Right, I have it as FACT, don't cut it up, it'll be invalidated. That's a FACT. It's not debatable. If you don't know something - ask. The CAA's phone number isn't a secret, you may have to wait 10-15 mins to be spoken to and they will confirm what I have said. Don't guess based on the number of sleeves, page numbers or mumbo jumbo. Waste £46 and fly on an invalidated licence if it makes you feel rebellious but don't try and confuse others into the same path.

DO NOT CUT YOUR NEW EASA ATPL LICENCE. IT WILL INVALIDATE IT.

End of story.

Perhaps we should all phone the CAA on the same day and ask them the same question about which page should go in which sleeve :E

Seriously, the CAA haven't made this decision, it is from EASA and the CAA has to comply. Non negotiable, not debatable.

What I resent is that it took them 3 1/2 months (2 months after it expired) to reissue my ATPL, and I have no come back, no compensation, no apology, and I expect (you just know really) that despite the back log of work everyone grabbed their bags at 5pm, and thinned out for the day.

It is the CAA.
They are responsible for their own aviation!
Have other EASA countries got a stupid licence as well ?
Is it the CAA interpretation of EASA rules? If so did they ever question them and ask WHY or heres a better idea, or can we do it this way (I bet the french did there own thing).

I'm sorry but if you can co*k up the issuing of a simple licence, I do not dare think what else they are capable of. Unprofessional yet again, time to take the blinkers off.

:ugh::ugh::ugh:

It's a disgrace and systematic of the whole EASA implementation by the CAA. The simple act of getting new licences to people who need them for their livelihood in a format which is useable is beyond them. They are quite simply beyond the task and not fit for the role of administering aviation in the UK.

Apparently it's because your license details aren't on the bottom of each page as they were with the old JAR licenses. Therefore once cut up there's no easy way to be sure the pages relate to the license holder.

Seems like there's a relatively simple fix there which will please everyone...

Sorry chaps - big red box in CAP 804 Sect 1, Part C, Appendix 2, Page 1 states:

"Pilots are not permitted to cut up their licence as its format and layout is stipulated by EASA regulations."

Good 'ere innit?

Then the format is screwed and needs re-designing! I really think a court may not agree with EASA if it came to be challenged!!

When I had my A320 and JAR licence converted about 2 weeks ago I used the same day service which worked out quite well. I appreciate not everyone can do so though which has created a big problem for those in the pending tray!

The CAA are a disgrace, the worst kind of civil service mentality draped in the guise of a viable commercial entity!! :mad:

JAA licence. Just done a recurrent. I have been given a whole load of sh1t paperwork which I can only assume is EASA sh1t?
The TRTO has no idea so what chance do I have?
What an utter sham of sh1t!
I will continue to fly as per norm, they can stop me!

KH

Any UK TRTO should know what forms are needed, one of which will need to be completed by the TRE signing off your recurrent. I needed just three forms and I am guessing so will you! It's not so bad until you have to send off the paperwork!!

If the TRTO is US based, then I would agree with you!

This has got me so curious that I've actually looked up the EASA regulation. LINK

Nowhere does it say that everything has to be shoehorned onto one piece of A4.
It actually says that an item such as the ratings page can be a separate item, as long as it is clearly identified.

Basically the CAA have chosen to interpret the regulations in a completely cocked-up manner for reasons known only unto themselves!!! I would say it beggars belief, but then it is the CAA we're talking about!

FW

Thanks for the link and relevant regs - I agree with your interpretation!

Our nutty CAA is at it again - a law unto themselves! I did say above that I don't believe any court would uphold the CAA's contention that cutting up a licence in the way "it suggests" would invalidate it but it needs clearing up asap for everyone's sake!

The problem is with the CAA's current implementation. They don't have the license holders details at the bottom of each section, so once cut up, there is nothing to say that the pages relate to the license holder

The EASA regs clearly say each page should be 1/8th the size of an A4 page.
It doesn't say anything about being 1/8th of the same sheet of A4. I've had a look at the old JAR regs and the only difference I can see is that the old one says each page should be no smaller than 1/8th A4.

It also has each page numbered 1-8. Why would they be numbered if it's all intended to be on one sheet?

I think the CAA have misinterpreted it but now that they have if you cut it up then the ratings pages don't have any licence number so could belong to anyone.

That all being said, it lives in the bottom of the bag and only sees the light of day once a year for the LPC or more if some nice inspector shows up. Does it really matter what it looks like? I do feel sorry however for the TREs with long surnames :ok:

The cut up thing dates back to when the JAR licenses were issued.

Immediately 50% of the pilots chopped them up so they would fit in the provided book because it was obviously stupid not to.

Someone who proberly never has to carry one day in day out didn't like this and started saying that the license was invalid if it was chopped up. Typical civil servant attitude to documentation to be honest.

Then it was proved that there was nothing stopping the practise.

This time they made sure it was written that you couldn't for some reason.

The reason for not having a sensible sized license I would think is purely because they have a printer and don't want to buy a new one and want to use the stocks of paper that they already have. It could be sorted for under 500 quid in real terms but by the time you add in all the internal billing costs and training etc your more than likely looking at 10k to get a new printer in.

I am willing to bet it coming from the same people who are enforcing all the PDF security nonsense to try and get you to print out a form sign it and then scan it back in again. When its pretty well known that all you do is print the thing off as a pdf to get rid of the security after you have filled it in. Then paste in your signature with a transparent back ground and then print it again to PDF and email it in. Takes all of 60 seconds and you don't need access to scanner.

The CAA have no control over the interpretation of the rules by other National Aviation Authorities however at a recent EASA meeting the vast majority of NAA confirmed that they would consider the licence as defaced if it was cut up.

It follows on from this that if a ramp inspection was carried out by one of those NAA inspectors then they would consider your licence invalid and refuse to allow you to proceed.

Therefore the advice from the CAA is based on their interpretation of the rules and the consensus of other NAA. For the CAA to say that it may be okay to cut up your licence would be ludicrous, consequently in order to ensure that your licence is definitely considered as valid the CAA say that it should not be cut up. If you then choose to cut up your licence (despite advice from the CAA to the contrary) and a flight gets delayed then it probably will not be viewed favourably by your employer.

Anyone done the over the counter service recently?

The CAA website is clear as mud; is the counter service in Aviation House and is there parking outside or does one have to use Gatwick Short Stay?

It is in Aviation House and there is visitor parking out the front of the building.

Cheers:ok:

Artie, if you are making any cpl/atpl licence changes/amendments involving the issue or reissue of a licence, strongly suggest getting there very early before the office opens. Security will let you wait in the warmth. Its worth getting there early before the rush and they will only deal with a limited number of requests each day. I got there just before 7.00am and was number 3 in the queue.

JB, the new season approaches and I haven't got to put up with a tweeting ijit with earings driving next to me.

Thanks JB, it's a JAA to EASA conversion. I'll pack a Thermos & cheese roll and get there early!

Good luck in Melbourne.