Do these UK figures assume that the employer pays for licence and rating revalidations and for medicals? We examiners now also have to fork out once very 3 years for someone from the CAA (or a FIE at £150 a throw) to sit and 'observe' a skill test or proficiency check. WHY?? It is only recommended under JARs - but the Belgrano has decided to make it compulsory. Perhaps they no speako Euro and don't know the difference between 'shall' and 'should'?? And if they can't 'observe' then they have to be a 'dummy'. How true!! But what the hell are they supposed to be 'observing'?