Originally Posted by
Pace
Does anyone know anything about the draft bilateral agreement which is technically ready? What does it involve? what are the sticking points that have held up its implementation?
My understanding is that the agreement allows for the mutual acceptance of each area's licences and certifications with no/minimal validation.
At least one sticking point appears to be the US having added the requirement to comply with US drug testing regulations to foreign repair stations and for twice yearly inspections. This was added by the US on the basis of 'Safety' but seems widely regarded as just a mechanism to increase the cost base of repair stations competing against US based/regulated repair stations.
Note - the above is my understanding from press summaries not from reading the source material.
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It is worth noting that the bilateral agreement will, if implemented, address the issue as it applies to FAA licence holders. However, the current draft of FCL restricts foreign visitors from flying in EASA land beyond a single visiting year in their lifetime (without getting and EASA licence). This is in the context where the UK validate any ICAO licence in G and the US renders valid (via the 61.75 process) any ICAO licence.
It would be amusing
if the process for visitors to EASA land to use their licences is - 1 - Get a 61.75 validation from the FAA, 2 - Use the bilateral agreement to obtain EASA licence from FAA licence.