Third Country Licence Issue

[wannabe123]

Hi Guys,

I currently hold an IAA CPL IR however my problem is that it was issued in 2021... hence I can not avail of the general validation document for EASA licences and therefore currently can not use it to fly in the UK.

I have been told my best option is to follow Article 6 on the attached doc to be able to use my current licence.

So my question is how do I go about that?

Do I go through the 'Verification of a third country ICAO licence' page on the CAA website? And then what?

Any help is appreciated as I really do not understand what to do next - Thanks!

[Brian Pern]

Off the CAA Micro site here: https://info.caa.co.uk/uk-eu-transit...ercial-pilots/

Article 6 reads as follows:

For the validation of private pilot licences with an instrument rating, or Commercial Pilot Licences (‘CPL’) and Airline Transport Pilot Licences (‘ATPL’) with an instrument rating where the pilot intends only to exercise private pilot privileges, holders shall comply with all of the following requirements:
(a) complete the skill test for instrument rating and the type or class ratings relevant to the privileges of the licence held, in accordance with Appendix 7 and Appendix 9 of Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011; 2.6.2020 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 170/3
(b) demonstrate knowledge of Air Law, Aeronautical Weather Codes, Flight Planning and Performance (IR) and Human Performance;
(c) demonstrate language proficiency in accordance with FCL.055 of Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011;
(d) hold at least a valid Class 2 medical certificate issued in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention;
(e) have a minimum experience of at least 100 hours of instrument flight time as pilot in command (‘PIC’) in the relevant category of aircraft.

So I take it you want to fly Privately not Commercial, you need to talk to an ATO, your local flying school will be able to help.

[wannabe123]

I had read that page and decided to email the CAA to see what the 'limited ameliorations to these requirements' meant - basically they didn't know and suggested I started from scratch to gain a UK licence...

If I go through the 'Verification of a third country ICAO licence' process will that allow me to apply for a UK licence based off my current licence?

Or is the verification process used in order to comply with Article 6 of the regulation you linked?

Thanks

[Central Scrutinizer]

From the CAA website: https://info.caa.co.uk/uk-eu-transit...ercial-pilots/

What do I need to do to convert an EU licence issued after 31 December 2020 for use in the UK system?
EASA licences issued after 31 December 2020 can be converted for use in the UK system under a process set out in Article 3 of the regulation: CAP2024A00: Aircrew Regulation 2020/723 (caa.co.uk).Holders of EASA licences issued after 1 Jan 2021 are required to complete training as recommended by a UK ATO, complete all theory exams and a skill test with a UK examiner and to gain a UK medical certificate appropriate to that licence.

There are currently some limited ameliorations to these requirements in that recognition will be given to any theoretical exams taken in the EASA system prior to 31st December 2020, flight training conducted at an EASA ATO prior to 31 December 2022 and skill tests conducted by EASA examiners during this period.

Will the training I took under the European system be recognised for a UK licence?
Pilots with EASA licences issued after 1 January 2021 can obtain a UK licence that will give credit for any training undertaken in the European system within a two-year period.
In accordance with the EU Withdrawal Act, within two-years from 1 January 2021, training undertaken in the European system before 31 December 2020 will be accepted when issuing a UK licence. Any exams taken after 31 December will not be accepted.

You need to weigh the following options:

1. Use your training and theoretical exams completed before 31/12/2020 to apply for a UK licence (this may involve re-doing skills tests), or,
2. Use your current EASA qualifications to apply for a UK licence using the CAP2024A000 route: https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalap...etail&id=10002

The most suitable route to follow will depend on how much of your training was completed before 2021, and how much flight experience you have accumulated since obtaining your EASA Part-FCL licence. Since you say you only got your CPL/IR recently, it's likely that route 1 is the most suitable for you.

For both routes 1 and 2 you'll need a UK Class 1 medical, so start by getting that out of the way ASAP.

The above applies if what you ultimately want is a UK CPL/IR. If all you want is a UK PPL/IR, then things get much easier indeed. You could use Article 9 of CAP2021A000 in this case.

[ced0802]

Hello,
Has anyone converted its UK PPL to another EASA country (post 31 dec 2020)?
Thanks

[wannabe123]

Yes sorry I maybe should have mentioned that - I would like to fly within the UK privately, GA etc so a PPL is really all I would need if I was to apply for a UK licence.

However I was hoping that Article 6 would be sufficient to cover me to fly privately based of my IAA licence and avoid applying for a new UK licence.

I have contacted my local flying school however they do not know how to proceed with fulfilling the requirements stated in Article 6... hence why I thought the 'Verification of a third country ICAO licence' would be a good start?

All I would want would be a UK PPL (without an IR if its easier) - would you have any suggestions or experience in how to follow and comply with the requirements of Article 6 to allow me to fly privately on my current IAA licence?

Thanks for your help!

[Central Scrutinizer]

If you don't want an instrument rating it's Articles 9/10 you need to follow: (edited for PPL/SEP)

Article 9
Condition for conversion of licences

2. The holder of the licence to be converted shall comply with the following minimum requirements for the relevant aircraft category:
(a) demonstrate knowledge of Air Law and Human Performance;
(b) pass the PPL (...) skill test, as relevant, in accordance with Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 (...);
(c) fulfil the requirements for the issue of the relevant class or type rating, in accordance with Subpart H;
(d) hold a medical certificate, as required and issued in accordance with Annex IV (Part-MED) to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011;
(e) demonstrate language proficiency in accordance with FCL.055 of Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011;
(f) have completed at least 100 hours of flight time as a pilot.

Article 10
Conditions for acceptance of class and type ratings

A valid class or type rating contained in a licence issued by a third country may be inserted in a licence issued in accordance with Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, provided that the applicant:
(a) complies with the experience requirements and the prerequisites for the issue of the applicable type or class rating in accordance with Part-FCL;
(b) passes the relevant skill test for the issue of the applicable type or class rating in accordance with Part-FCL; 2.6.2020 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 170/5
(c) is in current flying practice;
(d) has no less than: (i) for aeroplane class ratings, 100 hours of flight experience as a pilot in that class; (...)

What this means in practice is, you go to a UK ATO and say you want to do an ICAO to UK PPL conversion.
You pass the 2 theory exams and do flight training as required. The ATO will issue you a Course Completion Certificate. http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/...e03Enabled.pdf. This complies with the "taking account of any credit based on a recommendation from an ATO" phrase of Article 3(b) within CAP2024A000
Then pass a skills test with a UK examiner, he will issue you with a skills test report form SRG2128: SRG2128: Examiner Report for PPL(A) Skill Test
Because you'll be claiming credits based on your ICAO licence, it will have to be verified using form SRG2142, which is now an online service: https://apply.caa.co.uk/CAAPortal/se...l?formCode=TCV

Once you have it all, you can apply online for your UK PPL here: https://www.caa.co.uk/General-aviati...ication-forms/

Bear in mind that documents submitted to the UK CAA must be certified. They are very particular about this. Read what they say about this carefully: https://www.caa.co.uk/Commercial-ind...nts-certified/

If you're not sure about anything, give the CAA a call on [phone] and also send them an email so that you have written proof: [email protected]

EDIT: Corrected to Article 9/10 for conversions.

[selfin]

Articles 4 to 8 in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/723 of 4 March 2020 apply only to licence validations. Steer clear of those if it is a Part-FCL licence you want. Note the time limit for validations in art 4(3):

"The validation of a licence shall have a validity period, which does
not exceed one year, and its privileges shall only be exercised as
long as the licence remains valid."

If you wish to fly a UK-registered aircraft in non-commercial operations for up to 28 days per calendar year then see art 8(4), to which the above time limit does not apply.

The relevant provisions for a licence conversion, rather than a validation, are in arts 3(b) and 9(2).

[wannabe123]

I don't want to convert my licence instead I would like to hold a UK PPL as well as my EASA licence.

Hence if I verify both my EASA licence and theoretical knowledge examinations through SRG2142 they can be claimed as credits towards my licence application?

After that, following what you had said with regards to an ATO and obtaining the relevant documentation I should be able to apply for a PPL based on my EASA licence?

I believe if I comply with Article 10 of the regulation my SEP rating could be added to my (hopefully) new PPL?

Thanks again for you help!

[wannabe123]

I was told that a licence validation would be my best option - I guess not if I was looking for a permanent fix - thanks for letting me know!

Do you know which documentation I would need to refer to when applying for a UK licence based on an existing EASA licence? (I do not wish to convert my EASA licence to a UK one)

Thanks again

[selfin]

Disregard the class rating conditions in art 10.

Licence conversion does not require surrendering the original licence. The process will simply lead to a second licence independent of the original.

The form SRG2142 should be filed with UK CAA to verify your EASA licence and exam passes before applying for a UK licence.

The passes should count towards the UK FRTOL. Your ATO can organise an RT practical test if needed. The UK FRTOL privileges are normally endorsed on the flight crew licence although a separate licence document can be issued. Details at https://www.caa.co.uk/General-aviati...rator-licence/

The SRG2142 verification is valid for the issue of a UK licence for 6 months:

Stage 3

Once we receive this verification it will be added to your records and
it will remain valid for 6 months from the date of issue. You can then
apply for the desired licensing service on the appropriate application
form(s).

https://www.caa.co.uk/Commercial-ind...-ICAO-licence/

The IAA may require your permission before sharing your licence details with the UK CAA.

Your knowledge exam passes will be accepted for the issue of a UK Part-FCL CPL or IR until the end of 2022. The validity periods specified in point (c) of FCL.025 should apply.

The CAA will continue to recognise EASA Theoretical Knowledge
certificates that were current (and within their validity dates) on 31
December 2020 for up to two years toward satisfying the requirements
for the issue of a UK CAA licence. Any exams completed under the
auspices of an EASA Member State’s competent authority after 31
December 2020 will not be recognised toward meeting the requirements
for the issue of a UK CAA licence.

https://info.caa.co.uk/uk-eu-transition/student-pilots/

It's unclear whether EASA ATPL exam passes will count for the issue of a UK Part-FCL PPL. The language proficiency demonstration required by point (2)(e) in art 9, quoted in post 7 above, can be done during the PPL/CPL skill test if you are at ICAO Level 6 (native speaker).

Language assessment during a skill test

You will probably be tested on your language skills during your skill
test and your level of ability will be recorded in the examiner’s
report form. As long as you are assessed as a Level 6 speaker, the
examiner’s report will count as proof of your language proficiency and
you will not need to send us anything else.

Only UK-registered examiners can assess your English language
proficiency during a skill test. When they do this, they can either
mark you as a Level 6 (an expert speaker) or recommend you are
assessed by a language school. They are not able to issue any other
Level.

https://www.caa.co.uk/General-aviati...e-proficiency/

The guidance on the UK CAA webpage for commercial pilots, quoted in post 4 above, isn't terribly clear. In the context of an EASA licence issued after 31 Dec 2020 the stated policy is that "recognition will be given to any ... flight training conducted at an EASA ATO prior to 31 December 2022 and skill tests conducted by EASA examiners during this period" but the section which follows states that "training undertaken in the European system before 31 December 2020 will be accepted when issuing a UK licence". Further down the page the guidance is that: "After 31 December 2022, neither training in the EU system nor exams taken after 31 December 2020 will be accepted in the award of a UK licence."

Were the Part-FCL CPL and IR training courses done in the UK?

[wannabe123]

Thanks for your help - you have answered a lot of my questions!

I have completed the SRG2142 form - just waiting for the CAA to get back to me.

My next move, if the form is ok, would be to sit the PPL Skills Test?

My CPL and IR courses were done in Spain all under EASA examiners.

[selfin]

You'll need to file form RPPL-F-120 with IAA consenting to your licence records being shared with UK CAA.

The ATPL exams can be credited towards the PPL in accordance with point (b)(1) of FCL.035:

(b) Crediting of theoretical knowledge

(1) An applicant having passed the theoretical knowledge examination
for an airline transport pilot licence shall be credited with the
theoretical knowledge requirements for the light aircraft pilot
licence, the private pilot licence, the commercial pilot licence and,
except in the case of helicopters, the IR and the EIR in the same
category of aircraft.

The credit should be within the validity period specified in point (c) of FCL.025.

Selection and designation of an examiner for a PPL skill test is normally done by the training organisation. Alternatively you may request designation by the authority by following the procedure described in para 4.3 of IN–2016/004. I don't know whether you will be permitted to attempt a skill test without first being recommended by a training organisation. That's a question for your examiner or try the Flying Instructors & Examiners section of this forum.

Don't forget to arrange an exam for the initial UK medical certificate.

[wannabe123]

Ah ok I did not know that - I'll get that form completed then.

That is some good news about the exams I guess!

Yeah I had thought I would have to get an initial UK medical again...

Thanks again for your help - hopefully I'll not need to have any more questions answered!