The seconded personnel question is an interesting one Alex as there are many (not all ECAC) stakeholders who would very much like the UK CAA seconded experts to continue in post as they are viewed as not only highly experienced but importantly, it is thought that they moderate some of the more contentious (federalist) views of other policy makers within the Agency. Additionally, a significant proportion of the rule-making staff come from other transport sectors (rail, maritime etc.) and the CAA experts (and others, as they are not only seconded from the CAA e.g. Met Office) are valued for their sectoral expertise.
The problem however lies in the fact that with few exceptions, these seconded personnel have no right to live and work in the EU following the UK's departure - EU citizenship is a requirement for employment by an agency of the EU, and irrespective of whether the UK remains attached somehow to EASA, those that would like to are concerned about their futures without a mechanism to allow them to stay. Interesting as the EU demands all EU citizens in the UK are offered protected status following a UK departure. The same is happening in other EU institutional bodies such as the SESAR Joint Undertaking, SESAR Deployment Manager etc. and rest assured, there has been a rush on Irish Citizenship in recent months. The one exception is Eurocontrol, where the UK remains a founding Member State whose affiliation will not be affected by changes to her relationship with the EU.
GAPilot261087
The lack of clarity in this sector has been astonishingly poor.
I disagree - the UK CAA and EASA have been quite clear how personnel licensing would be affected following the UK's departure from the EU. The fluidity with the departure date, although unknown, might not have been wholly unexpected and may in fact work in your favour if an extension or transition period allows you more time to complete your TK exams. For the reasons stated though, a SOLI transfer might well suit your ambitions to work for an EU operator but will you be eligible from a citizenship perspective? If not, why not stay where you are and aim for Loganair or BA?