EASA CPL

[Esperanza]

EASA CPL
I've held a CPL for the past nineteen years. My current licence is due to expire in few days time. I applied to FCL for an EASA CPL seven weeks ago. I've since emailed them twice to check on my application's progress (no replies received), and spoken to them over the phone. Today I've spoken to them again, and been told that my application will hopefully be looked at this week. I've pointed out that without the licence I soon won't be able to go to work, earn a living, etc. I was told that if they don't manage to get a licence out to me then I will indeed not be able to fly. I got the impression that they didn't find this overly unreasonable. I'm guessing that I may not be the only person currently experiencing this type of problem. My boss has written to FCL today. I don't know what else I can do...???

[misterbonkers]

Even though you've posted it I've been told by PLD that you can go down to the open counter service (get there EARLY!) and it will be done same day.

[S-Works]

Has the same problem recently. Ended up grounded for two weeks....

[Dan the weegie]

and yet we continue to pay more and more for a rapidly decreasing quality of service. We have no-one to go to in cases like this.

[mad_jock]

Get onto your MP and get him/her to write to the head of the CAA or ask a question in the commons.

That method has been quite effective in the past.

[Esperanza]

Thank you all for your responses. I could drive down from the Derby area, but I'm not sure that it would do me a lot of good. The whole situation is ridiculous. I guess that I'll just have to wait and see what happens. I don't know what I'll do if it hasn't appeared by the weekend. I'm a paid by the hour instructor who was already stuggling to pay the bills. This could wipe out any savings that I still have. It's all rather stressful. I guess that I could write to my MP. It's worth a go. I hate to think how long newly qualified pilots are going to have to wait for their licences.
:sad:

[mad_jock]

MP's are actually pretty good at cutting through the red tape if the cause tickles either there sense of humour or they know that they are on easy ground for causing grief while looking good.

7 weeks is taking the piss.

[r1flyguy35]

I submitted my application for my UK ATPL personally on September 12th at Gatwick, they even have my log books,
Emailed several times no response, still not received a thing from them!!!!!

Campaign Against Aviation :ugh:

[Treadstone1]

I spoke to them this morning regarding the same problem.

I was told that they are running late..... The time scale they are trying to keep to is 30 days from taking delivery to posting licenses back out....

Running late, by how long i asked???

Not sure came the reply......:ugh:

[SammySu]

I'm also waiting for an EASA licence and have had no feedback from FCL on how much longer it might take.
As an aside I have also had a written request for confirmation of a policy matter with regards to a Part FCL IR cross crediting query, lodged and resubmitted 4 times with Gatwick since June. All acknowledged as received. One reply saying we will reply with an answer when we can and 3 with no response at all.
The service from the CAA is frankly appalling at the moment which concerns me as we move to implementation of EASA OR's and hence will require even more advice from them. The FOIs seem similarly adrift.

[Esperanza]

The above isn't filling me with confidence. To add insult to injury I'm going to be off work in a couple of weeks time following a hernia operation. I'll be on Statutory Sick Pay. The way that things are going I'm not going to be able to pay next month's bills. I have my fingers crossed that somebody will be nice to me at the CAA. Otherwise Christmas is going to be cancelled this year. Not ideal seeing as I have a family to support.
I know that there's no point in getting cross with the people who work at FCL, but I'm seriously unimpressed with the situation. :sad:

[r1flyguy35]

Does anyone know who to 'complain' to in regards to the CAA's handling of licensing ????

Who heads up EASA???

A quick search on a search engine keeps referring me back to the CAA and they are useless to get a response from if you get one at all.

[slr737]

Am in the same trouble, sent everything around 20th september but still nothing. Just about 2 weeks ago, they debited my credit card.

It's unbelievable! People have to work with their license!

[Whopity]

You could always try a quick letter to Dame Deirdre (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deirdre_Hutton) the Quango Queen (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/6575541/Dame-Deirdre-Hutton-queen-of-the-quangos.html) who is the Chairman or Andrew Haines (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Boss-Great-Western-quits/story-11234468-detail/story.html) the Chief Executive who clearly have their fingers on the pulse!

[NilDesperandum]

Wow, shocking tales of slowness here ! I'd suggest where possible driving / taking the train and turning up at the counter. I'd hope you'd get an appropriate level of sympathy face to face.

Generally speaking I've found the counter service to be pretty good in the past.

[Esperanza]

I've heard good things about the counter staff, but I can't bring myself to drive 360 miles on my day off to beg for a piece of paper.

[Lokki]

Given the nature and urgency, you may not have a choice..

[r1flyguy35]

How about a 6000 mile drive :ooh:

I work out in Asia, was in the UK for the application, so not as easy to pop to the counter :sad:

[Lokki]

Uh no.. Your screwed

[Esperanza]

The postman has walked straight past our house. So no licence today. Last chance tomorrow, and then to all intents and purposes I'm unemployed for the first time in a very long time.

[Esperanza]

No licence...so I guess that I can't fly tomorrow. SEP/FI/IMC/GR Examiner all current, but no licence to hold them in. I'll still be going to work to see my students, offer them some ground school, etc. But basically I'm completely screwed. Thanks FCL...I really needed this hassle. :ugh:

[mad_jock]

There is other threads on the board about this sort of thing.

TRI/TRE are also waiting for licenses I can see a quite a large implosion coming with all this.

[Esperanza]

Well I now have an EASA CPL. The ratings are all there, and only one "valid until" date appears to be wrong. I also now have Level 6 English...I'm so proud, all of those years of practice have paid off. No cover to put it in as they have run out, but they will send one when they can. I have two receipts. One for me and one for a Mr S Martin. Don't worry Mr Martin, there are no card details shown, and I'll post you your receipt tomorrow.