FAA to EASA conversion soon to be impossible? [Archive]

Curtis E Carr

18th Jan 2013, 22:38

From Article 8 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011:

2. Applicants for Part-FCL licences already holding at least an equivalent licence, rating or certificate issued in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention by a third country shall comply with all the requirements of Annex I to this Regulation, except that the requirements of course duration, number of lessons and specific training hours may be reduced.

From Annex III to the same Regulation:

B. CONVERSION OF LICENCES

1. A PPL/BPL/SPL, a CPL or ATPL licence issued in compliance with the requirements of Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention by a third country may be converted into a Part-FCL PPL/BPL/SPL with a single-pilot class or type rating by the competent authority of a Member State.

The pilot shall apply to the competent authority of the Member State where he/she resides or is established.

2. The holder of the licence shall comply with the following minimum requirements, for the relevant aircraft category:

(a) pass a written examination in Air Law and Human Performance;

(b) pass the PPL, BPL or SPL skill test, as relevant, in accordance with Part-FCL;

(c) fulfil the requirements for the issue of the relevant class or type rating, in accordance with Subpart H;

(d) hold at least a Class 2 medical certificate, issued in accordance with Part-Medical;

(e) demonstrate that he/she has acquired language proficiency in accordance with FCL.055;

(f) have completed at least 100 hours of flight time as a pilot.

Finally, from Subpart 2 to Part Q to Section 4 of CAP 804:

1.1 Conversion Requirements:

1.1.1 Course Credit Policy

In accordance with the provisions of Article 8 (2 & 3) of EU Regulation 1178/2011 applicants for Part-FCL licences already holding an equivalent licence, rating or certificate issued in accordance with Annex I of the Chicago Convention may be given credit towards meeting the requirements of Part-FCL. The credit given to the applicant shall be determined by the Member State on the basis of a recommendation from an Approved Training Organisation. The UK CAA is applying the following policy which may be utilised by an ATO conducting conversion training on ICAO licence holders for a Part-FCL IR(A) or(H) to be issued by the UKCAA without seeking prior approval from the Authority for each individual applicant.

These arrangements will provide a route to a UK CAA-issued Part-FCL IR(A) or (H) qualification for the following holders of a current and valid equivalent ICAO IR(A) or (H) as applicable, issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 1.

The holder of an ICAO IR(A) or (H) shall attend an Approved Training Organisation and complete an approved modular course of IR(A) or (H) flying training, as applicable. On the basis of assessment by the ATO the course is reduced, but not to less than the minimum requirements set out below, the determination of acceptability by the CAA as required by Article 8 may be assumed. If during the course the Head of Training determines that completion of the reduced course requirements set out in this part is unwarranted, the Head of Training may make a written recommendation for a further reduction, and L&TS will give the recommendation consideration.

Prerequisites:

Prior to commencing the flight training specified below for the IR (A) or (H) the applicant shall be the holder of a Part-FCL PPL(A), CPL(A), or Part-FCL PPL(H), CPL(H) (as applicable), either licence to include the privileges to fly by night, issued in accordance with Part-FCL. The applicant must hold a valid Class or Type rating or meets the requirements for the issue of the Class or Type rating for the aircraft used in the Skill test or Assessment of Competence.

Minimum course content without submission of a recommendation to the CAA.

1.2 ICAO IR(A) holder to Part-FCL IR(A)

1.2.1 Undertake Part-FCL IR(A) theoretical knowledge instruction as determined by the Head of Training of an approved training provider and pass all Part-FCL theoretical knowledge examinations at IR level. Applicants who wish to attempt the ATPL(A) examinations must undertake the full 650 hour course of approved theoretical knowledge instruction and pass all Part-FCL ATPL(A) examinations.

1.2.2 Complete a minimum of 15 hours instrument time under instruction including recommendation for test in accordance with the procedures approved at the ATO, of which 5 hours may be in a FNPT I or 10 hours in a FNPT II or Full Flight Simulator.

1.2.3 Pass the Part-FCL IR(A) Skill Test.