Let me SEP rating go....

[sjon]

Hi,

I would like some help please...

I have been out of the flying game for over 2 years now and just realised that my SEP rating on my PPL A is out of date.

I dont plan on doing any flying for the next year or two either so where does that leave me could anyone tell me?

Do I have to do the full 45 hours training again and the exams or am I right in saying that you can still get your SEP rating back within 5 years of its expirey and is this easy to do or would I need hours, exams, tests?

Thanks a million.

Sorry if its the wrong forum to post this question.

My CAA EASA PPL A is valid until Summer 2016
My Medical is Valid until November 2014
My SEP rating ran out a month ago. Dec 2012. I did not renew it because I cant afford to fly in these times.

Could I go without flying until 2016 and just do a quick renew or have I screwed up and must do the 45 hours?

[Gertrude the Wombat]

The detailed rules depend on exactly how long exactly what flavour of rating on exactly which type of licence have been expired, and seem to change every five minutes anyway.

But they pretty well all amount to "training as necessary to pass a test, followed by passing a test". The "training as necessary" in some cases may be nothing or just a practice test, in my case, after a thirteen year lapse, it did consist of going through the whole of the PPL training again, but in half the time.

[taxistaxing]

I did my PPL in '05 and did a couple of trips thereafter, then no further flying. Therefore my PPL expired in 2010 and my SEP rating expired in 2007.

I had no problems revalidating both early last year in a matter of three lessons and then a 'competency check' with an examiner for the SEP rating. Renewing the license itself was just a matter of paying a fee to the CAA.

That said, this was pre EASA so definitely worth calling the CAA to check the latest requirements.

[wb9999]

My licence and rating expired 7 years ago. Last year, I had to do whatever flight training was required to pass a LPC, and pass the LPC. It's surprising how much you forget after 7 years, so it was basically the whole course in 16 hours for me. My FRTOL had expired by 7 years also, so this meant doing the Communications written exam again (required if it has expired by more than 5 years), but that was the only exam.

There was no difference in requirements between JAR and EASA. I did my LPC in August but waited until Sep 17 to get an EASA licence.

[Whopity]

That said, this was pre EASA so definitely worth calling the CAA to check the latest requirements.

That is exactly what the CAA don't want, they are rushed off their feet and all the answers are published quite clearly. From what others tell me, and my own observations, the answers currently given by the CAA have a 50% probability of being incorrect or totally irrelevant!

[taxistaxing]

all the answers are published quite clearly

I'm not so sure about that!

[wb9999]

I managed to find everything I needed in CAP804 (as it was then), and it all worked for me.

[sjon]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I am still unclear on the matter though

I had a look at the Cap 804 there... The LASORS was much easier to navigate. Had no joy in my search for my question in it.

[aluminium persuader]

I'm pretty sure that up to 5yrs from the expiry date of your rating, all you need to do is pass a flight test with an examiner. I was in a similar position (hadn't flown for several years, although I do work in the aviation industry). I did one flight with an examiner which included (IIRC) planning a navex, flying the first leg, starting the second, diverting along the way, a bit of g/h & pfl & rtb for a couple of circuits. Good to go!

ap

[Whopity]

Whether you do it now or in 2016 will make little difference except that usually the longer you go, the more training it takes to achieve test standard.

Under the new rules you must go to a school, do training as required and pass the Proficiency Check with an examiner. The Examiner can sign you up so long as it has not expired by more than 3 years. If it has expired by more than 3 years the paperwork will go to the CAA and they will charge to reissue the rating. In addition to that, you will have to pay for a new EASA licence as they cannot reissue a JAA licence.

So the clue is don't let it go beyond 3 years!

[sjon]

Thanks for your reply aluminium persuader and Whopity.

Whopity, when you say don't go over 3 years ; is that 3 years from the expiry of my SEP ?

Thanks.

[DocG]

CAP 804 Part H says

FCL.740 Validity and renewal of class and type ratings

(a) The period of validity of class and type ratings shall be 1 year, except for singlepilot single-engine class ratings, for which the period of validity shall be 2 years, unless otherwise determined by the operational suitability data, established in
accordance with Part-21.

(b) Renewal. If a class or type rating has expired, the applicant shall:
(1) take refresher training at an ATO, when necessary to reach the level of
proficiency necessary to safely operate the relevant class or type of
aeroplane; and
(2) pass a proficiency check in accordance with Appendix 9 to Part-FCL.