.
I suspect that if you have an NPPL(M) then you may well get some training offset against an NPPL(SSEA) - Google LASORS (no, not the frickin' things on frickin' sharks' heads).
I'd argue that whilst a cheap looking share in a Traumahawk or a 150 might look cheap, it is cheap for a reason - because the cash-calls in any group can come up and bite you at any time, and anything on a CofA which involves mandatory involvement of a licensed maintenance organisation will cost you an arm, a leg, a kidney, your liver and an option on your first-born child.
Consider something on the LAA register, which will do any of the UK VFR stuff your Traumahawk/150 can do - probably better, and certainly a lot cheaper. If you decide that you *really* want to indulge in international all-weather IFR touring, you want some seriously capable kit, a JAR PPL; at the very least an IMC, and in reality an IR....neither of which are an option for an NPPL.
I'd argue that whilst a cheap looking share in a Traumahawk or a 150 might look cheap, it is cheap for a reason - because the cash-calls in any group can come up and bite you at any time, and anything on a CofA which involves mandatory involvement of a licensed maintenance organisation will cost you an arm, a leg, a kidney, your liver and an option on your first-born child.
Consider something on the LAA register, which will do any of the UK VFR stuff your Traumahawk/150 can do - probably better, and certainly a lot cheaper. If you decide that you *really* want to indulge in international all-weather IFR touring, you want some seriously capable kit, a JAR PPL; at the very least an IMC, and in reality an IR....neither of which are an option for an NPPL.
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