It was always clear that for many pilots retaining an EASA licence was necessary post BREXIT, for work and other reasons. The CAA cannot have been unaware because many made this very clear. It is as if little actionable thought was put into this though, prior to December 31st. At the end of the 'transition period' there was always only one of two outcomes: the EASA licenses were retained and we carried on as normal or, as happened, we left the EU and also by default EASA. We now hold a EU EASA licence (if SOLI'd) or a 3rd country licence viewed from Brussels. SOLI'ing the licence before the decision day had to be an all or nothing action. Not the fault of the CAA but because of the bureaucratic and over zealous EU/EASA: i.e. you hold one licence issued somewhere in euro land or no licence (setting aside the limited national licenses). EASA have done nothing at all about any of it to assist and have cast the UK EASA licence holders to the wind.
The Examiner holds an authority to enact on behalf of each individual NAA, it is not a rating and so cannot be treated the same. None the less, the CAA has provided to have, in addition, a full UK licence commensurate with the previous SOLI'd UK EASA licence.The ratings and authorities previously held in the UK should go with it in my view.
- that’s despite having done a U.K. AoC in November and the OnTrack seminar in February.
Hopefully common sense will prevail and the privileges will be restored without too much expense.
Perhaps they will, but you have to apply.