There is an awful lot of hot air being generated on this subject, whereas the focus should be on the fact that EASA are doing what the Commission told them not to do, which is reinvent the wheel.
Just to be clear, it is perfectly legal for a state to limit the privileges of a third part licence held by its own nationals. That is in the Treaty. Likewise, it is perfectly legal to apply EU/EASA rules to third country operators established in the EU. Again, I don't think there is anything novel about this. It happens already.
The current PART FCL do not limit the use of third country licences by nationals of the EU flying non EU aircraft, though such rules may appear. These rules are not yet law and there is a need for everyone to put the case as strongly as possible through their MEPs and directly. They impose unnecessary regulation and cost on an industry worth EURO millions to the economy of the EU at a time when growth is faltering. There is no demonstrable benefit from some of the changes, such as the medical requirements. The rules seem to effectively close the door on anyone from a non EU state wishing to visit Europe and fly whilst they are here, which puts them in opposition to almost every other state in the world, which has a temporary validation or conversion process in place.
Last edited by Justiciar; 26th Sep 2010 at 10:28.