Mikebbb wrote:I've just re-read your responses - so a self-declared medical with a LAPL means I can only fly in the UK? Even now while we are in the EU and EASA? Is that so - I didn't realise that.
Exactly.
Yes, at first, it is confusing but the logic becomes clearer over time even if it remains complicated!
And, as we have said, if all you want to do is “self-declare”, you can do this on your existing PPL under the temporary exemption which exists until April 2020.
No need to change your license for the LAPL just to “self-declare”.
Medicals relate entirely to a pilot’s fitness to fly whereas pilot licenses and ratings relate to both any given aircraft type and pilot qualifications.
Note also that the NPPL is a U.K. only license whatever your pilot medical status. The clue is in the title.
The introduction of the EASA LAPL has virtually eliminated all NPPL(A) training courses, hence, NPPL(M) which, whilst the cheapest way to get into flying, is restricted to microlights.
I am a little puzzled by your comment about having taken an NPPL(M) while grounded. Do you mean “differences” training or the full NPPL(M) training course?
To the best of my knowledge, you do not need to do a full NPPL(M) course if you already hold a PPL or LAPL. You just need to do a few hours of “differences” training and then, I believe, maintain a minimum number of hours on microlights over a given period to maintain currency on them.
If your current grounding is due to a current lack of funds to cover medical follow-ups or understandable reluctance to part with a four-figure sum (been there, done it...three times!) to get your Class 2 reinstated, then I sympathise with your predicament. I am not an AME but would advise caution there.
IF this is your current predicament, it might be advisable (if your GP can’t give you an NHS referral or you want to avoid delay) to bite the financial bullet and get the tests done rather than leaving your medical condition in a questionable state. You can then take things from there once the results are in, results which would hopefully be positive, would put your mind at ease and, with Class 2 reinstated, give you the maximum number of options regarding your future flying and licensing etc.