Flight requirements for valid SEP

[Boeing100]

Hi All

I have recently revalidated my SEP and am waiting for the CAA to send me a paper copy of my fresh PPL document (had to transfer it from France)

My FI mentionned that if I haven't flown for 6 weeks while valid, I will need to book 30 minutes instruction, and if over 8 weeks I will need to book an hour.
I'm well aware of the CAA requirements to re-validate my SEP by experience by the end of the 2 years, but I can't find any reference anywhere to this 6/8 week requirement while it's still valid.

Is this something anyone here has heard of before? or is this something that's more of a airclub policy rather than CAA?

Thanks

[ak7274]

Club policy. Not a CAA requirement at all.

[Boeing100]

Originally Posted by ak7274

Club policy. Not a CAA requirement at all.

thank you, I figured it was odd I couldn't find mention of this anywhere on the CAA website.

[ChickenHouse]

This is definitely not CAA rule. I would check whether it even is a club requirement and if not, I would go straight to the FI for discussion. Getting the license, FI is out of the game and if hesheit feels you need more training I would question why (and why you were allowed to pass exam). Sorry, I know I am too suspicious, but have seen too many rip-offs during my life.

[Boeing100]

Originally Posted by ChickenHouse

This is definitely not CAA rule. I would check whether it even is a club requirement and if not, I would go straight to the FI for discussion. Getting the license, FI is out of the game and if hesheit feels you need more training I would question why (and why you were allowed to pass exam). Sorry, I know I am too suspicious, but have seen too many rip-offs during my life.

it definitely wasn't mentioned as something specifically related to me or my performance. It's actually a company that runs clubs across two separate airfields in the UK. Very reputable people, and have always tried to minimize my cost of training for my SEP revalidation so wouldn't question their honesty. I think this is more of a company policy more than anything else (and my thread here was to confirm it wasn't based on actual regulation). But thanks for your feedback

[Cirrussy]

Sounds suspiciously like someone is trying to keep his logbook ticking over.... Time to buy your own aeroplane and kiss goodbye to those lousy flying school crates!

[NorthSouth]

Originally Posted by Boeing100

It's actually a company that runs clubs across two separate airfields in the UK. Very reputable people, and have always tried to minimize my cost of training for my SEP revalidation so wouldn't question their honesty. I think this is more of a company policy more than anything else

From your description and your location I think I can say I know this company well and I can also confirm that the 6 weeks/8 weeks rule is company policy, set out in their Ops Manual and based on their insurance. The 6 week check is normally 3 circuits. The 8 week check normally includes stalls and PFLs as well as circuit work.

Hope that helps.

NS

[Gertrude the Wombat]

Originally Posted by Boeing100

thank you, I figured it was odd I couldn't find mention of this anywhere on the CAA website.

It's probably a rule if you want to hire solo from the club where you trained, which you will find in the solo hirers section of the flying order book (which, as a student, you might not have been required to read and sign).

If you don't like it you can try to find another club that offers something you do like, or you can buy your own plane.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by Council Van

Every school I instructed at had a 28 day policy and it was not a bad thing judging by several check flights I carried out on PPL's who had exceeded the limit.

I recall one character who did not think it was necessary to take prompt action when the aircraft had a 45 degree angle of bank at 300ft and was quite insulted that I decided to roll the wings level. Another could not understand that continually trying to land a PA28 on the nose wheel was not quite right.

The first gentleman was deemed fit to hire a club aircraft by another instructor and promptly went and attempted to land on the poor individuals who were busy extending the runway at East Midlands rather than aiming for the displaced threshold. A miffed tower controller rang to tell us that he had been literally shouting at him to go around as he was convinced he was going to land amongst the JCB's. When the gentleman concerned was invited to have a chat with the lady owner of the flying school he told her she knew nothing about flyings as she was a woman! He was promptly invited to leave and not show his face again.

Excessive cost is always an issue, but in my experience there is usually a close relationship between a pilot's skill level and the degree to which they object to having to have a currency check (which, yes, is invariably a club rule, not an authority rule).

The good pilots are almost always really happy to do this, and it is very common to find significant deficiencies in the flying skills of pilots who regard it all as a waste of time.

At the same time, most of us have limits to our flying budgets -these requirements can dent that badly. This is particularly true if you fly at more than one club.

G

[abgd]

I never objected to the rule. I never even objected to the cost (the marginal cost of an instructor on top of the cost of aircraft hire isn't that much). What I objected to was turning up and having to wait a generally indeterminate amount of time for an instructor to become available.

[Flyin'Dutch']

Originally Posted by Genghis the Engineer

but in my experience there is usually a close relationship between a pilot's skill level and the degree to which they object to having to have a currency check (which, yes, is invariably a club rule, not an authority rule).

G

Isn't that just so true!