It's easy to see how the Brits are wound up and the Continentals aren't. The UK CAA failed to prepare properly for JAA implementation while the various European regulatory bodies did their homework. Indeed, the UK CAA are still unable to give a straight answer to any question on JARs and seem to be as confused about it as we practitioners.
As one chap has already indicated, he had to spend well over a thousand pounds converting to JAR 66 and needed to personally organise the recognition of his training courses at his own expense. Its all right saying that your company QA department will do the business but in reality many people no longer work for the company that gave them the type training. And what about contractors?
No, JAR 66 has been very badly handled by the UK CAA, but I believe the relevant phrase is "Who guards the guards?" Personally I've no intention of wasting my time converting. When my current section L licence expires I'll flush it down the toilet and get a job in some other industry. Unfortunately, for the majority in our business, that's not an option. The government and regulators destroyed the once proud British aircraft manufacturing industry through mind boggling incompetence and now they're busy destroying the aircraft maintenance business as well. Sad,sad,sad...
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Through difficulties to the cinema
[ 06 August 2001: Message edited by: Blacksheep ]