PPL in Austrocontrol without the Radio Telephony License (AFZ)

[EagleFalcon]

Hello guys,

I am planning to pass my PPL theory exams in Austrocontrol + practical skill test in one of the authorised external examiners from Austrocontrol in Spain (there are several centers across Europe).

At the moment, I am having my training in a Spanish ATO, where there is no Radio Telephony License training or test, as everything is done in Spanish.

I can not speak German properly and I am not interested in getting the AFZ (Allgemeines Sprechfunk Zeugnis für den beweglichen Flugfunkdienst) at the moment. That would take too much time to learn German and then study for the test.

My question is: can I still get my Austrian license without the Radio Telephony License (AFZ) and use it to fly everywhere else in Europe (of course in Spain as well)?
I understand that I will not be able to fly in Austria or Germany if I need to speak German (most of the aerodromes).

PD: If you are asking why I did not do the PPL examens in Spain, the answer is bureaucracy and useless people.

Thank you!

[Jan Olieslagers]

Excuse me for not having even a beginning of an answer, but perhaps I can help in clarifying/detailing your question/problem.

Do I understand right that, wanting to pass the examination with an Austrian organisation/company, or an agent of theirs, you will request your PPL from the Austrian CAA? If so, it is for them to detail the conditions they require. So you should ask them, I reckon.

Ready to stand corrected

[Jhieminga]

If you are required to use the radio, you need a LPE on your licence. See FCL.055 for the specifics. This also states:

...in either English or the language used for
radio communications involved in the flight.

So the question is whether you can do a LPE in English and/or Spanish (skipping the German one) on an Austrian PPL. As Jan said, best to ask the Austrian CAA, or go and have a chat with one of these authorised external examiners. They will know.

[Jan Olieslagers]

If you are required to use the radio, you need a LPE on your licence.

Always? Or only for undertaking a flight where the use of English might be required?
I can well imagine that some private pilots in countries like France and Spain, never leaving their country, do all their R/T in local language. Would they still be required to have a valid LPE? Even if they are, I doubt very much whether the requirement would be enforced

[Jhieminga]

FCL.055 Language proficiency Regulation (EU) 2020/359
(a) General. Aeroplane, helicopter, powered-lift and airship pilots required to use the radio
telephone shall not exercise the privileges of their licences and ratings unless they have a
language proficiency endorsement on their licence in either English or the language used for
radio communications involved in the flight.

That's what it says... I only ever have had a LPE in English on my licence, so don't know how this works in other countries where RT may be conducted in other languages.

From: https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/easy-a...ncing-part-fcl

[Fl1ingfrog]

English is the international language and all ICAO ATC must be competent. At private non ATC aerodromes some may not use English but I have never heard of any aerodrome that demands a local language. I have come across some locally based PPLs who try to demand it but ignore them because they have no authority. However it is polite in my view to use the standard phrases in the local language if this is the case.

[Whopity]

+ practical skill test in one of the authorised external examiners from Austrocontrol in Spain

The PPL Skill test requires the candidate to demonstrate the use of the radio under the heading Communications in each section of the test. If the test is conducted in Spain that could be demonstrated in Spanish or English. With regard to LP on your licence, it will be down to the issuing Authority but if you don't have ELP that will limit your ability to use the licence Internationally.