It's to easy (sorry about the pun) to just say the pilot "had forgotten to renew his licence". This is a joint responsibility between the pilot and the company. All the companies I know of issue timely reminders but this sounds like an error in administration.
Also are Easy that short of standby cover that the flight had to be cancelled?
It happens every now and again (alsoe with medicals, LCPs etc).
Imagine if it was the other way round - 'Exclusive: Airline pilot with expired licence flies holiday jet. Narrowly misses school*. Full story pages 3,4,5,8,10,11.'
[* 'Narrowly misses school' is obligatory in any aviation news story]
It is not a 'joint responsibility' to maintain licence validity, this responsibility lies with the licence holder alone. Any decent company however will have a system in place to remind the individual that a certain element of his licence is due for renewal as it is obviously in their interest to make sure that the employee remains employable at all times. Nonetheless if you hold a licence it is up to you and you alone to ensure that it remains valid.
I agree with FFB. As a result of the expired licence, although for all the difference it makes it might as well have been through sickness, there was a lack of crew to fly the sector. That's the responsibility of the company non?
Never mind, I can see a special dispensation coming soon to a part A near you...
It is not a 'joint responsibility' to maintain licence validity, this responsibility lies with the licence holder alone. Any decent company however will have a system in place to remind the individual that a certain element of his licence is due for renewal as it is obviously in their interest to make sure that the employee remains employable at all times. Nonetheless if you hold a licence it is up to you and you alone to ensure that it remains valid.
Smudger, yes from a legal standpoint I am aware of this and I agree with you but I believe there is also an onus on the operator to ensure their crews are operating legally.
Slightly off thread but several years ago a couple of pilots for a UK airline exceeded 100 hours in 28 days. Both the pilots AND the operator were (successfully) taken to court by the Authority.
If a pilot is flying with an invalid licence I still think the operator has some accountability.
It is not a 'joint responsibility' to maintain licence validity, this responsibility lies with the licence holder alone.
Whilst there is a personal responsibility on the part of the licence holder to make sure they are valid I think there is a joint legal responsibility and this has been written into the Part A for both companies I've worked for no doubt sourced from EU-OPS: EU-OPS 1.940 (a) An operator shall ensure that: (3) All flight crew members hold an applicable and valid licence acceptable to the Authority and are suitably qualified and competent to conduct the duties assigned to them;
OK chaps I'll look into it if I get the time but I'm certain that you can't blame your company if you are ramp checked and grounded because your licence has lapsed. (Moral;- keep your licence valid!).
The story says "200 passengers". According to Airbus the 321 can seat up to 199 pax. Do easy cram in more?
Also if it was an ex-GB 321 there may not be all that many crews cleared on it (if some GB crews jumped ship before the merger). You can't just take someone of a standard easy 319 and stick them in a 321 just like that.
Having just had to renew my JAR licence myself, it should be pointed out that this a stupid requirement!
My Australian ATPL is permanent (i.e. never has to be renewed), and the validity is simply based on a valid medical, and a passed check within the last year. Paying a load of cash to the UK CAA, just for someone to press the "print" button on the computer to renew a licence for another five years is a complete waste of time and money.
Apparantly plenty of flight crew looking for o/t that day, however ezy decided to canx service, which really cheered up the returning pax (There's your £89 Sir, enjoy your extended stay on the island! Any complaints please contact easyjet.com).
To add to the debate, it most certainly IS the responsibility of the pilot to maintain his own licence. In my company, we all had to renew our ATPL's last year as we were issued with JAA licences from a company bulk application five years previously. This time it was our responsibilty and it was made perfectly clear that we had to make a timely application. The company were aware of our expiry dates and we were issued with several written reminders enclosing CAA application forms and even a text message reminder to the company mobile. Really no excuse to get it wrong!
Kick Before you get all sarcastic with others, check YOUR facts....Deal?!
The 321 is crewed by ex-GB crew. We DO have an overtime agreement, and actually the moment rosters were published were given a list of about 40flights for august that needed covering with overtime.
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