CAA Licence

[CharlieLimaX-Ray]

In early 1991, the then CAA issued new flight crew licence that looked liked a credit card.

I think Dick Smith was chairman at the time and was behind the new licence type. It seemed like a very good idea, replacing the paper licence that was sent to the CAA every time you did a renewal, medical or got an endorsement, but probably a little advanced for the technology of the time!

Anyone remember why it was withdrawn and replaced with the paper licence?

Would it work better these days with improved chip technology?

[cogwheel]

Was a great idea.... Still have mine:ok:

I think the ICAO BS got involved??:ugh::ugh:

[LeadSled]

Anyone remember why it was withdrawn and replaced with the paper licence?CLX,
Because the then "new" DAS thought it looked too much like an FAA licence, and not a "proper" license, like the UK one.

The one with which he was first issued as a graduate of the BOAC/BEA college at Hamble (he was a pom), so we got license that was a virtual duplicate of the UK CAA license, to the degree that I could put it in my old UK CAA CPL licence cover.

Needless to say, the "excuse" was that the credit card licence did not "comply with ICAO", in reality the UK interpretation of ICAO, which meant that, in his/their dopey opinion, about 600,000+ US licence holder did not have a valid ICAO licence.

Strange, but the rest of the world didn't have a problem with the FAA licence, including FAA licence holders flying CAA/CASA unmolested into/out of/within Australia.

Hard to believe, but the USA has completely ignored the Australian "legal opinion".

My current FAA licence is even more like a credit card than the old Australian version --- and has never been questioned when I have been flying a N- aircraft in, say, EASAland.

My old Australian credit card licence was never questioned anywhere, including several ramp checks on VH- aircraft in USA.

Just another example of the anal fixation with the irrelevant/ inconsequential in the Aviation Galapagos that is Australia, as slabs of the aviation community disappear down the gurgler.

Tootle pip!!

[On Track]

At the last count I had five Australian licences. Three of the book type (the latest being the Part 61 licence) and two of the credit card type.

In New Zealand they use the credit card type licence with a credit card type medical certificate. And the licence is all you need to fly into a secured airport.

[LeadSled]

On Track,
But what would the Kiwi's know about aviation ??? Or security??

How can you possibly do a regulation reform in only 3-4 years and expect it to work??

Amazing, but NZ licenses (pilot and engineer) are more widely accepted than a CASA equivalent, the rest of the world must be really screwed up to do this --- although CASA does say that the CASA Part 61 is an example that the "rest of the world" is champing at the bit to copy.

Apparently we are also about to lead the world with new rules for light aircraft maintenance, and EASA will copy them as a template --- so CASA says.

Aviation-wise, aren't we so luck to live in Australia.

Tootle pip!!