Licences and Medicals

[P5151]

Cookie this is really a question for you as I am sure you are the only person on the planet that understands the mess the EU has made of licencing and medicals. Can you go through each bit piece by piece and confirm if I am correct, or where I am going wrong.

As I understand it on my UK PPL(A):-

1. I will in the future only be able to fly Annex 11 aircraft and the minimum medical requirement is a class 2.

2. As this is an ICAO licence I can fly abroad on it in my Annex 11 aircraft?

3. The requirement for an English proficiency test does not apply to this licence?

4. As I have night and other ratings on this licence these would remain valid if Annex 11 aircraft were allowed to conduct flight at night or IMC in the future.

5. Would conversion to an LAPL or EASA PPL A, mean my UK PPL is revoked or would I hold two licences?

6. Conversion to an LAPL would mean 2 yearly medicals (for 60 year old), so would be cheaper to keep running, but I would loose all the ratings, and only allows flight in the UK?

7. An EASA PPL A still requires a class 2 medical?

8. If I were to get an LAPL and fly on that for say three years, would the BFR also count to keep my UK PPL(A), and could I then go back and get a class 2 medical and fly on my UK PPL (A) for the next year.

I have no issues at all getting through a class two and all of my flying is in Annex 11 aircraft and I have no interest in flying EASA types, so the only advantage an LAPL seems to offer is 2 yearly medicals. However, I would not be able to fly abroad with that licence or keep ratings as I understand it so would have to revert to my UK PPL(A) and class two medicals.

Thanks for your stirling work!!

[Cookie]

Hi Steve,

I will answer your questions below one at a time over the next few days, if I may.

Kind regards,

Cookie

[Cookie]

As I understand it on my UK PPL(A):-

1. I will in the future only be able to fly Annex 11 aircraft and the minimum medical requirement is a class 2

From 08th April 2015, your UK PPL will only be valid for use on non-EASA aircraft.

Your UK PPL with SEP rating normally requires a Class 2 medical. This provides full ICAO privileges, including flying your non-EASA (LAA Permit to Fly) aircraft abroad.

The UK CAA have issued an exemption which allows you to fly using a UK PPL with SEP rating using a Medical Declaration or LAPL medical. This restricts you to NPPL SSEA privileges, which does not include flying abroad. This exemption has been signed and is valid until at least 2016. I have a copy of this exemption but it hasn't been formally published - it is due shortly as a ORS4 exemption.

Cookie

[Cookie]

2. As this is an ICAO licence I can fly abroad on it in my Annex 11 aircraft?

Yes, providing you comply with the usual requirements contained in Technical Leaflet 2.08.

Cookie

[Cookie]

3. The requirement for an English proficiency test does not apply to this licence?

It does, but in reality you are unlikely to know until you apply to the CAA for licensing action. If you obtain a Level 6 it is valid for life so you don't need to worry about it again.

See here for a full explanation.

Cookie

[Cookie]

4. As I have night and other ratings on this licence these would remain valid if Annex 11 aircraft were allowed to conduct flight at night or IMC in the future.

Yes, they will be valid for use on non-EASA aircraft.

Also, you can complete training and testing towards EASA licences and ratings on a non-EASA aircraft (such as LAA Permit to Fly aircraft).

Cookie

[Cookie]

5. Would conversion to an LAPL or EASA PPL A, mean my UK PPL is revoked or would I hold two licences?

No, it won't be revoked. You may hold an EASA licence and continue to maintain your UK PPL. Your UK licence continues to be valid providing you get your SEP Certificate of Revalidation signed in it, and have a valid medical (see above). The ANO will be amended in the future to reflect the fact that your UK PPL will be restricted to non-EASA aircraft after 08th April 2015.

What you are not permitted to do is hold two EASA licences for the same category of aircraft - therefore you cannot hold a EASA LAPL and EASA PPL.

6. Conversion to an LAPL would mean 2 yearly medicals (for 60 year old), so would be cheaper to keep running, but I would loose all the ratings, and only allows flight in the UK?

A LAPL licence with LAPL medical is valid for flight in Europe. The question of whether it is valid for non-EASA aircraft in Europe will be resolved shortly.

A LAPL may contain a Night rating, Aerobatic Rating and Tow a Rating, but not a IR(Restricted). If you decide on a LAPL you may wish to maintain your UK licence with IMC rating just in case Permit to Fly aircraft obtain permission to fly IFR/IMC.

7. An EASA PPL A still requires a class 2 medical?

Correct. You cannot validate a EASA PPL with a LAPL medical (or LAPL medical privileges when your Class 2 privileges expire).

To use a LAPL medical, or LAPL privileges (using your Class 2 medical beyond the Class 2 expiry date) you can use the CAA exemption and your UK licence which allows flights in the UK providing your UK licence and SEP rating are current and valid. After 08th April this will be restricted further to non-EASA aircraft.

8. If I were to get an LAPL and fly on that for say three years, would the BFR also count to keep my UK PPL(A), and could I then go back and get a class 2 medical and fly on my UK PPL (A) for the next year.

Yes the 'one hour with an instructor' would count. However, you will still need to get the SEP Certificate of Revalidation signed in your UK licence. The exemption only allows for an examiner to sign for SEP Revalidation in this licence whilst your Class 2 is valid.

Another other option is to renew the SEP rating in your UK licence by Proficiency Check with an examiner when you wish to exercise those privileges.

Or - to continue flying with your UK licence and a Medical Declaration or LAPL medical beyond the expiry of your SEP rating, within the privileges of a NPPL, you must obtain a SSEA rating on your UK licence.

All the best,

Cookie

[Steve Brown]

Thanks Jon

Despite your valiant efforts I'm beginning to lose the will to live on all this stuff.

Could anyone have made this more complicated if they had tried!

European harmonisation! ?

One day someone will get prosecuted for a breach of one or other of this lot and it will be interesting to be in court (as an observer!) to hear the magistrate or judge trying to understand the case better than the poor defendant.

Steve

[P5151]

Jon,

Yes thanks..... I hope to see you at the show sunday.

I agree completely with Steve, if ever any of this went to court the Bench would be totally confused.

Where there is a situation when you can fly areoplane x on any of three licences, with a three different medical standards, lasting various lengths of time, it would be so easy to show the law to be an Ass.

Thanks again....... still confused of Coventry.

Steve A

[John Price]

EASA,

Designed by lawyers to keep other lawyers and judges in business.

I don't remember who said that, ' when left alone lawyers will make mischief for themselves'.

John.

[John Price]

EASA,

Designed by lawyers to keep other lawyers and judges in business.

I don't remember who said that, ' when left alone lawyers will make mischief for themselves'.

John.

[Cookie]

Yes thanks..... I hope to see you at the show sunday.

I am on the LAA stand on Saturday - it's John Brady, Robb Metcalfe and David Murcott on Sunday.

All the best,

Cookie