Clarification re medical
 

I am planning to return to flying after some years off (FAA commercial pilot previously), with the intention of taking the FI course.

First step is to re-validate my CAA PPL (issued 1992). I've been told by a FTO that I need a class 2 medical to do this, but the CAA 'Medical Requirements Table' seems to suggest that a self-declaration is fine as long as I only fly with LAPL privileges (fine by me for now, all I need is a C152 to make me happy).

Obviously I'll need a class 2 medical to convert to an EASA PPL next April and for the FI rating. But I can save a few quid if I can just go with the self-declaration for now.

Am I correct in assuming a self-declaration is all I need to get my old CAA PPL going again?

Indeed you can. CAP1441 says that with a pre JAA UK PPL(A) you can fly an EASA aircraft up until 7th April 2018 with a Medical Dec.
A point to bear in mind is that you have to have an EASA licence by 8th April and your licence cannot be converted after that date. The CAAs guidance is that you should convert the licence ASAP as there is no guarantee how long the process will take and I am sure a lot of people will be disappointed come 8th April.

This is amazing how an earth can it be safe to convert to an EASA licence and then from a point onwards its no longer safe?

Once the April deadline passes what would the process be then? Complete a full PPL course because none of your previous hours are recognized? Or would you get your UK ICAO PPL current by traing in say an EASA aircraft then do a skills test to get it current. Then sit a couple of written exams, make sure you have 100 hours PIC and then sit yet another skills test?

Are EASA trying to destroy the industry?

When I last tried to revalidate my EASA SEP the examiner wouldn't do it without a Class 2 medical being valid. He wouldn't even do it with a LAPL medical.

The examiner explained that an initial issue would not be possible on a self declaration so a neither would a revalidation. I never found any words to back this up but I guess it sounds reasonable.

CAP 1441 backs it up, for an EASA licence you do need an EASA medical certificate though you could still do a rating prof check without it you just couldn't exercise the privileges. For a national PPL (pre JAR) its different and CAP1441 makes it quite clear what medical is acceptable for its use. From the CAA Website:

Many thanks everyone, much appreciated.

A national licence may be converted at any time since Annex II to Part-FCL and associated Conversion Reports will remain in place after 08th April 2018. However, as things currently stand, the privileges which are being converted to an EASA equivalent must have been obtained prior to 08th April 2018.

ifitaint...

So if you hold a UK PPL (A) which valid for life, upon gaining an EASA PPL (A) can you retain the UK PPL (A)?

I ask this as I refused to give up my UK PPL (A) upon gaining my UK CPL (A) and UK ATPL (A) and the CAA really were not happy, but I insisted as at the time the PPL was a lifetime licence. The other oddity, at a later stage while holding two pilots licences the CAA told me that my FRTOL was only valid on one licence at a time. So if you fly rotary and fixed wing, you would need to keep swapping the FRTOL between licences.

My second question what does a person do if they can not meet the 8th April 2017 dealine, this could be that they can not fly or on a temporary basis or could not meet the medical exam requirements on a temporary basis, that would seem very unfair. Have the CAA or EASA thought this out?