Hi DFC,
As I said before, I am of course talking about what is legal and within the rules, not necessarily what is sensible. Yes, a lapsed SEP less than 5 years has no training requirements so it is up to the pilot himself to decide what preparation he feels is required prepare for the test; for a rating lapsed over 5 years th CFI decides the content of the training package. In either cae solo might be beneficial and wold certainly be legal if supervised by an FI.
I do realise that there may be insurance issues. But, leaving that aside for now; I am familiar with the guidance in LASORS but, it is guidance, not requirements! One might also say that it is pretty thin guidance as it does not in fact specify that any flying is required at all, never mind whether it is dual or solo. It is simply a list of topics to include in difference training; I could legally meet the guidance as published by giving a series of ground briefings!
I’m not saying that a pilot can go solo anywhere because he is a licence holder; I’m saying that anyone (licence holder or not) can go solo as part of a difference training course if I decide it is part of the course that I am administering (it is well within my gift to decide the content of the course I offer). Further, because he is not training for the grant of a license or rating but simply completing difference training, as I said above, ANO Art 101 (licensed aerodrome) does not apply.
I see from previous threads that you have been in discussion on this very same subject some years ago and you obviously have not changed your mind since then. I am heartened to see however that there are others who agree with my point of view. I think we are unlikely to change each other’s minds so I’ll leave it there; thanks for an interesting debate!
Happy landings
3 Point