Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:47 pm
#1835214
To put my own interest in this topic into context, I gained a JAA PPL in 2001. In 2013 I changed to a [EU] LAPL. 100% of my flying was day VFR in PA28s and C172s. 99% of my flying was in the UK with only very occasional trips to France and the CI.
My LAPL medical expired in December 2020. Prior to that, following Irv Lee’s advice posted somewhere on here in a different thread, I made a PMD in April 2020. I cannot now remember precisely why that was thought to be a good idea but, as I recall, at that time a PMD could be made for a LAPL even though the CAA’s portal had not been updated to reflect this. Furthermore, the sub 2,000 kg alleviation also applied and I ticked the box in the application to confirm I would only fly aircraft with a MTOM no greater than 2,000 kg.
I thought the combination of my licence and PMD meant I could have carried on flying EASA aircraft as they were called then, but I could be wrong, although as I haven’t flown since January 2020, this matters not.
I did not renew my LAPL medical and do not yet know when I will be able to, but am nevertheless trying very hard (and failing miserably) to understand what I can and cannot now do with my PMD made last year (which, according to the blurb received in response to my PMD, does not expire until I am aged 70) and licence combination (none of UK only; day VFR only; MTOM less than 2,000 kg; max. four seats / POB are an issue in terms of the flying I may do in the future). At the very least, as pointed out by others, the situation changed from 1 January so far as the withdrawal of the sub 2,000 kg alleviation is concerned (does this apply retrospectively to PMDs made prior to 1 January?).
Again it may just be me, but the CAA’s loose and/or inconsistent terminology and phraseology is not helping matters, which is simply unacceptable from the regulator and gives the impression either that they do not understand themselves or, if they do understand, they are unable to communicate effectively and unambiguously. Frankly, we deserve better.