there has been great surprise expressed by some that large numbers of UK pilots still have national licences,
Really, one of the fundamental principles of JAR-FCL was that all such licences should remain valid for the lifetime of the holder. The CAA spent a great deal of time briefing the industry between 1997-99 and emphasised that point. JAR-FCL 1.005 states:
Licences and ratings,
authorisations, approvals or medical
certificates issued in accordance with the
national regulations of JAA Member States
before 1 July 1999 or issued in accordance
with paragraph (1) above, shall continue to be
valid with the same privileges, ratings and
limitations, if any, provided that after
1 January 2000 all requirements for
revalidation or renewal of such licences or
ratings, authorisations, approvals or medical
certificates shall be in accordance with the
requirements of JAR–FCL
the view has been expressed that any problems those individuals have now are effectively of their own making for not embracing the JAA system.
What utter tripe! Some people have a very short memory; or perhaps they weren't around at the time. There was never any intent that people should convert, if not necessarey, or embrace the JAA system especially as JAA licences have less privileges than a National licence. It doesn't take the Brain of Britain to work that one out! The French have never embraced the JAA PPL!
I have certainly written to my MEP and she has indicated considerable concern in a number of quarters. Don't be fobbed off.
The great shame about the theoretical exams is that they are of such poor quality that they are barely worth the paper they are written on. The latest EASA ones are even worse. The UK National ones were of a higher standard.