FI (H) Rating HELP!

[Choppersquad01]

Hi All, I have a lapsed FI (H) rating (over 5 years) Been working in another industry for last ten years and have decided to come back to flying. Problem is I now need minimum CPL H to be able to renew my FI rating. Haven't got a problem with this as I am currently studying towards ATPL (H). This will obviously take time though and I was never informed about the situation when the rules changed - Granny Rights etc..

Is there any way I can renew my FI Rating before completing the ATPL? Can it be renewed and say 'frozen' till ATPL sorted out?

A lot has changed in this industry in the last ten years so any advice would be gladly received.

Many thanks in advance!

[puntosaurus]

From LASORS H1.13 (http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/srg_lts_LASORS%202010%20Bookmarked.pdf)

FI(H) Revalidation

For the holder of a FI(H) to revalidate their rating they
must complete 2 of the following requirements:

a. give at least 50 hours of flight instruction in
helicopters as FI(H), TRI(H),IRI(H) or as Examiner
during the period of validity of the rating. To include
at least 15 hours of flight instruction (which may
include skill testing/proficiency checking) within the
12 months preceding expiry of the FI(H) rating.

b. Attend a FI(H) refresher seminar as approved by the
Authority within the validity period of the FI rating.

c. Pass a FI(H) proficiency check within the 12 months
preceding expiry of the rating. For CFS Category
Instructors, a CFS Standardisation check on a
single-pilot, single-engine helicopter completed
within the 12 months preceding the expiry date of
the FI rating will be accepted in lieu of an FI(H)
proficiency check.

d. For the first revalidation, and for at least each
alternating revalidation, the FI(H) shall pass, as a
proficiency check, the skill test set out in Appendices
1 and 2 to JAR-FCL 2.320C & 2.320E of JAR-FCL 2
at Amendment 6 as one of the two requirements to
be fulfilled.

The first revalidation after initial issue of the rating shall
include a proficiency check as one of the requirements.
Thereafter, a proficiency check shall be included as one
of the requirements at least every alternate revalidation.

FI(H) Renewal

For the holder of a FI(H) to renew the rating they shall
complete items b) & c) as for revalidation within the last 12
months before renewal.

For a FI(H) expired by less than 5 years the Examiner will
sign a Certificate of Revalidation following the proficiency
check.

For a FI(H) rating that has expired by more than 5 years,
application should be sent to PLD for endorsement
together with the appropriate fee as per Scheme of
Charges. In addition, applicants will also be required to
submit completed form SRG\1153 to demonstrate to the
satisfaction of the Authority that knowledge of the relevant
parts of JAR-FCL and JAR-OPS has been acquired.
An existing FI who has not previously passed CPL level
examinations whose FI rating has expired by more than
5 years will be required to pass the JAR-CPL theoretical
knowledge examination before the FI rating can be
renewed.

Can't see anything about you needing a CPL first though, although I'm sure you'd need one to get paid. And I'm sure having worked in the industry before you wouldn't think of working for nothing and undermining the people working away at the bottom of the ladder :).

HTH.

[Choppersquad01]

Many thanks for the information - I guess I need to bring myself quickly up-to-speed with current rules & reg's!

Thanks again for your post.

[Translational Lift]

If you are still looking for one, there is a helicopter flight instructor refresher seminar running at Leicester in July. It is being delivered by Geoff Day and other industry speakers.

T.

[Heli-Jock]

I am scheduled in for a FI renewal with Geof Day sometime in August down at HC Leicester. Geof is a very good lad indeed! I have done all my ratings with him (tests by others) and couldn't recommend him any higher. :ok:

He is one of the few guys that puts you at ease when you are working under stress and i always seem to perform much better on the day because of this. Some guys have the ability to make you feel very inadequate, like, my dicks much, much, bigger than yours sort of thing and performance while under this stress can suffer!

HJ