SSEA privileges on UK JAR PPL

[Single Spey]

A pilot holding a current NPPL medial declaration, and a UK JAR PPL with an SEP(Land) rating that expired a month ago, undertakes and passes a GST in an SSEA category aircraft. According to the latest ANO changes he is now legal to fly within the NPPL privileges. How is this documented? Is the examiner's sign off in the pilot's logbook adequate? Does the pilot have to apply (and pay) for a SSEA rating (and if so can it be written up in his licence)?

[homeguard]

They are both pilots licence ratings NOT catergories of aircraft. There isn't a SSEA aeroplane catergory.

An NPPL who holds a SSEA rating may only fly single engined piston propellor aeroplanes that do not have an AUW that exceeds 2000kg. May only carry three passengers. Cannot fly at night or in IMC nor fly outside of the UK.

BEagle has explained all on another thread. However it is as follows; The CAA have granted an exemption (currently for one year) for those who hold a JAA or lifetime UK PPL to fly using a Medical Declaration as part of their licence signed by their GP in place of the JAA Medical certificate. BUT they are also restricted, if doing so, to the same extent as the NPPL holder. The Medical Declaration is the same as that which the NPPL holder is currently required to have issued, if they do not hold a JAA medical (some may).

[Single Spey]

homeguard

Terminology and privileges aside, how is the SSEA rating added to the UK PPL? Is it sufficient just to undertake the GST and get it signed off in a log book, or does the pilot have to get an SSEA rating added to the UK JAR PPL? If he was just revalidating an SEP(L) rating by taking the GST then it would be signed up as a renewal and no fee would be payable to the CAA. However can the examiner just add an SSEA rating in the same way or does the rating have to be 'issued' by an appropiate authority? If not what proof has to be available to say that the pilot is operating legally? Also does the NPPL Association require a copy of the medical declaration - I can't imagine they would be interested as the pilot is not actually an NPPL licence holder. Or should a copy be sent to the CAA instead?

[BEagle]

Terminology and privileges aside.....

Why? Terminology and privileges are pretty crucial

.....how is the SSEA rating added to the UK PPL?

UK PPL or CAA-issued JAR-FCL PPL(A)?

If you wish to add the SSEA Class Rating, you will need to pass the SSEA General Skill Test. But why bother if your SEP Class Rating is valid and you have a Medical Declaration as you can just continue to fly on a SEP Class Rating but restricted to SSEA Class Rating privileges?

Is it sufficient just to undertake the GST and get it signed off in a log book....

No.

.....or does the pilot have to get an SSEA rating added to the UK JAR PPL?

Do you mean UK PPL or CAA-issued JAR-FCL PPL(A). In either case if you really want a SSEA Class Rating rather than simply flying on a SEP Class Rating restricted to SSEA Class Rating privileges, then you will need to pass the GST, apply to the CAA and pay the fee...

If he was just revalidating an SEP(L) rating by taking the GST then it would be signed up as a renewal and no fee would be payable to the CAA.

You cannot ‘revalidate’ a SEP Class Rating by ‘taking the GST’. Either you revalidate by passing a Licensing Proficiency Check or renew by passing a Licensing Skill Test.

However can the examiner just add an SSEA rating in the same way or does the rating have to be 'issued' by an appropiate authority?

Examiners cannot add Class Ratings to a licence.

If not what proof has to be available to say that the pilot is operating legally?

You will need to make a declaration when you apply for a Class Rating – penalties for false declarations are pretty steep.

Also does the NPPL Association.....

There is no such body

......require a copy of the medical declaration - I can't imagine they would be interested as the pilot is not actually an NPPL licence holder. Or should a copy be sent to the CAA instead?

To add any Rating to a UK or CAA-issued JAR-FCL licence, you must apply to the CAA.

[homeguard]

Well, Single Spey, you ask a fair question.

The NPPL holder is required to send their Medical Declaration to the group for recording each time the 'declaration' is signed. The JAA process is done online by the AME and therefore is recorded direct with the CAA.

The current exemption is no doubt a good thing but not thought through in respect to your question, its been done in a hurry. Read the exemption thoughtfully, comply with it, don't look for problems and sleep soundly at night. No one is expecting any more of you than that.

However, should you wish to be assured, respectfully send a copy of the Medical Declaration to PLD at Gatwick, they are after all trying to be helpful and should be respected for their efforts.

[CaptAirProx]

BEagle,

I tended to agree with your statement regarding Examiners not being able to issue a rating until this farcical changeover happened.

I have been told in writing after the CAA turned away one of these "Inclusion of another Class Rating" forms, that I as the examiner should sign up the Micolight Rating in the licence based on the grandfather rights of the holder having flown them on differences training prior. I thought we could only revalidate or renew a rating but the CAA and BMAA have told me to ISSUE one!

I feel so much more empowered by this new found authority - or was that utterly confused?????!!!!!

[BEagle]

The idea of the 'temporary' Class Rating statement in the NPPL for those with grandfather privileges was to tide them over until the CAA manages to issue the new licence.

New Class Ratings cannot be issued - the entry by the Examiner is exactly as described by the BMAA. The 'Inclusion of an Additional Rating form' has to be sent to the CAA so that they know to whom the replacement licence Rating page must be sent.

This was all agreed with the CAA and they accepted it - if now some Examiners and CAA staff are getting confused, then the Examiner must contact either the BMAA, BGA or NPLG as appropriate and seek clarification.

The CAA is overworked and understaffed thanks to years of cut backs at lower levels where the work is done - certain NPPL issues are still to be completed and there's nothing we can do except wait.