Page 1 of 1

UK PPL Licence Validity in Europe

PostPosted:Thu Apr 08, 2021 2:29 pm
by leckers
Just come off the phone with CAA - and they don't know.....
Assuming we can, one day, return to a more normal situation, and visit France, and fly at the local aeroclub, what are the current regs regarding licence/med requirements? I have a UK issued PPL + Class 2 medical - can I fly a French registered aircraft? What requirements do I need to obtain if I need some other paperwork?
When I lived there, the DGAC were quite happy with my UK PPL and French Class 2 medical.... I do realise this 'area' is in something of a state of 'flux' at present, but maybe, visiting may be back by the end of summer???
Thanks for any assistance -
Ian

Re: UK PPL Licence Validity in Europe

PostPosted:Thu Apr 08, 2021 2:49 pm
by xtophe
You need to validate you PPL with DGAC before flying F-reg aircraft.
See https://members.gliding.co.uk/library/p ... -a-uk-spl/ for the form (my google-foo is bad today and cannot find it on DGAC website)
You'll need need to pay some money to DGAC and also possibly CAA for the licence verification

[edit]
Direct link: https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/sites/defa ... ormlic.pdf
But the page it was on disappeared: https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/titres-aer ... oll-nav__5

Re: UK PPL Licence Validity in Europe

PostPosted:Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:22 pm
by leckers
Thanks very much for that. I note the actual form says it's valid until 31Dec2020.... do you happen to know if it has been updated by any lucky chance?
Ian

Re: UK PPL Licence Validity in Europe

PostPosted:Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:27 pm
by xtophe
it says validated on 31st Dec 2020.

However as we're speaking of dates, it seems this form is valid only until 20 June 2021.

Re: UK PPL Licence Validity in Europe

PostPosted:Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:42 pm
by leckers
Yep! I saw that too.... What a mess -

Re: UK PPL Licence Validity in Europe

PostPosted:Thu Apr 08, 2021 7:31 pm
by skydriller
leckers wrote: I have a UK issued PPL + Class 2 medical
Is that a UK FCL (previously EASA) PPL, a UK NPPL, or a UK (ICAO) PPL - and presumably a UK (previously EASA) issued Class 2 medical ?

To avoid confusion

1. None of the above can be used to fly a F-Reg anywhere... or any other EASA state Registered aeroplane for that matter.

2. It is not clear from the form if all of the above licences would be able to be Validated by the DGAC.

As an aside I see there is a wee bit in there about french language and needing to pass a VFR or IFR exam to have a french endorsement...

Regards, SD..

Re: UK PPL Licence Validity in Europe

PostPosted:Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:24 pm
by leckers
Thanks for that extra info. We do not appear to have 'starred' on this subject with Brexit..... do you think a Swede or Roumanian has to speak French to use his licence???
I'll try contacting my French Aero Club to see what they have to say. Probably a shrug, and accept my Euros ! Cheers -

Re: UK PPL Licence Validity in Europe

PostPosted:Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:29 pm
by johnm
leckers wrote:Thanks for that extra info. We do not appear to have 'starred' on this subject with Brexit..... do you think a Swede or Roumanian has to speak French to use his licence???
I'll try contacting my French Aero Club to see what they have to say. Probably a shrug, and accept my Euros ! Cheers -


You need to be clear, the UK is no longer in EASA and that means your EASA licence is now an ICAO compliant UK licence valid on G reg Part 21 aircraft anywhere on planet Earth.

It cannot be used on any other registration without being validated by the country of registration. So while a Rumanian or Swiss can fly a F reg because they hold an EASA licence a Brit cannot.

Re: UK PPL Licence Validity in Europe

PostPosted:Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:43 pm
by xtophe
leckers wrote:do you think a Swede or Roumanian has to speak French to use his licence???

You don't have to use French.
If you want to use French only airport, you need French on your license no change from before.

Re: UK PPL Licence Validity in Europe

PostPosted:Fri Apr 09, 2021 9:29 pm
by skydriller
xtophe wrote:
leckers wrote:do you think a Swede or Roumanian has to speak French to use his licence???

You don't have to use French.
If you want to use French only airport, you need French on your license no change from before.


Not exactly... A Swede or Roumanian would not need to validate, both would have EASA licences...

You can get validated based on english proficiency and do not need french language skills. I was interested that French language was mentioned via 'test' because it is not (to my knowledge) possible to retroactively add french language proficiency to a french EASA licence - it can only be awarded on initial issue and test - I asked about french language when I SOLIed myself...

...and also, I have not seen anything about french proficiency to fly into a 'fr only' aerodrome, only that you are able to speak and understand french to do so... :wink:

Regards, SD..

Re: UK PPL Licence Validity in Europe

PostPosted:Sat Apr 10, 2021 12:17 pm
by leckers
That's perhaps, a little more joyful, SD..... I've just finished reading about this problem in the April 'Pilot' mag, and I can only shake my head in total disbelief and confusion! What a monumentally incompetent screw-up....