Good News ?
 

From the BGA
Part-FCL Licensing &
Approved Training Organisations
The CAA has informed us today that the EASA Committee has voted in favour of the proposed
changes to legislation described in yesterday’s BGA Newsletter which will have the effect of
deferring until 2018 the need to convert to Part-FCL licensing and the need to implement ATO
requirements.
For glider pilots and clubs, the main effects of these changes include:
 There is no longer a requirement to hold a LAPL(S) or SPL in order to fly EASA
sailplanes after 8th April 2015 - gliding will continue under existing national
arrangements ie current BGA arrangements (including self-declaration with GP
endorsement medicals) until at least April 2018
 Aeroplane and SLMG pilots can continue to use NPPL privileges, again at least until
April 2018
 There is no longer a requirement to establish an Approved Training Organisation (ATO)
by April 2015
These changes have come about in response to successful lobbying by the GA community. The
UK, including the BGA, has been actively involved in this work with the CAA playing a
significant role to achieve positive change. These deferments will give EASA the time needed to
agree a more proportionate approach to regulating the light end of GA.
Meanwhile, today’s agreement leaves many items of detail to be agreed between the BGA and
the CAA. We do understand there will be points of detail that affect individual pilots in different
ways. The BGA has previously discussed and agreed the need to ensure no glider pilots are
disadvantaged by this welcome extension of the transition period. We will issue a more
comprehensive briefing as soon as that continued dialogue has taken place.