Hi Pace,
Someone's telling you rubbish! The CAA have no say in the matter, it's entirely up to the ATO to determine what they think is appropriate! Here is an extract from the AMC for Part FCL ...
AMC1 FCL.740(b)(1) Validity and renewal of class and type ratings
RENEWAL OF CLASS AND TYPE RATINGS: REFRESHER TRAINING
(a) Paragraph (b)(1) of FCL.740 determines that if a class or type rating has
lapsed, the applicant shall take refresher training at an ATO. The
objective of the training is to reach the level of proficiency necessary to
safely operate the relevant type or class of aircraft. The amount of
refresher training needed should be determined on a case-by-case basis
by the ATO, taking into account the following factors:
(1) the experience of the applicant. To determine this, the ATO should
evaluate the pilot’s log book, and, if necessary, conduct a test in an
FSTD;
(2) the complexity of the aircraft;
(3) the amount of time lapsed since the expiry of the validity period of
the rating. The amount of training needed to reach the desired level
of proficiency should increase with the time lapsed. In some cases,
after evaluating the pilot, and when the time lapsed is very limited
(less than 3 months), the ATO may even determine that no further
refresher training is necessary. When determining the needs of the
pilot, the following items can be taken into consideration:
(i) expiry shorter than 3 months: no supplementary requirements;
(ii) expiry longer than 3 months but shorter than 1 year: a minimum
of two training sessions;
(iii) expiry longer than 1 year but shorter than 3 years: a minimum
of three training sessions in which the most important
malfunctions in the available systems are covered;
(iv) expiry longer than 3 years: the applicant should again undergo
the training required for the initial issue of the rating or, in case
of helicopter, the training required for the ‘additional type issue’,
according to other valid ratings held.
(b) Once the ATO has determined the needs of the applicant, it should
develop an individual training programme that should be based on the
initial training for the issue of the rating and focus on the aspects where
the applicant has shown the greatest needs.
(c) After successful completion of the training, the ATO should give a
certificate, or other documental evidence that the training has been
successfully achieved to the applicant, to be submitted to the competent
authority when applying for the renewal. The certificate or documental
evidence needs to contain a description of the training programme.
Key phrases are ...
The amount of refresher training needed should be determined on a case-by-case basis
by the ATO
taking into account the following factors:
(1) the experience of the applicant. To determine this, the ATO should evaluate the pilot’s log book, and, if necessary, conduct a test in an FSTD;
(2) the complexity of the aircraft;
the following items can be taken into consideration
Note it says
can, not "are to be"
For a pilot with 100 hours total and no flying at all in the last three years there would need to be a significant amount of training. For a pilot with 5,000 hours and in current flying practice on other aeroplanes the requirement would be much less.
If a professional and current pilot comes to my ATO to re-new his SEP we will go flying and I will assess his level of skill and knowledge. I may then feel some additional training and practice is appropriate or I may be satisfied after the assessment to put him forward for the Check.
All very simple, logical and nothing whatsoever to do with the CAA, don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
Happy landings (all three of them!!).
3 Point