The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) proposed a streamlined licensing system for General Aviation Pilots on its website. The consultation lasted from March 13 to May 22, 2024. In September 2024, the UK CAA published the results and next steps from the 10-week-long public consultation, including proposed pilot licensing changes. The consultation received an impressive response, with 1,411 submissions, many of which strongly supported the recommended modifications.
CAA Consultation About PPL
- Lowering Minimum Flight Time: To get a Private Pilot License (PPL(A)), they will reduce the minimum flight hours from 45 to 40 hours, considering past microlight aircraft flying experiences.
- Faster Retraining Program: Approved training companies supply a streamlined 35-hour PPL training program to accelerate the acquisition of a commercial pilot license.
- Unified Sub-ICAO PPL Licence: The combination of the most effective parts of the Light Aircraft Pilot License (LAPL) and the National Private Pilot Licence (NPPL)-sub-ICAO.
- Reduction in Theoretical Examinations: The number of questions will remain the same. However, there will be seven theoretical knowledge tests instead of nine. They will standardize flight experience conditions to revalidate SEP, TMG, and microlight class ratings.
Further measures
The CAA is improving Guidance Material (GM), Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC), and other publications. These changes respond to the consultation. They plan to hold more consultations with AMCs and GM in late 2024 or early 2025. The third stage will require collaboration with the Department of Transport to implement the consultation conclusions. The government will introduce new legislation in the form of statutory instruments by 2025. Other certifications and ratings, such as instrument ratings, sailplanes, and aerobatic licenses, will require further modifications.
