The UK Civil Aviation Authority has appealed to the European Aviation Safety Agency to delay the date for the start of new flightcrew licensing rules.
At present European Commission legislation requires all EASA contracting states to transition from the present European flightcrew licensing rules (JAR FCL) to the legally binding FCL implementing rules by 8 April 2012.
The CAA says that date is unrealistic, given that many states are not yet fully compliant even with JAR FCL, and that there are national variations among those who are compliant.
FCL implementing rules, which are at the notice of proposed amendment (NPA) consultation stage, will lay down the training and performance standards appropriate for the awarding of all types of flying licence. Commenting to EASA on the NPA, the CAA says: "It would be incorrect to assume that states are applying JAR FCL 1, 2 and 3 and that transition to Part FCL would be seamless. Many states are using earlier amendments than used for Part FCL and a number have yet to implement JAR FCL."
It adds: "There are also national licences with no JAR FCL or Part FCL equivalent or issued as deviations from JAR FCL. All states will need to amend current national rules for aircraft other than aeroplanes and helicopters." The CAA recommends EASA applies to the EC for permission to extend the transitional period, warning that failure to do this would cause "harm" to the industry.
Specific points have been made by the CAA. It backs EASA's proposals for a leisure pilot licence (LPL) and allowing private pilot licence (PPL) holders with an instructor's rating to be paid as flying instructors for pilots learning to fly up to PPL standard. But it is concerned that some of the training and qualification standards for instructors preparing pilots for professional licences are not high enough.
The CAA also wants the requirements for courses that take pilots to professional levels to be a part of the "hard" legislation, so as to ensure "uniformity of competence", not - as proposed at present - to allow more flexibility under acceptable means of compliance guidance.
Source: Flight International
