I thought this might be of interest. It is an exchange between an affected pilot and IAOPA:
Question:<Quote>
Request: For information. You are probably aware there have been recent changes to the pilot license requirements for flying in Europe. The UK has in the past simply accepted FAA PPL as valid to fly in UK airspace. As of 15th April this year that has been changed. The UK authorities have decides that an FAA PPL is not compliant with the ICAO regulations. This is because ICAO requires that a PPL is accompanied by a medical called 'class 2' and the FAA medical for PPL is called 'class 3'. If this is the case the problem is not confined just to the UK and Europe. I have asked the FAA Airman Certification Branch for its interpretation of the international status of the PPL. The reply form Jesse Horn: "Our certificates are valid in our airspace. If you fly in another country's airspace, you must abide by their regulations." This puts the onus on individual pilots to check with the authorities of the country they are going to fly to if a sub-ICAO license is acceptable to use in their airspace. I know of many pilots, myself included, that have just flown off to say, the Bahamas from Florida, without knowing this. As the FAA does not seem concerned I thought perhaps AOPA might be in the best position to publicize that fact that the holder of an FAA PPL in foreign airspace may be flying without a valid flight crew license. This would of course make the flight illegal and therefore also not covered by insurance. </Quote>
Response:<Quote>
Mr. ****, Joe Kildea forwarded your message to me as I have been working the issue since we were first made aware of the situation. The FAA has clarified that the FAA Medical Class III is in fact a valid ICAO class II license and will be taking steps to clarify this situation with the UK CAA. We are hopeful that there will be a solution announced which should clear up this situation. Thank you very much for sharing this information with us.
CRAIG J. SPENCE
Secretary General, IAOPA
International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations
p: 301.695.2041Call: 301.695.2041 |
a: 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, MD (USA) 21701
http://www.iaopa.org</Quote>