CAA driving me nuts.
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From the little knowledge I have of collegues who have swapped from the Swedish CAA I would give the benifit of the doudt to Gatwick about who has been stalling the process.
Also as well as much as we moan about Gatwick the costs/ bullpoo of maintaining a Swedish license are 10x worse than a British one.
It isn't until you hear about some of the other CAA's that you realise that our own isn't as bad as we think.
Also as well as much as we moan about Gatwick the costs/ bullpoo of maintaining a Swedish license are 10x worse than a British one.
It isn't until you hear about some of the other CAA's that you realise that our own isn't as bad as we think.
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Some real scary biscuits in this thread! I'm doing my Skills test next week and all being well I hope to send them all my paperwork and a massive fee in exchange for the poo wallet. Of course, I will be sending all by registered post but how long is the lead time to get the license through on my end? No doubt there will be a variation in their target and the actual time but how much variance will there be between the two? (I feel that is a 'How long is a piece of string' question).
Also, other than Registered post, is there anything else I should consider? (I have the logbook backed up)
Cheers
Also, other than Registered post, is there anything else I should consider? (I have the logbook backed up)
Cheers
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In general it does work as they describe.
Occassional sods law works and a bit of paper goes missing.
They publish on the caa site what date of recieved paper work thay are working on so you can see whats happening.
Just photo copy everything and send it by reg post. The main reason for this is to stop them from denying that it ever arrived.
Occassional sods law works and a bit of paper goes missing.
They publish on the caa site what date of recieved paper work thay are working on so you can see whats happening.
Just photo copy everything and send it by reg post. The main reason for this is to stop them from denying that it ever arrived.
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Might I also add that whatever sparse communication between CAA and me has all been through emails. Only thing I've received via mail is the initial receipt of the fee paid and the cover letter, about 6 months ago. The rest has been emailed from a spam-looking FCLWEB address.
Now I love email, however, in cases of flight crew licensing like this I do think that backups should also be sent by post, as at no time have they ever confirmed that the email address they had to me was actually correct. So they rely heavily on the "who cares if he doesn't get it - he'll be contacting us as it's in his interest"-approach.
Mad Jock could be correct, that the delay was on the part of the Swedish side. That's entirely plausible as they're not the fastest bunch. But nevertheless, after the last email where they asked me to send in my Swedish license for the physical swap to the CAA one (if you come in, this takes just a couple of hours, apparently), which they got the 17th May, you'd think I'd have it by now. Even if they were really slow on the draw and sent it out a week later, that's still leaves all of last week for it to arrive.
My worry is just the cluelessness when you call up and quote your case number. It doesn't seem like anything gets logged down there. It was as if I was speaking to her for the first time and wanted to apply for a license exchange.
I'm sure it will all get sorted, it's just the time and money I have to spend driving to Gatwick and the down time I could be flying.
Now I love email, however, in cases of flight crew licensing like this I do think that backups should also be sent by post, as at no time have they ever confirmed that the email address they had to me was actually correct. So they rely heavily on the "who cares if he doesn't get it - he'll be contacting us as it's in his interest"-approach.
Mad Jock could be correct, that the delay was on the part of the Swedish side. That's entirely plausible as they're not the fastest bunch. But nevertheless, after the last email where they asked me to send in my Swedish license for the physical swap to the CAA one (if you come in, this takes just a couple of hours, apparently), which they got the 17th May, you'd think I'd have it by now. Even if they were really slow on the draw and sent it out a week later, that's still leaves all of last week for it to arrive.
My worry is just the cluelessness when you call up and quote your case number. It doesn't seem like anything gets logged down there. It was as if I was speaking to her for the first time and wanted to apply for a license exchange.
I'm sure it will all get sorted, it's just the time and money I have to spend driving to Gatwick and the down time I could be flying.
Last edited by AdamFrisch; 30th May 2010 at 11:45.
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Sorry to get out of line here, but my experience with the CAA has been fine.
To get my PPL i had to wait a few weeks as announced, but when i called they correctly informed me on when i could expect it.
Subsequent ratings (night, imc, mep) all similar stories. Also similar with releasing my details to the FAA.
I once wrote to the CAA regarding using the imc for flying airways (!). Initially they did not respond but after an email prompt i got my answer.
It's is true that a better tracking system could improve things and I am sure some people have bad experiences, problem with a forum is we only hear the bad stories.......
There is always room for improvement and especially with non-commercial organizations which don't seem to depend on their clients for survival, but at least my experience was not that bad...
To get my PPL i had to wait a few weeks as announced, but when i called they correctly informed me on when i could expect it.
Subsequent ratings (night, imc, mep) all similar stories. Also similar with releasing my details to the FAA.
I once wrote to the CAA regarding using the imc for flying airways (!). Initially they did not respond but after an email prompt i got my answer.
It's is true that a better tracking system could improve things and I am sure some people have bad experiences, problem with a forum is we only hear the bad stories.......
There is always room for improvement and especially with non-commercial organizations which don't seem to depend on their clients for survival, but at least my experience was not that bad...
Last edited by vanHorck; 30th May 2010 at 18:56. Reason: grammar....
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Personnel Licensing | Safety Regulation
If you look at the bottom of the page that tells you what date they are working on.
If you look at the bottom of the page that tells you what date they are working on.
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Driving you nuts - Me too!
Afternoon all.
Time for my input.
9th May - Passed skills test.
10th May - Posted all paperwork, passport, logbook etc.
12th May - Royal Mail confirmed package was delivered and signed for at the CAA (Safe to say the ten working days have
started).
17th May - Huge amount of money disappears from bank account (I assume this is a good sign, the CAA are getting on with it
just three working days after receipt of the application).
27th May - Received an email stating that the third page (declaration) of the Night Quanlification is missing. Within two
hours of receipt of the email I printed off the required page, signed it and faxed back to them. Ten minutes later I
followed the fax up with a phone call to ensure they had received it. The email stated that I would be looking at another
ten working days. Harsh, I thought, especially as I had responded so quickly and the mistake was a simple one. This occurs
eleven working days after they had received the original applciation.
3rd June - Telephoned the CAA for progress of my application. Was informed that the fax was received on the 27th May and
that I'd be looking at ten working days from that date. Harsh, I thought again, though five days had already elapsed. Only
a week to go, I thought. Went for just over an hour's flight in order to stay current that afternoon. Unfortunately I had
to make the flight alone, which wasn't exactly what I'd got in mind.
Today (11th June) - Nothing. Telephoned the CAA again for a progress check. Was informed, again, that the fax was received
on the 27th and linked to my application successfully (??!!! It was two hours after they emailed me!! How hard could that
be?). I was then given the usual 'Ten working days from the 27th'. Not realising, I gave a disheartened 'OK thanks' and
ended the call. IT WAS ELEVEN WORKING DAYS TODAY!! ON THE DAY OF THE PHONE CALL I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE YESTERDAY!!
Some investigation has become necessary. After a quick trawl around on here I found a thread 'CAA driving me nuts.' This
triggers a flood of worries. Am I going to be waiting months? I checked the above link and it shows that on Monday (7th
June) they were checking paperwork received on the 19th May. TEN DAY TURNAROUND??! Assuming they process a specific day's
applications each day, that would mean that today they're assessing applications from the 23rd June. This means that they'd
be looking at processing the applications from my day (Now the 27th May) next Thursday (17th June). This equates to a
staggering 15 days. 50% over quoted time. Plus a good few days in the post.
Unlucky for me, holiday coming up, passport needed. Another solo flight probably needed to stay confident. I don't agree
with the fob-offs on the telephone when it clearly contradicts both what has already happened and what it states on the CAA
website.
Anyway, apologies for long, drawn out description of the long, even more drawn out process. I understand I made a mistake,
fair enough. I do feel, however, that the money should not have been taken from my account until the licence was issued.
This, to me, is wrong. Supposing I get the licence next Monday (21st June), that means I'll have gone six weeks since the date of passing my skills
test!
Any views/opinions? Surely on the CAA's part some common-sense and perhaps a little heart would be welcome. I mean, if I
were processing applications and I found an error that was rectified in less than two hours by the applicant surely the right
thing to do would be to carry on where I left off, not brush it to the back of the queue and start fobbing off?
Joe.
Time for my input.
9th May - Passed skills test.
10th May - Posted all paperwork, passport, logbook etc.
12th May - Royal Mail confirmed package was delivered and signed for at the CAA (Safe to say the ten working days have
started).
17th May - Huge amount of money disappears from bank account (I assume this is a good sign, the CAA are getting on with it
just three working days after receipt of the application).
27th May - Received an email stating that the third page (declaration) of the Night Quanlification is missing. Within two
hours of receipt of the email I printed off the required page, signed it and faxed back to them. Ten minutes later I
followed the fax up with a phone call to ensure they had received it. The email stated that I would be looking at another
ten working days. Harsh, I thought, especially as I had responded so quickly and the mistake was a simple one. This occurs
eleven working days after they had received the original applciation.
3rd June - Telephoned the CAA for progress of my application. Was informed that the fax was received on the 27th May and
that I'd be looking at ten working days from that date. Harsh, I thought again, though five days had already elapsed. Only
a week to go, I thought. Went for just over an hour's flight in order to stay current that afternoon. Unfortunately I had
to make the flight alone, which wasn't exactly what I'd got in mind.
Today (11th June) - Nothing. Telephoned the CAA again for a progress check. Was informed, again, that the fax was received
on the 27th and linked to my application successfully (??!!! It was two hours after they emailed me!! How hard could that
be?). I was then given the usual 'Ten working days from the 27th'. Not realising, I gave a disheartened 'OK thanks' and
ended the call. IT WAS ELEVEN WORKING DAYS TODAY!! ON THE DAY OF THE PHONE CALL I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE YESTERDAY!!
Some investigation has become necessary. After a quick trawl around on here I found a thread 'CAA driving me nuts.' This
triggers a flood of worries. Am I going to be waiting months? I checked the above link and it shows that on Monday (7th
June) they were checking paperwork received on the 19th May. TEN DAY TURNAROUND??! Assuming they process a specific day's
applications each day, that would mean that today they're assessing applications from the 23rd June. This means that they'd
be looking at processing the applications from my day (Now the 27th May) next Thursday (17th June). This equates to a
staggering 15 days. 50% over quoted time. Plus a good few days in the post.
Unlucky for me, holiday coming up, passport needed. Another solo flight probably needed to stay confident. I don't agree
with the fob-offs on the telephone when it clearly contradicts both what has already happened and what it states on the CAA
website.
Anyway, apologies for long, drawn out description of the long, even more drawn out process. I understand I made a mistake,
fair enough. I do feel, however, that the money should not have been taken from my account until the licence was issued.
This, to me, is wrong. Supposing I get the licence next Monday (21st June), that means I'll have gone six weeks since the date of passing my skills
test!
Any views/opinions? Surely on the CAA's part some common-sense and perhaps a little heart would be welcome. I mean, if I
were processing applications and I found an error that was rectified in less than two hours by the applicant surely the right
thing to do would be to carry on where I left off, not brush it to the back of the queue and start fobbing off?
Joe.
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Mr Rodge
Won't your school/club allow you to fly locally with a copy of your FCL 684 Skill test report form until your brown book arrives?
Stay current and don't let the ba£$@rds grind you down
Won't your school/club allow you to fly locally with a copy of your FCL 684 Skill test report form until your brown book arrives?
Stay current and don't let the ba£$@rds grind you down
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Mr rodge, it's my understanding that the 10 day turnaround only applies when you hand in the paperwork direct to the PLD desk at Gatwick and its all in order, by post the time varies, I've heard of times varying between 2 and 6 weeks depending how on how busy they are.
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According to the CAA, my place of birth is "Edingburgh", or so it says on my license 
Had a bit of bother with my RT application, all got sorted though after a few weeks.
Smithy
Had a bit of bother with my RT application, all got sorted though after a few weeks.
Smithy
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madgewick,
They're letting me hire an aircraft, it's just the whole passenger thing. I have a list of family/friends (particularly the mrs who wants to start seeing me again on Sundays) as long as my arm dying to see the home town and I can't wait to share the passion.
Joe.
They're letting me hire an aircraft, it's just the whole passenger thing. I have a list of family/friends (particularly the mrs who wants to start seeing me again on Sundays) as long as my arm dying to see the home town and I can't wait to share the passion.
Joe.
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Very frustrating. I am waiting for something from the CAA and when I phoned I was told that "we are working to service commitment levels" which means it won't be done for 5 days....oh of course you can pay a £300 expediting fee and have it done by tomorrow.
I don't want to say what and who in case my application gets 'lost' but I do find it infuriating, especially as it is just a piece of paperwork which will add 0 to safety.
ZA
I don't want to say what and who in case my application gets 'lost' but I do find it infuriating, especially as it is just a piece of paperwork which will add 0 to safety.
ZA
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mr_rodge, my flight school in Florida was extremely meticulous about the accuracy and completeness of information in my logbook and application forms for my JAA PPL license (through the UK CAA) They knew that any errors would cause lengthy delays in the application process.
When I came back to the UK, I waited three weeks before I could go flying, even though I had no issues with my application. I was dying to go up there, but was told I wasn't allowed to do so legally. My friends who did the FAA PPL were given temporary licenses (valid for a couple of weeks) until the FAA sent them their permanent photo-license. Quite a neat idea IMHO as one doesn't want to go rusty, which could affect safety, having just acquired new skills!
I hope your problem gets sorted soon. I would suggest you to ring them and chase up on it.
When I came back to the UK, I waited three weeks before I could go flying, even though I had no issues with my application. I was dying to go up there, but was told I wasn't allowed to do so legally. My friends who did the FAA PPL were given temporary licenses (valid for a couple of weeks) until the FAA sent them their permanent photo-license. Quite a neat idea IMHO as one doesn't want to go rusty, which could affect safety, having just acquired new skills!
I hope your problem gets sorted soon. I would suggest you to ring them and chase up on it.
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43 years ago I passed my driving test. The examiner gave me a "pink slip" to say so, and off I went, straight round to all my my mates houses to take them for a spin, perfectly legally.
17 years ago I passed my MEP rating and the examiner gave me the stuff to send off to the CAA. I got straight back in the twin and went for a spin (solo) but it did not remotely occur to me that It might not have been legal to do so, even alone never mind with passengers.
17 years ago I passed my MEP rating and the examiner gave me the stuff to send off to the CAA. I got straight back in the twin and went for a spin (solo) but it did not remotely occur to me that It might not have been legal to do so, even alone never mind with passengers.
