Brexit and the Aviation industry

[eglnyt]

I think you are being rather harsh on the CAA. The UK Government in its pursuit of Brexit was never going to be "advised" by anybody who tried to explain to them the inevitable pitfalls of the path they were pursuing. Such advice was "Project Fear" and organisations that dared to speak truth unto power were at best sidelined and ignored. I suspect they hoped that at some point reason would prevail and the obvious insanity of leaving EASA would be avoided. The trouble is that logic holds no sway when political ideology takes hold.

[TURIN]

The CAA probably got the same letter I did from the Minister in charge. I quote "we do not expect to be leaving EASA". I still have the letter!

[CW247]

So if I’ve got this right, the UK CAA have now made it a straightforward application process for non-UK EASA licence holders to obtain a U.K. licence and fly U.K. registered aircraft.
Even those that have NOT previously held a U.K. licence. Fill out a form, cough up the fee and you’re good to go...

If that EASA license holder does not have pre Brexit employment rights, his UK license will be useless as any employment without a work visa (which needs to be justified by the employer) would be illegal. This may seem one sided but was clearly done so that the many hundreds of Brits with foreign licenses could continue to gain employment with UK employers. Imagine, what the outcome would be if those people who lost their jobs due to Covid had to retrain and relicence just to be employed at home. This would be even less palatable.

The topic cannot be looked at in isolation. Work rights, who was here and employed before Brexit vs who was not makes all the difference. Airlines have to adjust their AOCs and new ones must have a justified reason for wet leasing non UK reg aircraft. Even Ryanair have been challenged over having a UK AOC but leasing EI reg planes to run it and major changes are expected if they want to co tonue to do business out of the UK.

The net advantage, say a Pole or Spaniard has over a Brit to be employed for the first time in the UK post Brexit is zero.

[FlyingStone]

Originally Posted by Blake Seven

Seems that Aviation, along with Fishing and Farming has been sold a pup and lied to about the benefits of Brexit.

Lied? This government? Surely they would never even think about such a thing.

Originally Posted by CW247

Even Ryanair have been challenged over having a UK AOC but leasing EI reg planes to run it and major changes are expected if they want to co tonue to do business out of the UK.

Unless they want to expand in the UK domestic market or increase the capacity to non-EU destinations, very little - if anything - has to change. An EU company can base unlimited amount EU-registered aircraft in the UK if they only operate UK-EU flights and vice versa, such is the trade agreement as it stands today.

[Denti]

CW247

Actually, wet leasing is not in any way restricted by the UK leaving the EU, the TCA makes sure of that, at least for UK companies. The other way round is only available in exceptional circumstances. The UK CAA might take issue with the ryanair approach of having just one UK registered aircraft on the UK AOC and leasing in all the rest, but in less extreme cases there is absolutely no restriction at all. Even less so if they simply fire their UK based personnel for EU-UK flights and do those flights from the other end with their EU AOCs, an approach that is not limited to this special case but can be applied quite widely elsewhere as well. IIRC ryanair used that for a while with their french bases, easyjet is now doing that with their german base etc.

[Timmy Tomkins]

I am sure that Mr G SHapps can provide a solution similar to the one he uses on his own aeroplane. FAA licence and all aircraft registered on an N prefix in the US..........

[futurepilot22]

With all this in mind. What would be the most logical licensing choice (UK CAA or EASA) for a future UK pilot to maximise career opportunities? If I want to work in the EU I need a job offer from an EU airline and thus an EASA license, but if for some other reason I am not granted a work visa then I am stuck in the UK and unable to fly for any company. This is my interpretation as things stand. correct me if I am wrong. But with the high volume of air travel between the UK and EU I expect a resort back to similar rules as pre-Brexit once this Covid crisis is dealt with where EASA and UK CAA are mutually recognized and non-limiting on what aircraft you can fly and where.
Note - I am currently looking at flight schools and wether or not to pursue a UK CAA or EASA license - are UK citizens even allowed to go for EASA licenses with the current rules? I have done my research on line but can't find any conclusive information.

[papabravowhiskey]

As a UK citizen, you have the right to live and work in the Republic of Ireland under the CTA rules, and could therefore be based in the RoI. Live full-time for five years in the RoI and you would be eligible for an Irish passport. Marry an Irish person and live full-time in Ireland for 3 years and you'd then be eligible for an Irish passport.

[gipsymagpie]

HEMS chap

Babcock at Staverton have EASA ATO approval, EASA sim approval and EASA examiners so that might be a good route. I expect an initial licence as opposed to a conversion might require the test to be done in a member state (heard this was the case for an initial EASA IR under the IAA). Might be easier than you think.

[wiggy]

futurepilot22

"Where" as in "I can fly from the UK to anywhere in Europe and then come back"?

Hopefully that'll return PDQ post Covid.

"Where" as in whereabouts you are based/employed?

Freedom of movement for work purposes into/around the EU for Brits has gone - I'd strongly caution making plans based on the assumption that that is coming back anytime soon.