Class validation for Irish licence
 

Hi,

I have just finalised the transfer of my UK licence (PPL SEP À) to Ireland. This will enable me to continue to fly EASA registered aircraft.

I need to revalidate my Class before July and have the requisite hours and landings but need the one hour flight with an instructor. The instructor must be either an IAA Approved instructor or an EASA examiner. I live in Sussex in the UK and am having trouble finding either not least because I'm not sure where to start looking. I've checked in with the CAA and IAA but have had no luck with them - communication is hampered by COVID-19.

Can any forum members give me any guidance?

I'm unable to send or respond to PMs as I'm on probation in this forum so my messaging capacity is just one message!

Send me a PM. Depending on dates, I may know of a couple of options that could help.

Andrew - its the other way round: you need an hour (in total) training with a EASA Instructor to complete the SEPL re-validation requirement for a simple sign off involving paperwork only. Should you not complete (or not wish to) the full requirements then you have the option to undertake a licence proficiency check (LPC) with an examiner 'recognized' by the IAA. If the EASA Examiner was not issued with the authority by the IAA directly then they must have registered with the IAA and have been accepted by them.

If the EASA Instructor you fly with is issued by the IAA then the instructor may sign the paperwork as long as the flight with them completes all requirements. Otherwise, it needs an examiner as described above to sign the paperwork.

Hi, I'm a new member so can't use the Private, Messaging system yet. Apparently there's a probationary period. Is there any other way I can contact you.

Thanks but that's surprising as that's not what the validation form says. Coukd you refer me to the IAA documentation that spells the rules out. I have contacted the IAA for guidance but have had no response yet.

Be careful here.... a few years ago FCL.945 was a closely guarded commodity in Ireland so not all instructors could sign the paperwork.

Regardless, an hour with any EASA instructor and then send the paperwork direct to the IAA and Robert is your mothers brother. My EASA (IAA) examiners authorisation went in January but I could still do the “hour with” if necessary. PM me if you get stuck...

I'm an IAA Instructor/Examiner based at Cambridge Aero Club (EGSC). We can fly the training hour, and I can sign your SEP class rating.

Please get in touch if I can help, I appreciate it's a reasonable drive from Sussex..

Many thanks I'll bear that in mind if I get stuck.

Thanks but that's surprising as that's not what the validation form says. Could you refer me to the IAA documentation that spells the rules out. I have contacted the IAA for guidance but have had no response yet.

Andrew,

I am an IAA CRI. I fly from Redhill. I could do the hour with you but won't be able to sign the licence.

If you don't get any better offers, I could probably fly with you in May or June.

Roger

Hi Roger,

Thanks for responding but I'm not sure I understand. Could you sign off the validation form for the IAA? It would be great if you could.

Kind regards
Andrew

Andrew,

The IAA require the form to be signed by either an Examiner or an approved Instructor. That'll be an Instructor with FCL.945 on their licence, which I don't have. So no, I can't sign the form or the licence. If you fly with me, the flight would qualify as the hour with an EASA Instructor.

You'd still need an Examiner to sign it. Some UK licensed Examiners have EASA authorisations, you might be able to find one of those closer to home. Or do the paperwork by post with a willing Examiner, to sign the form and licence doesn't require a face to face meeting.

Or we could land away at Cambridge. It's quicker than driving.

Andrew,
I think there may be an examiner at Goodwood that might help.

Andrew

I'm a bit puzzled, why do you need to fly EASA aircraft in the UK, when there are not very many here?

Because I also fly in Europe.


Thanks, I've got a couple of options already but I'll check out Goodwood if my other options don't work out.

Because there are more than none?

Ultimately, I'm sticking to my general point here. Anybody who wants to hang on to an EASA licence has reasons that make sense to them, and nobody is exempt from the basic requirement that to fly professionally you must have permissions to work wherever that is. Given the second, there is absolutely no reason to introduce artificial barriers to the first - it's just being difficult for the sake of being difficult.

G

I'm all for people having whatever licences they need (I have four myself), I was just a little puzzled is all. I certainly didn't introduce any barriers!