Yes, but definitely a separate route. I think they'd like to get both the CBM-IR (with the third country conversion part) and the BASA with the FAA in place by April 2014, but it's touch and go on both
Hence why in the last summer meeting I had it on good authority that 2016 was a more likely date although for obvious reasons not official.
No one mentioned mutual acceptance but a more realistic and sensible conversion route between licences.
The ICAO IR to an EASA IR with just a flight test and oral examination is a major move from the previous 7 exams.
That would be opposed by flight training organisations while an ATP conversion where the pilot has already more than 1500 hrs from FAA ATP to EASA ATP would be of little interest to flight training organisations so should theoretically be a simpler conversion.
Yet employed pilots in Europe would cause a bigger headache for EASA on legal grounds than private pilots.
Lets wait and see but I would put money on a further implementation date to 2016
Also correct me if I am wrong but the legislation regarding 3 rd country licences is already in place 2014 was an EASA Option not a directive! Only 3 countries opted into that option yet no one has been charged yet?
Technically if the above is correct you are NOW just as uninsured flying over countries which have not opted into the 2014 extension on dual licences for 3 rd country aircraft as you would be after 2014 for the simple fact that flying into or over those countries you are NOW doing so without the required licences?