British Young Pilots
Our syllabus
A clear pathway from a first flight in the simulator to being ready for the NPPL Microlight ground school exams.
From January 2027The pathway at a glance
How students progress
Every student starts with Wings, moves on to Intermediate Club and then to Advanced Club. Children can join for a single term or stay for the whole journey.
Certificates awarded for each module · Real ground school exams count towards an NPPL if taken within two years of the General Skills Test
Stage by stage
What students learn
Stage 1
Wings
Where every young pilot starts
Wings is our single-term course for new starters. Students learn to fly in a simulator with a BYP instructor, discover how aircraft work and meet other young people who love aviation.
- Hands-on simulator flying from the first session
- An introduction to the essentials of aviation
- No commitment beyond one term: stay on only if your child loves it
Stage 2
Intermediate Club
Modules A–D
Turning enthusiasm into real skill
Across four modules, students develop their flying in the simulator and learn the theory that sits behind it, with classroom teaching and simulator practice working side by side.
- Modules A–D can be completed in any order
- Aerodynamics, meteorology, navigation, aircraft systems and flight planning
- A certificate awarded for each module
Stage 3
Advanced Club
Modules E–H
New from January 2027Ground school exam preparation
From January 2027, Advanced Club becomes mostly theory. Each module is dedicated to one NPPL Microlight ground school subject and finishes with a mock exam. Modules E–H can be completed in any order, with a certificate awarded for each.
Module E
Meteorology
Understanding and forecasting the weather for flight. Ends with a mock exam.
Module F
Aviation Law
The rules of the air, often called Air Law. Ends with a mock exam.
Module G
Navigation
Planning a route and finding the way in the air. Ends with a mock exam.
Module H
Aircraft Technical
How the aircraft, its engine and its systems work. Ends with a mock exam.
Human Factors online course. Free for all members who complete Advanced Club. Human Factors (also known as Human Performance and Limitations) is the fifth subject, so students finish with all five ground school subjects covered.
Why we have made the change
A syllabus that leads somewhere
Our aim is to teach students to achieve their NPPL Microlight licence. The updated Advanced Club ties every module directly to that aim.
Every module counts
Each Advanced module covers a subject from the licence ground exams and ends with a mock exam, so students know where they stand.
Flexible to join
Modules can be completed in any order, so students can pick up the pathway whichever term they start.
All five subjects covered
Four subjects are taught in club and the fifth, Human Factors, comes free online for members who complete Advanced Club.
The destination
The NPPL Microlight licence
The National Private Pilot Licence with a Microlight rating is a UK pilot's licence that a young person can hold from the age of 17.
Real ground school exams count towards an NPPL if taken within two years of the General Skills Test. Licence requirements are set by the Civil Aviation Authority and administered for microlights by the British Microlight Aircraft Association.
Questions from parents
Frequently asked questions
What is changing in January 2027?
Advanced Club (Modules E–H) becomes ground school exam preparation. Each module covers one NPPL Microlight ground school subject and ends with a mock exam. Members who complete Advanced Club also receive a free Human Factors online course.
Which subject is taught in which module?
Module E is Meteorology, Module F is Aviation Law, Module G is Navigation and Module H is Aircraft Technical. Human Factors is the free online course. Together these are the five NPPL Microlight ground school subjects.
Do the modules have to be taken in order?
No. Modules A–D in Intermediate Club can be completed in any order, and so can Modules E–H in Advanced Club.
Does my child have to commit to the whole syllabus?
No. Children are welcome to join for a single term. Those who want to continue can progress through Wings, Intermediate Club and Advanced Club.
Is the Human Factors course really free?
Yes. It is free for all members who complete Advanced Club.
Do the exams count towards a real licence?
The exams in Advanced Club are mock exams that show a student is ready. Real ground school exams count towards an NPPL if they are taken within two years of the General Skills Test, the final flying test for the licence.
Will students receive certificates?
Yes. A certificate is awarded for each module completed.
Ready to start the journey?
Find your nearest British Young Pilots club and join the next generation of young pilots.