Navigating the New CAA Pilot Licensing Changes 2025: What PPL, LAPL, and NPPL Pilots Need to Know for October 2025

The new CAA Pilot Licensing Changes 2025 are now live for all to digest. The CAA is rolling out the most significant simplification of General Aviation (GA) pilot licensing in a generation. Driven by the GA Pilot Licensing Review, the changes are designed to streamline training pathways, make licences easier to maintain, and reduce regulatory burdens following the UK’s departure from EASA.

With most of these key amendments coming into effect on 1st October 2025, it is essential for current pilots—including those holding a Private Pilot Licence (PPL), Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL), or National PPL (NPPL)—to understand how the new regulatory landscape affects their privileges and future flying plans.

Here is your comprehensive, fact-checked guide to the biggest changes arriving in the UK's aviation world.

The Major Shift: Aeroplane Licences Are Simplified

The most immediate change for fixed-wing pilots is the consolidation of the aeroplane licensing framework. The CAA is moving towards a cleaner system with two primary licences for recreational flying: the Part FCL PPL(A) and the simplified National PPL (NPPL)(A).

1. The Discontinuation of New LAPL(A) Licences

Effective 1st October 2025, the CAA will cease issuing the LAPL(A) (Light Aircraft Pilot Licence for Aeroplanes). This marks the end of new issues of this particular sub-ICAO licence.

• For Current LAPL(A) Holders: Your licence remains valid. Its privileges are unchanged. However, your licence validity will move to a fixed validity system by October 2026, aligning it more closely with the Part FCL PPL. This shift is intended to streamline future administration.
  

• For Students Currently Training for LAPL(A): All training completed up to the date of change will be fully credited towards a new NPPL(A) or a PPL(A).

2. The New National Private Pilot Licence (NPPL)(A)

The existing NPPL is being reformed and takes on the role of the primary sub-ICAO licence for UK-only flying (aircraft up to 2000kg MTOW). It offers a more accessible route to flying for those who don't require international privileges.

• Minimum Training: The minimum requirement for the NPPL(A) is set at 32 hours of flight time, which must include at least 10 hours of supervised solo flight time.
  

• Medical Requirements: An initial Pilot Medical Declaration (PMD) will be acceptable for the first issue of the NPPL, maintaining the accessible medical standards for this licence.
  

• Upgrading is Easier: NPPL holders who wish to upgrade to the ICAO-compliant Part FCL PPL(A) will now only need to pass a streamlined set of five bridging theoretical exams if they initially passed the Microlight NPPL exams. This creates a clearer upgrade pathway.

Part FCL PPL(A) Training Changes

For pilots working towards the internationally-recognised Part FCL PPL(A), the regulations are also seeing a welcome relaxation aimed at acknowledging and integrating previous flying experience.

• Reduced Minimum Hours: The standard minimum qualifying experience for the PPL(A) course is now 40 hours of flight time, a reduction from 45 hours.
  

• Competency-Based Course: Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) will be able to offer a competency-based PPL course with a minimum completion time of just 35 hours, subject to CAA approval. This benefits experienced student pilots transitioning from other aviation disciplines.
  

• Credit for Microlights: Crucially, the CAA is permitting more flight time to be credited from three-axis control system microlight aircraft towards the PPL(A) total hours. This simplifies the route for the growing number of pilots starting their journey in a microlight.
  

• Modern Technology Integration: The practical syllabus is being updated to formally include training in the use of VFR moving map devices, reflecting their widespread use in modern GA cockpits and enhancing practical navigation skills.

Rating and Revalidation Updates

The simplification isn't just about licences; it also targets the class ratings and the experience needed to keep them current.

1. New Class Rating Naming

The former Simple Single Engine Aeroplane (SSEA) rating on the NPPL(A) will be replaced by the Single Engine Piston (SEP) rating.

• Wider Privileges: While the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) privileges remain the same (2000kg), holders of the new SEP rating on the NPPL(A) will also be permitted to fly microlight aeroplanes after completing appropriate differences training, without needing a separate microlight rating. This means a pilot can operate a wider range of GA aircraft with a single rating.

  
  

• Automatic Transition: Pilots who hold an SSEA rating before 1st October 2025 will be automatically deemed to hold the SEP rating, requiring no administrative update.

2. Standardised Revalidation Requirements

The experience needed to revalidate your rating is being aligned across Part-FCL and NPPL holders.

• Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Hours: A standard minimum of 6 hours as pilot-in-command now applies to both PPL and NPPL aeroplane holders within the revalidation period (the total flight hours required remains 12 hours).
  

• Part-FCL Flexibility: For Part-FCL ratings, up to 6 of the required 12 flight hours may now be flown in the first year of the rating’s validity. This provides greater flexibility in managing flying currency across the two-year period.

3. Aerobatic Rating Requirement

A significant safety change is the new requirement for an Aerobatic Rating. For any licence issued under the Air Navigation Order (including the NPPL) after 30th September 2025, it will be a formal requirement to hold an aerobatic rating before conducting aerobatic manoeuvres. This introduces a standardised training requirement for this type of flying.

More information

The CAA have produced this informative video that explains all the upcoming changes you need to know about.

UK CAA General Aviation Pilot Licensing