CAA, CAP804, EASA 1178/2011 etc
Get the facts first I thought, then try and understand the subject. Re the title I will be a cogent as possible.
1)
EU regs 1178/2011,209/2012 are the "law" for EASA Part FCL, backed up with EASA AMC/GM. CAP 804 is a document produced by a subsidiary ARA, ie the CAA as a so called competent authority. At a recent airline EASA seminar,(another world), the EU/EASA documents were the prime reference material, not CAP 804. The AMC/GM appears to be similar to the JAR docs, ie explanatory info to Part FCL. It may be too soon to say this but we are in EASA Part FCL, just the "Sept. 17th" catch up to go. Any reference should be to the EU/EASA docs, and as we move forward to Part ORA for the ATO applications, we follow the Part ORA and present this to the CAA as is.When we communicate with the CAA, we should quote the above and forget CAP 804.
2)
Instead of downloading CAP 804, I had several printing quotes but found the TSO site gave best value and ordered a copy. TSO came back and said the CAA wern't allowing the TSO to print this as it expected to make several amendments before Sept. 17th! The link to TSO was on the CAA website!
3)
There doesn't appear to be an obvious amendment service to the EU/EASA docs. EASA tell me to "watch out for changes"! EG, AMC/GM FCL.125 defines a navigation leg time for the LAPL skill test (30min), PPL skill test, FCL.235 doesn't define the Nav distance or time.
4)
The CAA fires off yet more ORSs or INs when they find another glitch, hardly the mark of a competent authority. And when contacted by 'phone or e mail, they either refuse to answer or give misleading and contradictory advice. I have several e mails waiting for an answer, for specific and urgent queries, including one to the CFE re the testing, renewal/revalidation of ratings, without a relevant medical. I am told by the front desk that routine e mails are answered in 10 days, if it concerns EASA, at least 28 days and an EASA meeting is convened!
Last edited by pembroke; 27th June 2012 at 06:50.