I recently use the counter service to convert my UK CAA Lifetime PPL into an EASA PPL(A). My examiner had omitted to tick the English Language Proficiency box on the SRG1119 when I renewed my SEP rating a year ago. I didn't appreciate the significance of this at the time but when preparing my EASA conversion paperwork noted from one of the forums that CAA PPL holders would be grandfathered with Level 4 English.
All went well at the counter until they found no record of English language proficiency and said that it would not be possible to issue the EASA licence - the 'grandfather' rights expired in early 2012. After a short debate a staff examiner was found and we had a pleasant 10 min chat while we filled out the relevant form (I didn't note the SRG number sorry). £20 later, Level 6 English appeared on my record and the licence was issued.
If you have an examiner to hand then it's probably better to complete the paperwork in advance, but if not then it might be worth a call to SRG to see if it possible to arrange a test with one of theirs - I was not the only person he saw that day.
For interest, my long-lapsed IMC rating was recorded on under a note 'This page does not form part of the licence' as 'Ratings previously held by the holder' - IR(Restricted). I am told that on passing the IMC test it will be included as an IR(R) as part of a re-issued EASA licence.
Under 'Validity' the licence also contains the words 'Non-EASA aircraft - iaw and subject to the provisions of the UK ANO this licence is valid for aircraft registered in the UK for which the flight crew member is not required to hold a Part-FCL licence'. This appears to cover my Annex II aircraft, but I thought that was the reason I retained my CAA licence.
Regards,
(Whopity and others - thank you for your advice of a couple of years ago. I finally sorted it)
Last edited by Hollman; 5th October 2012 at 20:18.