§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the Air Navigation Order to give effect to a national private pilot's licence; when he hopes to amend the ANO; and if he will permit flying hours undertaken by student pilots from 1 May to count towards the issue of an NPPL. [157962]
Mr. Robert AinsworthThe Civil Aviation Authority advises that detailed negotiations with industry representatives over proposals for a national private pilots licence are moving towards a satisfactory conclusion. Once agreement has been reached, there will follow the normal period of consultation and, subject to general agreement on the proposals, it is hoped to amend the ANO in order to give effect to a NPPL from the beginning of next year.
As regards previously accumulated flying hours, the NPPL is envisaged as being a "stand alone" licence, with no read across or equivalence to the Joint Aviation Requirements—Private Pilot's Licence. It will, in effect, exist in isolation of other ICAO compliant licences. Therefore, training to the NPPL syllabus will not be permitted prior to its coming into effect, and no credit will be granted for flying hours acquired under other training syllabuses.