Revalidating an expired PPL to hour build

[Shifty1212]

I'll start with explaining my situation.

I got my fixed wing PPL in 2004, revalidated in 2006, have not flown since and now i'm looking to confirm the process of re-obtaining my priviledges. Please try and avoid comments of, 'serves you right for being lazy', the lapse was due to operational injury with the mil, and on being declared fit, subsequent operational tempo.

I'm now looking to crack my CPL. I now work overseas as a contractor, 9 weeks on, 4 off. I'm looking to complete my ATPLs DL and hour build on my leaves. Hopefully completing the full CPL modular in my current employment, and keep it until I pick up some sort of work as a professional pilot. (I don't really care if its flying rubber obvious out of hong kong).

I have the PPL, so i can at least get the ATPLs, but i'll need to get the PPL back inline to crack the hour building. A bit of multi tasking. I've written to a few schools, in the UK and abroad, but i've not got a decent answer yet. I'm hoping its just a case of getting amongst it with an instuctor and then re sitting a PPL skills test (ie not having to complete the ground school again, as this will interfere with the ATPL study)

I'd appreciate the help guys and girls, let me know.

[Shifty1212]

Thanks for the quick response, It is a JAR PPL

I'm not sure when it lapsed, or even if..I'm just assuming it has as i've not keep it current with flying 12 hours every 24 months...I'm at work at the moment and all my info (licence, log book) is at home. Sorry if that seems a little unorganised, i'm just trying to get as much of the planning done here so i can be a little more efficent on my leave.

[Genghis the Engineer]

I replied, then deleted my reply intending to say something more meaningful later - hence why you seem to be talking to yourself. Sorry about that.

If your recency has expired less than 5 years, you need only to "Proficiency Check" (skills test by another name really) with an examiner, although that's inevitably after a bit of training to get you current again. Pretty much any UK flying school can do that for you, and it's likely to just take a few hours if your flying isn't too scruffy. Just pick somewhere convenient.

There is a CAA 5-yearly fill-out-a-form-and-pay-a-fee renewal, which was probably due in 2009 in your case. The form is here. You need to do that first I believe.

G

[Shifty1212]

I did wonder what had happened, I appreicate you taking the time to reply.

If anyone else reading this thread is still confussed or has different circumstances, I found a decent link whilst looking for a school, which outlines the process and confirms what genghis was saying.

Ground School renew lapsed PPL

Thanks again.

[mrmum]

As Genghis said you will need to renew your licence which will probably have expired in 2009, however to do this you will need to have a current medical. You can find your local ones here Medical Examiners Database Search - No Match | Medical | Safety Regulation with the find an AME function of the medical section of the CAA website.

[mrmum]

Also, the CAA should have sent you some new licence pages about 3 years ago, giving you a level 4 English language proficiency. When you have your LST to renew your SEP(L) class rating, make sure the examiner completes the section to give you a level 6 (I'm assuming you're a native speaker).

[Pom pom]

I was in a similar position a couple of years ago, having not flown for almost twenty years. 1 hour trial flight, medical, 3.5 hours further flying skills brush up AND COMPLETE THEORY AND PRACTICAL FOR ISSUE OF NEW "FLIGHT RADIO TELEPHONY OPERATOR'S LICENCE" (FROTL). I was then signed off by my instructor to go solo (in circuit only), followed by LST. No theory tests required other than the RT stuff, though I did buy the latest books and studied them as if I was going to be tested - in flight is not the best place to realise you've forgotten something! Getting back into flying was the best thing I ever did.

[mrmum]

As the OP got his PPL in 2004 and FRTOLs are issued for 10 years, he shouldn't need to do that.

[mrmum]

I found a decent link whilst looking for a school, which outlines the process and confirms what genghis was saying.Ground School renew lapsed PPL

Slight mistake on Step 4) of the above link, if the rating has been expired for more than 5 years then the FE can't sign the ratings page (FCL150) of the PPL, it has to be done at Gatwick, for an appropriately fat fee. Don't really see why they need to do the writing after an arbitrary 5 year period. This shouldn't be a problem for the OP as they revalidated in 2006, their SEP(L) class rating wouldn't have expired until 2008.

[BEagle]

Shifty1212, to have the licence re-issued you will simply need to fill out the relevant forms and to pay the re-issue fee. You will also need a valid JAA Class 2 medical certificate.

You don't need to hold a valid Class Rating in order to have the licence re-issued; you held a SEP Class Rating in the previous 5 years which is sufficient.

Your last SEP Class Rating revalidation was in 2006, therefore it expired in 2008. As that it less than 5 years ago, before you can use your re-issued licence you will need to fly a renewal LST with a FE who will be able to sign you up there and then assuming you pass.

There are no theoretical knowledge or FRTOL tests required in your case.

[Shifty1212]

Thanks for all the input guys, I appreciate the efforts on the finer detail...solid advice on hitting the books pom pom...don't want to get caught out with any questions off the examiner...

Pretty clear now, nice to know the forum works.