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Genghis the Engineer
11th Oct 2011, 12:12
I've just been looking up some stuff in the new EASA FCL regulations here (http://www.easa.eu.int/agency-measures/docs/opinions/2010/04/Draft%20Commission%20Regulation%20on%20personnel%20licensing %20(LW).pdf) and found the following, which I thought was worthy of mention:

Article 5
Flight test pilots
1. Without prejudice to Article 4, pilots that at the date of entry into force of this
Regulation have been conducting category 1 and 2 flight tests as defined in Part-21,
or have been providing instruction for flight test pilots, shall have their national flight
test qualifications converted into Part-FCL flight test ratings and, if applicable, flight
test instructor certificates by the competent authority of the Member State that issued
the national flight test qualifications.
2. This conversion shall be made in accordance with the principles of a conversion
report that shall follow the requirements of Article 4(4) and (5), by the date of
applicability of the related provisions of Part-FCL, in accordance with Article 10.

SUBPART H
CLASS AND TYPE RATINGS
SECTION 1
Common requirements
FCL.700 Circumstances in which class or type ratings are required
(a) Except in the case of the LAPL, SPL and BPL, holders of a pilot licence shall not act in
any capacity as pilots of an aircraft unless they have a valid and appropriate class or
type rating, except when undergoing skill tests, or proficiency checks for renewal of
class or type ratings, or receiving flight instruction.
(b) Notwithstanding (a), in the case of flights related to the introduction or modification of
aircraft types, pilots may hold a special certificate given by the competent authority,
authorising them to perform the flights. This authorisation shall have its validity limited
to the specific flights.
(c) Without prejudice to (a) and (b), in the case of flights related to the introduction or
modification of aircraft types conducted by design or production organisations within
the scope of their privileges, as well as instruction flights for the issue of a flight test
rating, when the requirements of this Subpart may not be complied with, pilots may hold
a flight test rating issued in accordance with FCL.820.

FCL.820 Flight test rating
(a) Holders of a pilot licence for aeroplanes or helicopters shall only act as PIC in category
1 or 2 flight tests, as defined in Part-21, when they hold a flight test rating.
(b) The obligation to hold a flight test rating established in (a) shall only apply to flight tests
conducted on:
(1) helicopters certificated or to be certificated in accordance with the standards of
CS-27 or CS-29 or equivalent airworthiness codes; or
(2) aeroplanes certificated or to be certificated in accordance with:
(i) the standards of CS-25 or equivalent airworthiness codes; or
(ii) the standards of CS-23 or equivalent airworthiness codes, except for
aeroplanes with an maximum take-off mass of less than 2 000 kg.
(c) The privileges of the holder of a flight test rating are to, within the relevant aircraft
category:
(1) in the case of a category 1 flight test rating, conduct all categories of flight tests, as
defined in Part-21, either as PIC or co-pilot;
(2) in the case of a category 2 flight test rating:
(i) conduct category 1 flight tests, as defined in Part-21:
- as a co-pilot; or
- as PIC, in the case of aeroplanes referred to in (b)(2)(ii), except for
those within the commuter category or having a design diving speed
above 0.6 mach or a maximum ceiling above 25 000 feet;
(ii) conduct all other categories of flight tests, as defined in Part-21, either as PIC
or co-pilot;
(3) in addition, for both category 1 or 2 flight test ratings, to conduct flights
specifically related to the activity of design and production organisations, within
the scope of their privileges, when the requirements of Subpart H may not be
complied with.
(d) Applicants for the first issue of a flight test rating shall:
(1) hold at least a CPL and an IR in the appropriate aircraft category;
(2) have completed at least 1000 hours of flight time in the appropriate aircraft
category, of which at least 400 hours as PIC;
(3) have completed a training course at an ATO appropriate to the intended aircraft
and category of flights. The training shall cover at least the following subjects:
— Performance;
— Stability and control/Handling qualities;
— Systems;
— Test management;
— Risk/Safety management.
(e) The privileges of holders of a flight test rating may be extended to another category of
flight test and another category of aircraft when they have completed an additional
course of training at an ATO.

SECTION 11
Specific requirements for the flight test instructor - FTI
FCL.905.FTI FTI - Privileges and conditions
(a) The privileges of a flight test instructor (FTI) are to instruct, within the appropriate
aircraft category, for:
(1) the issue of category 1 or 2 flight test ratings, provided he/she holds the relevant
category of flight test rating;
(2) the issue of an FTI certificate, within the relevant category of flight test rating,
provided that the instructor has at least 2 years of experience instructing for the
issue of flight test ratings.
(b) The privileges of an FTI holding a category 1 flight test rating include the provision of
flight instruction also in relation to category 2 flight test ratings.
FCL.915.FTI FTI - Prerequisites
An applicant for an FTI certificate shall:
(a) hold a flight test rating issued in accordance with FCL.820;
(b) have completed at least 200 hours of category 1 or 2 flight tests.
FCL.930.FTI FTI - Training course
(a) The training course for the FTI shall include, at least:
(1) 25 hours of teaching and learning;
(2) 10 hours of technical training, including revision of technical knowledge, the
preparation of lesson plans and the development of classroom/simulator
instructional skills;
(3) 5 hours of practical flight instruction under the supervision of an FTI qualified in
accordance with FCL.905.FTI (b). These hours of flight instruction shall include
the assessment of the applicant’s competence as described in FCL.920.
(b) Crediting
(1) Applicants holding or having held an instructor certificate shall be fully credited
towards the requirement of (a)(1).
(2) In addition, applicants holding or having held an FI or TRI certificate in the
relevant aircraft category shall be fully credited towards the requirements of (a)(2).
FCL.940.FTI FTI - Revalidation and renewal
(a) Revalidation. For revalidation of an FTI certificate, the applicant shall, within the
validity period of the FTI certificate, fulfil 1 of the following requirements:
(1) complete at least:
(i) 50 hours of flight tests, of which at least 15 hours shall be within the 12
months preceding the expiry date of the FTI certificate; and
(ii) 5 hours of flight test flight instruction within the 12 months preceding the
expiry date of the FTI certificate;
or
EN 80 EN
(2) receive refresher training as an FTI at an ATO. The refresher training shall be
based on the practical flight instruction element of the FTI training course, in
accordance with FCL.930.FTI (a)(3), and include at least 1 instruction flight under
the supervision of an FTI qualified in accordance with FCL.905.FTI (b).
(b) Renewal. If the FTI certificate has lapsed, the applicant shall receive refresher
training as an FTI at an ATO. The refresher training shall comply at least with the
requirements of FCL.930.FTI (a)(3).

FCL.940.FTI FTI - Revalidation and renewal
(a) Revalidation. For revalidation of an FTI certificate, the applicant shall, within the
validity period of the FTI certificate, fulfil 1 of the following requirements:
(1) complete at least:
(i) 50 hours of flight tests, of which at least 15 hours shall be within the 12
months preceding the expiry date of the FTI certificate; and
(ii) 5 hours of flight test flight instruction within the 12 months preceding the
expiry date of the FTI certificate;
or
(2) receive refresher training as an FTI at an ATO. The refresher training shall be
based on the practical flight instruction element of the FTI training course, in
accordance with FCL.930.FTI (a)(3), and include at least 1 instruction flight under
the supervision of an FTI qualified in accordance with FCL.905.FTI (b).
(b) Renewal. If the FTI certificate has lapsed, the applicant shall receive refresher
training as an FTI at an ATO. The refresher training shall comply at least with the
requirements of FCL.930.FTI (a)(3).

Nothing about FTEs at-least, but this doesn't look likely to impress everybody. I suspect a lot of the issues may then rest on the definition of "aircraft category"?

G

BillieBob
11th Oct 2011, 16:06
From FCL.010:

‘Category of aircraft’ means a categorisation of aircraft according to specified basic characteristics, for example aeroplane, powered-lift, helicopter, airship, sailplane, free balloon.

212man
12th Oct 2011, 05:08
GTE,
there's some more about FTEs here:

http://easa.europa.eu/rulemaking/docs/npa/2008/NPA%202008-20.pdf

Interestingly, I think the agency's position has changed insofar as they originally intended to require a new rating for category 3 and 4 flight tests (production test flying and airworthiness flight checks) but now settle for company approvals.

Gadget freak
30th Nov 2011, 10:04
Does anyone know what the status is of the EASA proposal or the timescales for any further developments? There is no CRD on the EASA website, has it all died a death?

Genghis the Engineer
30th Nov 2011, 10:14
It all seems to be law from next year.

FCL.820 Flight test rating

(a) Holders of a pilot licence for aeroplanes or helicopters shall only act as PIC in category 1 or 2 flight tests, as defined in Part-21, when they hold a flight test rating.

(b) The obligation to hold a flight test rating established in (a) shall only apply to flight tests conducted on:

(1) helicopters certificated or to be certificated in accordance with the standards of CS-27 or CS-29 or equivalent airworthiness codes; or

(2) aeroplanes certificated or to be certificated in accordance with:

(i) the standards of CS-25 or equivalent airworthiness codes; or

(ii) the standards of CS-23 or equivalent airworthiness codes, except for aeroplanes with an maximum take-off mass of less than 2 000 kg.EN L 311/44 Official Journal of the European Union 25.11.2011

(c) The privileges of the holder of a flight test rating are to, within the relevant aircraft category:
(1) in the case of a category 1 flight test rating, conduct all categories of flight tests, as defined in Part-21, either as PIC or co-pilot;
(2) in the case of a category 2 flight test rating:
(i) conduct category 1 flight tests, as defined in Part-21:
— as a co-pilot, or
— as PIC, in the case of aeroplanes referred to in (b)(2)(ii), except for those within the commuter category or having a design diving speed above 0,6 mach or a maximum ceiling above 25 000 feet;
(ii) conduct all other categories of flight tests, as defined in Part-21, either as PIC or co-pilot;
(3) in addition, for both category 1 or 2 flight test ratings, to conduct flights specifically related to the activity of design and production organisations, within the scope of their privileges, when the requirements of Subpart H may not be complied with.
(d) Applicants for the first issue of a flight test rating shall:
(1) hold at least a CPL and an IR in the appropriate aircraft category;
(2) have completed at least 1 000 hours of flight time in the appropriate aircraft category, of which at least 400 hours as PIC;
(3) have completed a training course at an ATO appropriate to the intended aircraft and category of flights. The training shall cover at least the following subjects:
— Performance,
— Stability and control/Handling qualities,
— Systems,
— Test management,
— Risk/Safety management.
(e) The privileges of holders of a flight test rating may be extended to another category of flight test and another category of aircraft when they have completed an additional course of training at an ATO.

What I can't see in this latest version however is the heavily prescriptive contents for an FT rating that existed previously, but they may be lurking somewhere and I've missed them. The minimum course contents seem sensible, and presumably there's scope there to tailor any given course to specific job requirements.

On the other hand, the 1000hrs + IR are a bit severe, and I can see that mucking up quite a few people. Just for example, a good helicopter TP with a rotary background, could go off and do an ATPL(A), pick up another hundred hours on medium twins, but is then 800 hours short of being able to legally test fly, a new medium twin - whilst he should be perfectly capable of doing the job.

I also can't see why the requirement for an IR: relatively little test flying is done in IMC, and much may not require testing of navigation instruments - so why require this for all test flying I don't know. I suppose given that the TP rating will only be required above 2000kg and hardly anybody without an IR is likely to be flying anything over 2000kg, this may well be a non-issue, but still seems a little odd.

However, it would appear to be what we now have to work with from next year.

The next question is where are the ATOs that have competence in civil aircraft testing? (And are affordable to the civil community!) Will NTPS get the required approvals? Can they, being outside of Euroland?

G

Gadget freak
30th Nov 2011, 11:28
What about Flight Test Engineers? There was quite a bit of detail in the NPA. Is this still being worked on?

Genghis the Engineer
30th Nov 2011, 11:40
It seems to have been binned for now - SFTE has been quiet on the subject, and there's no reference in the new legislation.

I think that it may have been killed off, not because it was daft (which arguably it was) but because EASA couldn't work out what licence to attach FTE as a rating to.

G