What happened
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published a complete reissue of CAP3181, its rulebook for the National Private Pilot's Licence (NPPL). Version 2, dated 1 September 2026, sets out the requirements for getting an NPPL(A) for aeroplanes, including credit from other licences, the associated class ratings and additional ratings such as the IMC Rating.
Separately, the CAA reminded holders of the UK Light Aircraft Pilot Licence for aeroplanes, the LAPL(A), that they had until 1 October 2026 to move their ratings to a new fixed validity period.
Why the NPPL rulebook matters
The NPPL changes date back to autumn 2025, when the CAA's General Aviation Pilot Licensing and Training Simplification project brought in major changes to UK private pilot licensing. As Flight Training News (FTN) reports, the CAA published an interim CAP3181 on 19 October 2025 and said a fuller version would follow by the end of 2025. That date passed, and schools spent most of a year working from interim guidance.
The new version gives schools one reference for NPPL(A) training. According to FTN, it covers:
- the requirements for obtaining the licence
- class ratings and additional ratings
- the training and examination requirements
- the Aerobatics Rating, the Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) Rating and the Night Rating, all of which can now be added to an NPPL
FTN says the publication is "less about a dramatic change to the NPPL itself" and more about giving schools a single, authoritative document to build syllabuses and lesson plans on. The CAA has told users to make sure they work from the latest version.
The LAPL(A) deadline
The CAA's Skywise alert says LAPL(A) holders had to comply with FCL.740.A by 1 October 2026. That meant transitioning their rating to a fixed 24-month validity and having their licence endorsed. Pilots who didn't do this would have to meet the renewal requirements in FCL.740. The CAA says it emailed LAPL(A) holders directly about the deadline as of 24 August 2026.
What this means if you're training
If you're learning to fly in the UK and thinking about the NPPL, this is good news. Your school now has a settled rulebook, which should mean fewer surprises in syllabuses, exams and paperwork. The NPPL can also now take on extra ratings such as night, IMC and aerobatics, which makes it a more flexible licence than it used to be. Ask your school whether its NPPL course has been updated to the September 2026 version of CAP3181.
If you already hold a UK LAPL(A) and missed the 1 October deadline, check the CAA's LAPL page and speak to an instructor or examiner about what renewal you now need before you fly as pilot in command.
Outside the UK, these changes don't apply. EASA countries still use the EASA LAPL and PPL.
Sources
- UK CAA, "CAP3181: The National Private Pilot's Licence – Requirements and guidance", Version 2, 1 September 2026: https://www.caa.co.uk/data-and-publications/publications/documents/content/cap3181/
- Flight Training News, "CAA publishes updated NPPL rulebook", 1 September 2026: https://www.ftnonline.co.uk/2026/09/01/caa-publishes-updated-nppl-rulebook/
- UK CAA Skywise, "REMINDER: LAPL(A) holders rating transition deadline (1st October 2026)": https://skywise.caa.co.uk/alerts/reminder-lapla-holders-rating-transition-deadline-1st-october-2026/