If the purpose of this was to take some of the pressure off examiners, then it has missed the mark
It was nothing to do with Examiners, it was to aid pilots who have difficulty in locating an Examiner in a timely manner (there being more Instructors than Examiners). It is still a 'relaxation' of the rules - even if this new, additional, method of Revalidation does not go as far as you would like.
This was introduced as a result of much work behind the scenes by the LAA to re-introduce authorisation for CAA Revalidation Examiners to sign EASA licences following withdrawal of these privileges at the introduction of EASA in September 2012. The LAA pursued this primarily to assist those pilots who might have difficulty locating an EASA Flight Examiner following completion of their training flight. A number of routes were explored with the CAA, where this was found to be the most satisfactory solution.
CAP 804 now includes some details of FCL.945 privileges under Section 4 Part J, Subpart 1 Page 6. It is clear that the guidance provided to those who have been issued with FCL.945 privileges is inadequate.
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