CAA & Ground Exams Validity Issue.
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CAA & Ground Exams Validity Issue.
Hi All
Thanks for any useful replies to my query.
I am currently having an issue with the CAA over the validity of my CPL-H ground exams. To cut a long story short I finished my CPL-H ground exams 3-years ago and yes I do realize that there is a period validity.
I didn’t have a chance to start the flying part of the course until last year, but I have recently completed my CPL-H flying Course. I have received a course completion certificate, from my FTO, I paid for my Skills test and received a date for my skills-test, all which were within the exam validity period.
Unfortunately, due to factors beyond my control, it was over the Christmas period, the weather and the availability of the examiner, the date of the Skills-Test fell outside the exam validity date by 8 days. I even took the Skills-Test which the examiner sanctioned on the day. Unfortunately,the test was stopped mid test for various reasons. It was only when I tried to book another test that I was told that the test was outside the exam validity date and I could not proceed and finish the course.
On advice, I then applied for a 2 months extension on my CPL exams to the CAA to allow me to finish my course. But apparently the CAA cannot retrospectively issue a an extension due to EASA laws so will not allow the extension.
Does anyone have any experience with this kind of problem?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks for any useful replies to my query.
I am currently having an issue with the CAA over the validity of my CPL-H ground exams. To cut a long story short I finished my CPL-H ground exams 3-years ago and yes I do realize that there is a period validity.
I didn’t have a chance to start the flying part of the course until last year, but I have recently completed my CPL-H flying Course. I have received a course completion certificate, from my FTO, I paid for my Skills test and received a date for my skills-test, all which were within the exam validity period.
Unfortunately, due to factors beyond my control, it was over the Christmas period, the weather and the availability of the examiner, the date of the Skills-Test fell outside the exam validity date by 8 days. I even took the Skills-Test which the examiner sanctioned on the day. Unfortunately,the test was stopped mid test for various reasons. It was only when I tried to book another test that I was told that the test was outside the exam validity date and I could not proceed and finish the course.
On advice, I then applied for a 2 months extension on my CPL exams to the CAA to allow me to finish my course. But apparently the CAA cannot retrospectively issue a an extension due to EASA laws so will not allow the extension.
Does anyone have any experience with this kind of problem?
Thanks in advance.
The U.K. CAA no longer as the authority ( until after Brexit ) ;-) to issue exemptions .
Unfortunately your going to have to sit the exams again, there is no way around this now.
While I understand, everyone has issues to deal with , leaving your skills test very near the expiry date of your theory exams , in U.K. winter was not going to end well.
Unfortunately your going to have to sit the exams again, there is no way around this now.
While I understand, everyone has issues to deal with , leaving your skills test very near the expiry date of your theory exams , in U.K. winter was not going to end well.
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Ersa: even after Brexit the CAA wouldn't issue exemptions, that would grow out of their control very quick due to every one asking for exemptions and after granting one person, they can't deny another person.
(after Brexit, we still have to obey EASA rules, that won't change. We're still in Europe, just not in the European Union (just like Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway)).
But on topic again: A 3 year period should be long enough to pass a CPL course.
Bad coaching of the ATO unless you left everything last minute and to make it worse, last minute during the winter period....(probably 50% of the lessons get cancelled).
The ATO and/or examiner should have checked that your CPL exams expired on the postponed test day and there was no point doing the test since at that point you didn't have any valid CPL ground exams so regardless of the outcome, you wouldn't get your CPL license.
Even if on the test day the exams would be valid it wouldn't work, the exams need to be valid when the CAA is issuing the license, so not just valid on the test day or when you send off your papers, but always add 30 days for the CAA to process the application. If it takes them longer than 30 days, then you can appeal but otherwise not really.
There is no other outcome then to resit the exams again.
The only thing you could ask for, is a refund for the test from the ATO since they shouldn't have tested you.
(after Brexit, we still have to obey EASA rules, that won't change. We're still in Europe, just not in the European Union (just like Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway)).
But on topic again: A 3 year period should be long enough to pass a CPL course.
Bad coaching of the ATO unless you left everything last minute and to make it worse, last minute during the winter period....(probably 50% of the lessons get cancelled).
The ATO and/or examiner should have checked that your CPL exams expired on the postponed test day and there was no point doing the test since at that point you didn't have any valid CPL ground exams so regardless of the outcome, you wouldn't get your CPL license.
Even if on the test day the exams would be valid it wouldn't work, the exams need to be valid when the CAA is issuing the license, so not just valid on the test day or when you send off your papers, but always add 30 days for the CAA to process the application. If it takes them longer than 30 days, then you can appeal but otherwise not really.
There is no other outcome then to resit the exams again.
The only thing you could ask for, is a refund for the test from the ATO since they shouldn't have tested you.
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Thanks for the prompt replies.
But at 58 years old I'll not be sitting the exams again.
It was just something I'd always wanted, but circumstances and an ill parent prevented me from completing the course quick enough. It was really going to be the springboard to the flight instructor course which I still have another 80 hours as a PPL to do to be able to apply for. But I'm not sure if there is a period of validity for the FI course either?
I'm not altogether sure why the CAA can't retrospectively give an extension to the exams? Their response to my application was that they can't legally issue an extension as it has to applied for before the exam validity expired. Not sure what relevance a date either side of the expiry has, but there it is?
But at 58 years old I'll not be sitting the exams again.
It was just something I'd always wanted, but circumstances and an ill parent prevented me from completing the course quick enough. It was really going to be the springboard to the flight instructor course which I still have another 80 hours as a PPL to do to be able to apply for. But I'm not sure if there is a period of validity for the FI course either?
I'm not altogether sure why the CAA can't retrospectively give an extension to the exams? Their response to my application was that they can't legally issue an extension as it has to applied for before the exam validity expired. Not sure what relevance a date either side of the expiry has, but there it is?
Rudestuff.
Don't you need to have a CPL now in order to be an FI? (unless you've got grandfather rights?)
I may be wrong on that.
Redhill
As someone who's copped the sharp end of the exam cutoff limits in the past, to my serious detriment and inconvenience, you have my sympathies. In this case it does not sound like you have any options - sorry.
OH.
Don't you need to have a CPL now in order to be an FI? (unless you've got grandfather rights?)
I may be wrong on that.
Redhill
As someone who's copped the sharp end of the exam cutoff limits in the past, to my serious detriment and inconvenience, you have my sympathies. In this case it does not sound like you have any options - sorry.
OH.
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Thanks chaps. All valid replies, much appreciated.
I did ask the CAA for an extension for 4 weeks and they declined saying they couldn't "legally" issue an extension. I pointed out that they were in breach of their own rules and laws by letting me take the skills test 7 days outside the exam validity anyway?
I also asked them to supply me with the EASAreference that confirms the pre-requisite that an application for extension needs to becompleted within the exam validity period and that they legally can't issue a retrospective extension. And also the CAA's acceptable means of compliance for any EASAruling appertaining to that law/rule.
Predictably the CAA haven't had the curtsey to respond.
Thanks again
I did ask the CAA for an extension for 4 weeks and they declined saying they couldn't "legally" issue an extension. I pointed out that they were in breach of their own rules and laws by letting me take the skills test 7 days outside the exam validity anyway?
I also asked them to supply me with the EASAreference that confirms the pre-requisite that an application for extension needs to becompleted within the exam validity period and that they legally can't issue a retrospective extension. And also the CAA's acceptable means of compliance for any EASAruling appertaining to that law/rule.
Predictably the CAA haven't had the curtsey to respond.
Thanks again
Yep, that fits nice within typical bureaucratic behavior.
Write to EASA, can not be worse.
Sure, they may be pissed because of that, but they already made piss on you
Take look on our "case", there LBA done all in attempt to cover some mistakes and missing competency of ATO.
Guess why, they granted them all on paper
Who cares for real training quality and safety....
The good, the bad and the ugly training thread
Write to EASA, can not be worse.
Sure, they may be pissed because of that, but they already made piss on you
Take look on our "case", there LBA done all in attempt to cover some mistakes and missing competency of ATO.
Guess why, they granted them all on paper
Who cares for real training quality and safety....The good, the bad and the ugly training thread
