2016: renew EASA PPL (SE) licence outside the U.K.

[XLC]

I need to renew my EASA PPL (SE) issued by the UK's CAA. It lapsed 9 weeks ago. However this time I have to renew this in another EASA-country, on the continent .

The question for this thread is whether information needs to be given to Gatwick prior to the ATO's evaluation and prof check? Or not?

I do not find that particular information on their site. 3 years ago on PPRuNe some wrote that you should inform Gatwick first to get an authorisation. Is this still the case, and if so which form does the local non-UK but EASA ATO need to use?

[460]

Perhaps simplest, XLC, to post the regulation, exactly, word for word.
You'll see there's no CAA, or any other National Authority, involvement at all.

FCL.740 Validity and renewal of class and type ratings
(a) The period of validity of class and type ratings shall be 1 year, except for single-pilot single-engine class ratings, for which the period of validity shall be 2 years, unless otherwise determined by the operational suitability data, established in accordance with Part-21.
(b) Renewal. If a class or type rating has expired, the applicant shall:

(1) take refresher training at an ATO, when necessary to reach the level of proficiency necessary to safely operate the relevant class or type of aircraft; and
(2) pass a proficiency check in accordance with Appendix 9 to this Part.

There's another clause with just a slight bearing on it:

FCL.015 Application and issue, revalidation and renewal of licences, ratings and certificates
(a) An application for the issue, revalidation or renewal of pilot licences and associated ratings and certificates shall be submitted to the competent authority in a form and manner established by this authority
........

The deal here is that your renewal itself will be done by the examiner, on the Authority's behalf, thus it is the examiner you apply to.

Once all done, the CAA will be told via a (ridiculous) form.

[ifitaintboeing]

3 years ago on PPRuNe some wrote that you should inform Gatwick first to get an authorisation. Is this still the case, and if so which form does the local non-UK but EASA ATO need to use?

Yes, the non-UK examiner must follow the UK CAA notification procedures contained in Information Notice 2016-003 prior to a Skill Test, Proficiency check, or Assessment of Competence for any UK licence holder. More detail can also be found in the EASA Examiner Differences document.

ifitaint...

[XLC]

thank you very much for your information - this is perfect and I hope useful for other pilots as well.

[swbok]

EASA requirements outside of home/issuing country

Given all the one big family tosh EASA feeds us, you'd be forgiven for thinking you could get your renewals, validations etc. in any Member State.
Well.......you cannot.
This is based on very recent personal UK CAA experience with PPL SEP:
1. For a renewal (SEP expired for whatever reason), you must clarify with the CAA in Gatwick that BOTH the foreign ATO is recognised by the CAA and the foreign examiner is CAA accredited. (Examiner will have done a CAA computer based course.)
2. For a revalidation (SEP hours & instruction fulfilled, you need for a sign off), this cannot be done!
Only UK CAA qualified aircrew may revalidate a UK CAA document. Basically you need a Brit!

Yup - foreigners can renew yr license (if in CAA's good books). However, if you've done everything needed to stay current, well tough luck they can't sign-off and please book a flight back to the UK!

(Don't get me started on the English language requirement......thankfully a one off PITA but again you simply need a Brit. - forget all the Europe nonsense. CAA will not accept submission.)

[Super Sytky]

yep similar sort of ****e in Switzerland. Quote from BAZL > as there are so many differing standards within the EU, we cannot accept the theory as completed at the CAA in Gatwick. unquote. Nothing more than a money making farce.

[CTE]

2. For a revalidation (SEP hours & instruction fulfilled, you need for a sign off), this cannot be done!
Only UK CAA qualified aircrew may revalidate a UK CAA document. Basically you need a Brit!

Difficult -yes. Impossible - no.
I had my revalidation done this year in a non-UK EASA country by a UK CAA Examiner. CAA UK approved examiners do exist outside the UK, although they can be hard to find.
The CAA does not keep a list (oddly enough, but what did you expect) with their approved examiners outside UK, so I suggest starting to call up the large flight schools in your area/country to find out what is possible.

-CTE

[S-Works]

Seriously....... It's dead simple. We are a UK school in Spain and train people from all over the EU without problem.

You will need to get a course completion certificate from the ATO after the Head of Training decides what your refresher requirements are. The examiner reads the EASA examiner differences document and notifies the CAA of the test if a noN UK Examiner. After the test the SRG1157 foes to the CAA along with the course completion certificate and a copy of the ATO approval. The examiner signs your licence and logbook and that's the job done.

It's simple and easy.