common sense seems to have prevailed to chagrin of some existing DEs. Check African Aviation for full update.
El Sid,
Similar new multi level FDE ideas for fixed wing but not really difficult to get as fixed wing transport type flying quickly racks up the hours necessary.
Real issue behind the scenes here is that if you grant say a DE2 status where you just do CPLs and IFs then some existing DE1s are all miffed cos they lose the income they\'ve been making in their spare time from the airline, especially if DE level 2 only charges 75% of what they are used to charge. It\'s all about economics of free market against protectionism.