The UK CAA has issued an AIC, apparently without proper consultation or scrutiny
Here's another example:
AIC (W80/2010) is another confusing document issued by the CAA that contains information that is inaccurate and inconsistent with the ANO.
1.1 Since the 31 January 2008, pilots who have valid Single Engine Piston (SEP) class ratings in their UK National or UK-issued JAR-FCL licences have been licensed to fly SSEA, SLMG or microlight aeroplanes, subject to differences training as appropriate, as they fall within the scope of the SEP rating.
Schedule 3 defines the different classes of aircraft
(b) Power driven flying machines
(i) Aeroplane (Landplane)
(ii) Aeroplane (Seaplane)
(iii) Aeroplane (Amphibian)
(iv) Aeroplane (Self-launching Motor Glider)
(v) Powered Lift (Tilt Rotor)
Aircraft defined as SSEA; and Microlight aeroplanes are Aeroplanes (Land) and are covered by the SEP classification however; SLMGs are not Aeroplanes (Land), and do not fall within the scope of the SEP rating;they are defined as Aeroplanes (Self Launching Motor Glider) which is a separate Class, and is entered as such in Licences. You cannot do differences training between Classes!
Due to errors in earlier AICs some pilots found themselves flying "illegally" and in consequence the CAA were forced to issue an Exemption ORS4 No 674 allowing SLMGs to continue to be flown by pilots who did not hold a valid SLMG Class rating! This Exemption was withdrawn in June 2009 and pilots of SLMGs are now required to comply with Article 67. SLMGs are not covered by the SEP Class rating as this AIC implies! As Examiners we are required to enforce this on behalf of the CAA yet their own staff fail to grasp it!
The AIC further states:
A valid SEP rating in this context means that there is a valid Certificate of Revalidation for the SEP class rating and a valid JAR-FCL Medical Certificate in the pilot's licence.
No it does not! There is no correlation between a medical certificate and an aircraft class rating! Where does this bunk come from?
It then goes on to say:
An SEP rating cannot be revalidated or renewed, ............................ unless the applicant/holder has a valid JAA Class 1 or 2 Medical Certificate.
There is absolutely nothing in the ANO, JAR-FCL; or Part FCL to prevent an examiner renewing or revalidating a SEP Class rating without a medical certificate!
If this is meant to be a change in the Law, applied without consultation; on what safety grounds can this be justified? Why confine it to SEP ratings, what about other Classes TMG, MEP, SLMG etc?
Yet another example of chaos and confusion!