CAA - be careful!
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: London, UK
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My tuppence; went for a Class 1 down in Gatwick in September last year, failed the CAA Class 1 but passed (subject to a couple of checks) an FAA Class 1, and passed a lantern test which meant I was entitled to have a restriction on my Class 2 removed forthwith.
It's now mid April - 7 months later - and despite letters, telephone calls and psychic chanting I haven't received a single scrap of paper.
I don't know what it's problem is, but the CAA is a shambles.
It's now mid April - 7 months later - and despite letters, telephone calls and psychic chanting I haven't received a single scrap of paper.
I don't know what it's problem is, but the CAA is a shambles.
Join Date: May 2000
Location: uk
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I had the misfortune to try and revalidate something with FCL recently that required an assessment from them. After having received 3 different sets of requirements from 3 different FCL staff (resulting in me sitting an exam unnecessarily) I finally met their ever shifting criteria and sent off my log books and licenses. It then took about a month for me to track down the documents after FCL returned them to an address that I had not lived at for over 10 years.
My overall impression was one of great administrative incompetence, typical of many large public bodies with no commercial or performance incentives.
My overall impression was one of great administrative incompetence, typical of many large public bodies with no commercial or performance incentives.
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Essex
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Trivial but typical, when you go to the CAA, at the reception there are all the forms that you need. when you come to read the forms, the first thing it says is... please use BLACK INK for all enteries on this form, but when you use the pen on a chain provided........you guest it, it's BLUE.
As I say trivial, but I'm bored.
P.S
64 quid to add an IMC rating.....rip off!
As I say trivial, but I'm bored.
P.S
64 quid to add an IMC rating.....rip off!
Join Date: May 2001
Location: 75N 16E
Age: 54
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£64 is a bloody rip-off !
Took me over a month to even get a reply. Emailed them early march for the forms to add IMC to my licence, about 2nd April got an email back saying that the form would be in the post.
Still, two weeks on and no licence, logbook etc etc. Hope it comes back before the weather gets crappy again....
Cheers
EA
Took me over a month to even get a reply. Emailed them early march for the forms to add IMC to my licence, about 2nd April got an email back saying that the form would be in the post.
Still, two weeks on and no licence, logbook etc etc. Hope it comes back before the weather gets crappy again....
Cheers
EA
Join Date: May 2001
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The 57 quid for Radio lic renewal must be the biggest rip off.
I have also noticed as well that the wording has been changed for the initial lic issue for cpl.
"including initial type and instrument rating"
if this means you have to pay 100 quid for the MEP class to be issued its a pretty crafty way of bumping up the cost of cpl/ MEP IR issue by 100 quid.
To be honest i have had nothing but civil replys from the front desk and no problems from medical either ( I wonder if you could pay a fiver extra to garantee the Irish nurse). But i should imagine that due to the rules imposed by the managers about exam sitting, the front desk get alot of grief from rather pissed off punters. After 4 hours of getting flak about things you have no control over is bound to ware even the most considerate person down.
BTW after seeing Oxfords exam hall and sitting exams at Gatwick and Glasgow. The Glasgow venue has alot going for it. The accom in the halls is very reasonably priced and includes an evening meal. And in the exam hall you get 2 desks to work on which makes life an awful lot easier when doing map and CAP work.
Although it may not be the best option if the world bagpiping championships are being held on Glasgow Green
MJ
I have also noticed as well that the wording has been changed for the initial lic issue for cpl.
"including initial type and instrument rating"
if this means you have to pay 100 quid for the MEP class to be issued its a pretty crafty way of bumping up the cost of cpl/ MEP IR issue by 100 quid.
To be honest i have had nothing but civil replys from the front desk and no problems from medical either ( I wonder if you could pay a fiver extra to garantee the Irish nurse). But i should imagine that due to the rules imposed by the managers about exam sitting, the front desk get alot of grief from rather pissed off punters. After 4 hours of getting flak about things you have no control over is bound to ware even the most considerate person down.
BTW after seeing Oxfords exam hall and sitting exams at Gatwick and Glasgow. The Glasgow venue has alot going for it. The accom in the halls is very reasonably priced and includes an evening meal. And in the exam hall you get 2 desks to work on which makes life an awful lot easier when doing map and CAP work.
Although it may not be the best option if the world bagpiping championships are being held on Glasgow Green
MJ
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Samsonite Avenue
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Like any company the CAA has its better employees and the not so good employees.
I had to phone the aircraft registration department a couple of weeks ago and the chap at the other end was superb, bending over backwards to help me and was very friendly!!!!!! However it is the bad experiences that you always remember!!!! I still remember when I phoned FCL a few years ago and the chap was so arrogant and answered the phone by moaning 'Yes', I asked if that was the FCL department and his reply was 'Well, mmmm I hope so!'. He went on to give me a load of waffle on the phone, none of it being true, which made me phone again a few days later with the same enquiry. On the second occasion, I dealt with a chap who was great and more than willing to assist!
Manners can't hurt can they?
MG
I had to phone the aircraft registration department a couple of weeks ago and the chap at the other end was superb, bending over backwards to help me and was very friendly!!!!!! However it is the bad experiences that you always remember!!!! I still remember when I phoned FCL a few years ago and the chap was so arrogant and answered the phone by moaning 'Yes', I asked if that was the FCL department and his reply was 'Well, mmmm I hope so!'. He went on to give me a load of waffle on the phone, none of it being true, which made me phone again a few days later with the same enquiry. On the second occasion, I dealt with a chap who was great and more than willing to assist!
Manners can't hurt can they?
MG
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: london
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Thought I'd just add one for those that do try hard at the CAA FCL dept.
Called them up with some licencing issues and to find out more about licence conversion if I gained a CPL(IR) overseas and then wanted to convert to JAA afterwards.
Not only were they very helpful and friendly but also offered to e-mail me all relevant documentation and info.
Received the e-mail shortly afterwards with an invitation to call them back if I had any further questions.
I'm not sure whom I spoke to but the e-mail I received from them was sent by one MG Sims.
Just shows that there are some at the CAA who do care about us!!
Called them up with some licencing issues and to find out more about licence conversion if I gained a CPL(IR) overseas and then wanted to convert to JAA afterwards.
Not only were they very helpful and friendly but also offered to e-mail me all relevant documentation and info.
Received the e-mail shortly afterwards with an invitation to call them back if I had any further questions.
I'm not sure whom I spoke to but the e-mail I received from them was sent by one MG Sims.
Just shows that there are some at the CAA who do care about us!!
