My initial understanding was that the training was done by JAR qualified instructors,
I assume you mean EASA qualified
If it was an EASA school then you are meant to request the records from the previous ATO. Lots of questions to be asked as previous students have made me have distrust students coming from this scenario
- Where are your records? - although previously under JAA and continues for must NAAs the ATO requests previous records directly from the previous ATO
- Where is the logbook stamp by the ATO?
- Is the overseas ATO EASA approved : FCL Organisations Approvals | EASA
If his story is true then you won't have any problems.
If they don't have a licence then Article 8 conversion doesn't apply - so then it is under Credits From Previous Training as defined in your ATO's training manual.
Given that even an Article 8 conversion required quite large amount of training - most of the time very little credit can be given unless you've got previous records from the EASA ATO.
My belief is that training by a ICAO (I.e FAA) flight instructor can be credited toward an EASA PPL, but I have been unable to find anything in CAP 804 that covers these circumstances. Can anyone point me in the correct direction?
I don't agree with the above. FCL.210.A doesn't have a reduction and I don't know of any AMC. The FARs have a regulation like that but no such thing under EASA that I've ever heard of or used.
My opinion - get the real story from the HT of the ATO he previously trained at. If not EASA, then I would follow the syllabus and hope they complete in less hours. Most don't though.