CAA ACCREDITATION ANNOUNCED!!!

[BEagle]

Well, people, you've waited a long time for this, but at long last the CAA accreditation regulations have been announced!! Go to www.tgda.gov.uk/ComSet/Comfs.htm (http://www.tgda.gov.uk/ComSet/Comfs.htm) for all the gen; you'll need adobe Acrobat to view it though!

Thanks, Al - and to Fergus and the rest of the guys at caa.srg who've made this happen!!

[Flatus Veteranus]

All this yearning to "fly civvy" is amazing. According to the socio-economic classifications to be used in the forthcoming census, you will be demoted from Class 1.1 (Army/Navy/RAF Officer) to 1.2 (Airline Pilot). We up here will be looking down on you down there! Good Luck.

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presto digitate

[BEagle]

Not me, Geriatric Gale!! I just hope that these accreditation regulations will keep some people in the mob just that little bit longer until they've earned generous accreditation rights rather than legging it to the lager-lout toting people-tube world after a mere couple of tours.

[Ivor Fynn]

Beags, me old china,
It will take the FJ fraternity a tad longer than a couple of tours to achieve the required hours. At the rate most of us are flying at least ten years.

KTTLTF

[Captain Widebody]

Congrats to all who set it up - seems to be a workable and realistic system. This combined with link-up, shows that there are some guys further up the chain who really are doing their best to look after the boys. So a big tick for morale in this sense (though I know many FJ mates who will easily be able to contain their enthusiam).

However, as a retention measure per-se, I can't see it making a huge difference.
There are many, who despite their committed service (Ivor et al, plus many others, I am sure) will fall outside the accreditation fence. So let's not forget that the even-more-generous gratuity for leaving the mob at your exit date still buys the JAR ATPL exams with change for an IR, some resettlement costs, mortgage lump sum repayment, two pints of lager and a packet of crisps.

Dont get me wrong, I am all for it, and respect the work that has been done. But the ATPL is not an unattainable or priceless commodity for most service pilots. Therefore, the biggest boost for pilot retention through accreditation will be what it signifies in principle, not what it physically offers.

Sure, this is no free lunch, and neither would any of us want it to be. The principle of "no free lunches" works both ways. And I know my lunches.

Now then, where's me logbook??

[This message has been edited by Captain Widebody (edited 17 March 2001).]

[BEagle]

Ivor - the whole retention concept is that you'll only be entitled to the full accreditation once you've been in long enough to have earned it! What I've always warned people is that they would have to give some years of service first. Those who thought that having all their flying training paid for and then doing a mere couple of tours in return would be enough are indeed in for a disappointment. Yes - give the mob 10 years and then leave with your licence if you wish. Seems reasonable enough; this is the real world after all!

By the way - Air Engineers should note that similar accreditation proposals are being worked on for them - it's just that JAR-FCL 4 came out a long time after JAR-FCL 1 (the basis upon which the pilot accreditation is based).

[This message has been edited by BEagle (edited 18 March 2001).]

[Hofmeister]

Congrtas to Beagle et al on finally securing a sensible approach to recognising the experience of the Service ME pilots. However, with the reduction in civilian training requirements for ME QSPs, surely there should now be a redistribution of the Linkup funds. It is hardly an equitable allocation, if all QSPs now receive the same amount - perhaps ME pilots should get an abated amount. Harsh, but fair!!!!

[DP Harvey]

Beagle, thanks for the note to the engs about JAR FCL 4. I know 2 members of the working group and I trust that they will look after the interests of the RAF engs.

[BEagle]

Hofmeister - on the face of it a 'selective' approach to Link-Up seems entirely fair. But there could perhaps be so many 'shades of grey' that such a proposal would be unworkable?

I claim no praise for the work which was done - that was down to careful staffing at Innsworth. Maybe I just started the ball rolling? Don't know - it's the result which matters!!

[Onya Backbitch]

Beagle old chum, any idea of the time frame for the announcement of accreditation for us rotary chaps?

I dont expect a date time group but a rough idea would be nice.

[Adastral]

BEagle

Speaking as a FJ mate, I am delighted with the package. Finally, someone has got off their backsides and brokered a good deal for the drivers! It may take a few more years for us to pick up the hours than the ME boys but this is much better than the 'nothing' we were entitled to before!

Any details on the 'bridging package' for FJ types? When will this be up and running?

Anyway, whatever part you had to play - thanks a huge amount!

[Dan Winterland]

As usual, just missed it. Bugg#r!

I had a conversation with someone in the know ref Link-Up funds, and in his humble opinion, the pot will stay the same but there will be some re-distribution of the funds to those who need them. But the way I understand it, the FJ mate with 2000 hrs will need the approved type training leading to the skills test and the multi pilot IRT (possibly some or all combined, and MCC should be inclusive). Add to this the cost of the medical and the exams and license issue, the total may not be much more than ten grand anyway.

[BEagle]

Adders - thanks, mate, but the credit goes to the chums at TGDA Binnsworth.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that the Military Bridging Package will be available from specialists such as Alex Whittingham at Bristol Flight Centre pretty soon and that MEP Class Rating training, the CPL Skills Test and Single Pilot IR will probably also be available at Bristol. There is no way that you will qualify for an ATPL without 500 hours multi-pilot time, so you're probably best advised to go down the CPL/IR with frozen ATPL theory credit route. You will then qualify for MCC, multi-pilot IR etc during your type conversion training for your first airline.

Dan W - tough. But enjoy your forthcoming job with Virgin Atlantic!