Hi RVDT
I totally agree with 9A that in our now level playing field, some nations are more level than others, I just wasn't sure whether he was saying the mandatory requirement was due to national or European legislation.
I think most of us were, at least in some way, hopeful that introduction of EASA would introduce a more level playing field and allow us access to an overseeing agency that would control the individual foibles of various national authorities; however, we have ended up with exactly the same variations between counties' understanding of the rules, all tied up with another layer of bureaucracy!
Apologies for the thread drift.
TeeS