Part 61 - Special Pilot Licence

[HighFlyer75]

Hi All,

Apologies if this has already been asked and answered but I have tried searching PPRuNe and Google and haven't managed to find an answer.

Does anybody know what impact Part 61 will have for existing Special Pilot Licence holders? All I can find on the CASA site is a reference to new issues;

Special Pilot Licence to be withdrawn and PPL able to be issued to overseas PPL holder without a flight test (but with an airlaw exam and a flight review)

At the moment I have an active Spec Licence with a current flight review but I have not done the airlaw exam because there was no requirement to do so. Does this mean that my Spec Licence will become invalid on 4 December?

I realise that these questions should be directed at CASA but I haven't had much luck getting a straight answer out of them in the past so thought I would see if the clever people here have any information.

Cheers,
HighFlyer

[601]

I would ask the question of CASA, otherwise doing this;

I realise that these questions should be directed at CASA but I haven't had much luck getting a straight answer out of them in the past so thought I would see if the clever people here have any information first.

will confuse everyone.

[HighFlyer75]

I have sent the same question to CASA a few weeks ago but no answer so far. That's why I thought I would try here as I am sure I am not the only person with a Special pilots Licence and maybe someone else has already asked and knows the answer. It is also clear from other threads on PPRuNe that there are people on here who have a good understanding of what impact the new regs will have so can't hurt to ask.

If I get a response from CASA I will post it here. In the meantime, if anyone already knows the answer, I would appreciate it.

[Horatio Leafblower]

Ring CASA and ask for Mike Juelg (pronounced "Yoolg") or someone else on the Part 61 implementation team.

There is no better source, he has helped us with some transitional issues this week too.

BTW, the air law exam is not a big issue if you have access to a copy of the Day VFR Guide.

Cheers

[Clare Prop]

I'm trying to find out if this means an overseas PPL holder can come over, do the air law, a flight review and then hop in a plane and have a lovely flying holiday without any interference whatsoever from Canberra. So far the CASA answers have been "we don't know" and "we will get back to you on that" and even "if you find out can you tell me?"

Would be good if true, the C of V s started taking months instead of hours after they set up CLARC and closed down flying tourism in this country.

[601]

I have sent the same question to CASA a few weeks ago but no answer so far

I believe I have a few outstanding, the longest would be over 6 years and still no answer.

[HighFlyer75]

I just spoke to CASA and got and got an interesting response to this. I was told that the information that is currently on the CASA site is incorrect and that from 4 December the replacement for the special licence is;

- Submit form
- Get PPL
- Do flight review
- Use PPL

Apparently there will not be a need to do any exams and the reference to the air law exam on the site is incorrect and will be removed.

So, given that I have a current flight review, I was told I have to wait until 4 December, download and submit the new form and then wait for my PPL to arrive. The special licence I currently have will become invalid on 4 December and I will not be able to apply for the PPL under the new regs until 4 December so I will have a period where I am not able to fly. Hopefully the turnaround time is not too long on the issue of the new licence.

[PhilKenSebben]

I just spoke to CASA and got and got an interesting response to this. I was told that the information that is currently on the CASA site is incorrect and that from 4 December the replacement for the special licence is;

If this is true that is fantastic news. I have an overseas CPL sitting in my pocket that I can't fly on at the moment, if I can convert it over to a PPL without any exams then that would be fantastic.

Does anybody know though, if I convert to a PPL now can I still convert my CPL over later? Or do I have to sit all of the Aus CPL exams from scratch?

[Dick Smith]

Should be like renting a car in the USA or anywhere if we want to bring in export dollars from overseas tourist pilots

That is show your licence and go flying!

Big dollars in this for Australia.

[HighFlyer75]

Completely agree Dick. In the UK they currently allow people with FAA or Australian licences to fly G-reg planes in UK airspace without any kind of conversion (although that might change soon I hear). The only limitation is that you can't go international. Doing something similar here would be great because a restriction on international travel in a country the size of Australia would not really be an issue for foreign pilots wishing to come here for a flying holiday.

[MakeItHappenCaptain]

From the MOS, albeit not updated since 2010.


• Special Pilot Licence (SPECPLA/H/G)
This is a longer-term authorisation permitting the holder to engage in private day VFR operations. The SPECPL is valid only as long as the overseas pilot’s licence is valid. If the overseas medical certificate expires, the holder may apply for an Australian medical certificate. May be used to gain additional aircraft endorsements but not for flying training. Instrument ratings (other than PIFR ratings) and Night VFR ratings cannot be put on or used on a special pilot licence.
➜Note: CASA plans to phase out the SPECPL. Therefore, overseas pilots seeking an authorisation for three months or more should be encouraged to apply for an Australian flight crew licence.
Transitional arrangements may require the SPECPL holders to pass an exam and flight test for the issue of a PPL.

[apache]

Ok.... So my question is, what about an Aussie cpl/ATPL holder who left Australian many moons ago,for whatever reason...... Do they need todo an Aussie medical etc!? They already have a perpetually valid ATPL/cpl based on an aus medical. Can they now fly privately in oz based on overseas quals? Ie...haven't done an aus medical for a few years, but still current and qualified and have a current, although overseas, medical.

Agreed, many of them have NOT flown a small a/c for many a year, and I would doubt that they want to fly one IFR.... Can they now do so VFR?

[Arm out the window]

And of course the ASIC will rear its ugly head, I'd imagine ... licensing might get easier but I can't see the 'security' side of things being so easily dealt with (in an administrative rather than actual sense, naturally!)

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

And the Good News of the day is......

An AMROBA Newsletter, dated 17 Nov, @0639, says that amendments to parts 61, 141, & 142 have been delayed by Minister Truss, until Sept 2014......

Cheers

[roundsounds]

How can the delay of Part 61 be good news? The advantages of privileges to flight instructors will lead to cost savings to people who fly for recreation. Eg - Flight reviews, aeros and formation endorsements will not require AOC coverage, GFPT replaced by an RPL (like the old restricted licence, with a limit of MTOW less than 1500kg) and the greatest potential to resuscitate GA the ability to convert an RAAus pilot certificate to a GA RPL with a flight review. More good news than bad in Part 61 if you get into the detail.

[5-in-50]

Will Dec-04 roll out as scheduled?

With the mass confusion around detail and endless unanswerable questions on the upcoming changes, will CASA delay some or all of the Dec-04 changes to better prepare?

Discuss or post rumours.

[Jabawocky]

I am not 100% sure, but I think the fact will be not a snowflakes chance in hell on a hot summers day.

Is that a good enough prediction?

[601]

How can the delay of Part 61 be good news?

Maybe getting it correct the first time would be one place to start.

[roundsounds]

I'm in the process of applying for a certificate under Part 141 and cannot see any problems with Parts 61 or 141! That's if you read the actual regs rather than listen to the rumours!

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Hi :5,

See previous post re 'Part 61' ......is that wot U were after..?