Keeping Current

Come on in for general chat and POLITE banter between LAA members

Moderators: John Dean, Moderator

Post Reply
User avatar
Steve Slater
Posts: 117
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 4:57 pm

Keeping Current

Post by Steve Slater » Thu Mar 19, 2020 2:42 pm

On a more positive note, some excellent advice from Richard Keech of the Vintage Piper Aircraft Club........

In the light of so many events, meetings and even socialising in the local being cancelled - flying needn’t be.

Yes, subject to all the usual considerations, nothing can lift the spirits more than taking your vintage steed up into the blue and flying those steep turns, taking her down to the stall and recovering, flying simulated go-arounds etc. A tour around your local area can also put the world into a different perspective and this can be followed by a practice forced landing at your airfield followed by a low approach and go-around and then some circuits. A mere local flight such as this can seriously lift the spirits, it will maintain those flying skills and since there is no landing-away involved then it doesn’t count as "non-essential travel" and, not only that, it’s damn good fun!

I commend it to you; so do try and keep ‘em flying …. Coronavirus crisis or not!
Stephen Slater
034052

User avatar
Gerry Holland
Posts: 149
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:00 am
Location: White Ox Mead, Bath, Somerset

Re: Keeping Current

Post by Gerry Holland » Thu Mar 19, 2020 3:28 pm

Steve
Already decided to leave from self isolation at home using self isolation in the car or walk to my Airstrip.I have a single seater so yet again comply.
Formation flying will need to be at least 5M spacing!
I'm willing to accept visitors on a PPR at the strip to ensure no other bugger is there!
It should work. Yes flying will continue!
Gerry
028138

Mike Millar
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:30 pm

Re: Keeping Current

Post by Mike Millar » Fri Mar 20, 2020 11:41 am

Keeping flying to keep current is fine, if you can do it. In our case the airfield is closed due to waterlogging at the moment, but hopefully in a month will be flyable. However, our permit runs out in mid April. I had arranged for my inspector to do the permit inspection next week but, very sensibly, my well over 70 inspector has decided to cancel and self isolate. So it's likely that the permit will expire. Not really a problem to renew later - EXCEPT, that one of our pilots on a LAPL needs to do an hour by mid April or will be out of the 12 hours in 2 years recency requirememnt.

There are two cases here -
1. On a LAPL, maybe not a big problem - get an instructor to supervise dual or solo to make up the hours.
2. On a PPL - Flight test required - there coukld be a large number of flight tests once things improve.

Will there be any dispensation on the 12 hours in 2 years rule? Needs looking at.

User avatar
mikehallam
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:12 pm
Location: West Sussex
Contact:

Re: Keeping Current

Post by mikehallam » Fri Mar 20, 2020 12:30 pm

Quite true.

Regardless of Covi19 and the requirement not to congregate, the 24 month renewal period is really rather short especially when for four or five months a year our grass airstrips are unuseable - even solo, let alone at AUW.
For example I would, even in 'normal circumstances', need to arrange my March 2021 check flight at the latest around mid October this year to be sure of not getting caught out by the wx effects. Following years will likewise be truncated, there's no swings and roundabouts here !.
Therefore IMHO a revision to the two year period is already necessary, I do hope someone in our regulators will find the energy to propose ia better solution now we're free (almost) of Eu dicta..

User avatar
Chris Thompson
Posts: 43
Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2008 3:07 pm
Location: Hampshire
Contact:

Re: Keeping Current

Post by Chris Thompson » Fri Mar 20, 2020 2:57 pm

A Lapsed LAPL is not a major headache for someone who has been flying fairly regularly.

The rules about keeping your LAPL licence current, and what to do if you don’t meet the requirements are:

As most people realise, the"rolling validity" privileges of your licence remain valid if you have completed (every time you fly!) , in the last 24 months, as pilot of an aeroplane or TMG:

At least 12 hours flight time as PIC, including 12 take-offs and landings; PLUS
Refresher training of at least 1 hour of total flight time with an instructor.

Note the word "OR" in the paragraph below:

If you do not meet these requirements you will need to:

Complete a proficiency check with an examiner before you exercise the privileges of the licence. This the GST side of things; OR

Complete the additional flight time or take-offs and landings to meet the requirements above, flying dual or solo, under the supervision of an instructor.

So, if you have not done the "one-hour" then do it and then fly under supervision or dual until you catch up with the "rolling validity" criteria above.

If you have not done a lot of flying it could be unrealistic or impossible to "catch up" and therefore your best recourse would be the GST route.
014636

User avatar
mikehallam
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:12 pm
Location: West Sussex
Contact:

Re: Keeping Current

Post by mikehallam » Fri Mar 20, 2020 6:55 pm

Thank you,
I have done my usual 50 hours mostly spring time through autumn.
Are you saying that if l do the one hour with an
LAA instructor, say September 2020, instead of March 2021, l can legally then fly right round till March 2023 ?
i.e some 2 1/2 years.

That would certainly help as last time l failed to revalidate it cost me a mini gft and a wad of cash which l don't wish to repeat !

tnowak
Posts: 505
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:00 am

Re: Keeping Current

Post by tnowak » Fri Mar 20, 2020 7:09 pm

Has the LAA considered any process for temporarily extending permit validity?
My permit expires on 1st May and although I can do my routine permit work without getting close to anyone else in the hangar I wonder about my inspector having to travel to inspect and sign off etc.

Also any plans to make the permit renewal form on-line/electronic in nature so can be done without involving paper and needing pen signatures?

I know some older members may not be comfortable with computers and this "new" technology but maybe this now the time to investigate this?

Tony Nowak
Tony Nowak
008249

User avatar
Alan Kilbride
Posts: 311
Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:41 pm
Location: York

Re: Keeping Current

Post by Alan Kilbride » Fri Mar 20, 2020 9:20 pm

Mike, if you are into the 2nd year of your validity for an EASA PPL and have done the required 12hrs, etc, even on the second day of the 2nd year, you can revalidate with the one hour instructor flight. That would then give you 2 years 11 months and whatever days validity.
Please note the differences between renewal and revalidation.

Revalidation
To revalidate the rating you must complete the following:

Pass a proficiency check in a single-engine (single-pilot) aeroplane with an examiner. The proficiency check must take place within the 3 months immediately before the rating’s expiry date;

OR

12 hours of flight time in single-engine (single-pilot) aeroplane within the 12 months preceding the rating’s expiry date, including the following:
6 hours as pilot-in-command (PIC)
12 take-offs and landings
a training flight of at least 1 hour (or a maximum of three totalling 1 hour) with the same flight instructor or class rating instructor. If you have already completed a proficiency check or skill test in another type or class of aeroplane, you will not have to complete this training flight
Last edited by Alan Kilbride on Fri Mar 20, 2020 9:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
037174

User avatar
mikehallam
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:12 pm
Location: West Sussex
Contact:

Re: Keeping Current

Post by mikehallam » Fri Mar 20, 2020 9:38 pm

Thank you,

Mine's an old last Century UK PPL, assume ditto applies & will now renew this Summer or Autumn if we are allowed to have two in the plane. Today's Gov. bulletin predicts a much longer period of non contact. We'll have to take it as it comes !

Regards, mike.

Mike Millar
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:30 pm

Re: Keeping Current

Post by Mike Millar » Fri Mar 20, 2020 10:16 pm

Alan - It's not a problem for me. I just raised the issue because I'm the chief pilot of our group and at leat one other member may have a problem. They are very competent, cautious and I have no problem with their airmanship - if I do, I insist on proper checks.

In my case I hold an EASA PPL, National PPL and LAPL(S) with TMG rating. Several years ago, due to a minor medical condition, I took my eye off the ball and didn't get the revalidation signed before the due date (I had all the hour requirements etc), so my PPL's ceased to be valid. However, my LAPL(S) was valid and as most of my flying is TMG I decided that I could do without spending several hundred pounds just to help the gliding club out with tugging. Last year I did 60 hours plus just touring France/Italy alone, so I consider myself well within the legal and competency requirements, if rather rusty after the winter layoff. Personally, after a lifetime of regular military checks and tests I have no problem doing refresher training. I always learn something new. However, it's a bit of a nonsense being fully current on one licence and not being allowed to use the other for exactly the same flying. Still - rant over, that's the system and we have to live with it.

My personal view is that it depends on individual cases. Some people are quite safe even if a few weeks or even months out of currency. Others need watching like a hawk. Given an experienced and sensible instructor/examiner it's not really a problem, except for the cost, but some feel the need to dot the i's and cross the t's.

User avatar
Alan Kilbride
Posts: 311
Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:41 pm
Location: York

Re: Keeping Current

Post by Alan Kilbride » Sat Mar 21, 2020 7:26 am

Not teaching egg sucking Mike. Sorry if you thought that.
Just trying to help others who may be worried about revalidation. If they do it ASAP before any more restrictions are brought in, it could help.

Alan
037174

Post Reply