Instructor requirement for training flight (revalidation by experience)

[Zonkor]

I might be in a little pickle regarding my revalidation by experience and am Looking for some guidance by somebody experienced with the CAA ...

Before my UK CAA-issued EASA PPL (SEP) was to expire, I dutifully sent off the requested documents (CAA form SRG1119B, original logbook, certified copy of my license) to Gatwick for a revalidation by experience. (I don't live in the UK, so that's my only "simple" way of doing a revalidation by experience.)

A few weeks later (already after expiration date), I got an email requesting the license of the instructor that I did the 1h training flight with. I'm told (yet to be confirmed) that the instructor might not have an EASA instructor license, but merely a French national instructor license.

Edit: I also have a still-valid TMP class rating with my PPL, if that's of any help in getting the SEP renewed.

As I smell trouble, I want to ask:

1. What's the requirement for the instructor giving the 1h training flight? Does she/he have to be an EASA instructor? (The instructor is with a French flight school that's well-known for mountain and glacier flying instruction.)

2. Can I fly while my license extension application is pending?

3. What if the CAA indeed won't accept my training flight, and my license indeed expired? How can I revalidate (renew?) it? Can I do it abroad, or do I have to go to the UK?

4. Is there a chance that the CAA grants an exception in such a case of hardship / pure formality? For instance, I could do the one-hour training flight with an EASA instructor asap (license only lapsed since a few days) and don't have to do the full-blown renewal?

Thanks a lot!

Michael

[Genghis the Engineer]

(1) Yes, they have to be an EASA instructor.

(2) If the licence and class rating are still in date - yes you can. If they aren't, no you can't.

(3) You'll need to fly training as required, then a proficiency check with an EASA examiner. I don't *believe* that you have to come to the UK for that.

(4) Only CAA can formally answer this question, but normally if it's lapsed, it's lapsed. Flight with an instructor only for now. I can't see them being sympathetic - it was up to you to fly with an EASA instructor in that year, and to check that their qualifications were correct. I don't think that you'll find them very helpful.

G

[S-Works]

The CAA will not grant an exemption. Its the responsibility of the candidate that they understand their own licence its revalidation requirements. This includes the correct selection of an Instructor.

If its expired its expired and you will need to meet the requirements to renew it. Less than 3 months expired it will be no required training plus an LPC. Any EASA examiner can do the LPC for you.

If you rating has expired you can't fly.

[MrAverage]

Doesn't the non UK Examiner have to go through the UK "approval" process?

[S-Works]

Not anymore. They have to refer to the latest version of the Examiner differences document and enter the version number onto the paperwork to confirm they have self briefed.

[ifitaintboeing]

Doesn't the non UK Examiner have to go through the UK "approval" process?

The non-UK examiner must comply with the notified designation process when intending to conduct a Skill Test or Proficiency Check for a UK licence holder in accordance with CAA Information Notice 2016-003 and UK CAA information contained in the EASA Examiner Differences document. For the required Proficiency Check above:

Non-UK examiners shall inform the UK CAA in advance of any proficiency check or assessment of competence by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. The e-mail shall be to the following format:
...

Non-UK examiners shall not conduct a proficiency check or assessment of competence until they have received an e-mail confirming that the CAA has accepted the pre-notification of the test.

http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/InformationNotice%202016003.pdf

ifitaint...