UK medical/licence query
 

Hi folks - looking for ideas as to the most efficient way to get back airborne in the UK in the current climate, with my local school set to open again later in the week.
I have an UK JAR PPL that I was last current under about 13 years ago. I also have an Australian PPL, the SEP rating is current until the end of the year. My Aussie class two medical is valid until October.
My queries are - is it going to be easier to fly under my JAR licence (I believe that needs converted to an EASA, but I am not quite across that yet). I'm thinking I would need to do that, rather than convert my Aussie licence (despite the Aussie one being more current).
Then - for medicals, I'm not sure if anyone is doing them in Scotland at the moment - but do I need one, or can I initially use the self-dec provisions to fly less than 5,600kgs?
Thanks for your help!!

Check the JAR licence for an expiry date. The document itself needed to be renewed every five years so it is most likely past that date. Also, as you didn't convert it to an EASA licence before 8 April 2018, you are now unable to exercise the privileges until you convert to an EASA licence. See here: https://www.caa.co.uk/Commercial-ind...r-JAR-licence/
I can't comment on the pros and cons of using your Australian licence as a basis for conversion, but would suggest contacting a flight school about this. As you're current on your Australian licence, they may be able to sign off on a minimal amount of training to get you up to speed for a SEP prof check.

Thanks Jhieminga - that's really helpful.
I'll check the expiry date but, yea, sounds like that will be a dead duck - it would have last been renewed around 2005 (where does time go?!).
I'll drop the school a note and ask them to have a think.
Any ideas re medical?
Cheers!

Sorry, can't help you with that one. The best thing I can suggest is getting in touch with an AME and ask this question there. But I'm sure someone else will pop in with a better answer.

The licence itself is a familiar scenario, long expired ratings and such. The head of training or similar at the ATO can evaluate your situation, specify what training needs to be done to get you up to speed (very little most likely seeing as you've been flying on the AUS licence) and organise a prof check. You may need to sort the medical situation by then though. After that its mostly a complex paperwork exercise, but the ATO should be able to help you with that.

Quite simple really.

Renew your UK SEPL with a registered training facility or ATO whatever is most convenient or your choice. Renew your medical with an AME, again straight forward unless you have a medical issue (google search CAA AME list) there are many in Scotland and throughout the UK. Then apply for the EASA PPL submitting your expired JAR licence to exchange.

If you had a UK radio licence before, then this will be all that's required to give permanent RTF privileges included in your new EASA licence. Otherwise you will need to undertake the RTF practical test.

All JAR licences automatically became EASA licences in 2012 when Part-FCL came into effect. The idea was that when you renew the licence the CAA would send you one with EASA written on it. You can still do this, but it will come back with an expired SEP rating on the back. You would then have to send it back to have the SEP reinstated once you have renewed the SEP rating.

Much easier to do the necessary to renew the SEP and then convert/renew your JAR licence at the same time. The EASA way is assessment flight at an ATO/DTO, training as required & then a proficiency check. Since your SEP is more than 3 years expired the ATO is supposed to cover the entire pre-solo syllabus (not the hours, just the exercises) during the training as required phase, although I think they are allowed some discretion.

You can't convert your Aus licence as, technically, you already have an EASA (A) licence. You don't need a medical to renew or revalidate a class rating, I'm not sure if the licence renewal complicates that.