Thu Feb 17, 2022 4:15 pm
#1899821
Here’s my tale of woe…..
PPL since 1986 and still current, CPL then ATPL/ IR since 1990 and still current. Originally UK issued but was forced to SOLI to an EU state due to EASA ten years ago as I work for an EU airline - have done so for 24 years. Didn’t set out to but the small UK airline I worked for was taken over by an EU carrier so over we all went….!
The EASA creation seemed a pain at the time - but I weathered it and it was always my intention to SOLI back to the UK if and when my EU employment finishes. I have no intention of ever working for another EU carrier. So with Brexit and the UK divorce procedure came the “UK Returner” process - which sounded well and good. Maybe some people have had success but there’s a lot of hoops that must be passed through. One too many for me sadly. Firstly one needs to apply for a UK Class One medical thereafter the ATPL application would follow. I applied for the medical mid 2021 (6 months in to the 2 year transition window). Having worked hard to obtain all my medical records since SOLI from the EU authority as requested by the CAA, I have now finally had my application rejected because …… since I submitted my application I have now had another recurrent EU medical revalidation - and because the examiner’s own AME authority had been revalidated since the Brexit date of 31-12-2020 he is not recognised by the UK…!
So the only way I could proceed is to undergo an Initial Class One examination at one of the 3 AeMC’s. My local AME cannot do it as it’s been over 5 years since I held a UK issued medical. The nearest AeMC is 200 miles away and the minimum cost would be well over £650 - just for the basic medical and that’s if nothing else needs following up. So for me it’s a non-starter - I will just have to accept that when I finish working in the EU my cap & goggles will be hung up for good. The cost and hassle of an initial Class One is just not worth it - plus I have no idea if 53 year olds (almost 54!) like me have any chance of passing an initial again? I imagine that the average age of initial Class One applicants is 23 or less, not 53…!
But there is a bright side - praise to the Lord I have always kept and maintained my old Brown UK PPL which is current for SEP - so I will always be able to continue flying my good old LAA permit aeroplane as I have always done.
I’m not bitter and twisted or emotionally distressed about all of this - I just feel rather sad that things have come to this. All those years ago when I sweated and toiled to proudly achieve my UK commercial licence and Instrument Rating I never though I would lose it again through politics. Nice one Boris, Nigel and all the other Brexiteers - have a drink on me! (On second thoughts - NO!).
PPL since 1986 and still current, CPL then ATPL/ IR since 1990 and still current. Originally UK issued but was forced to SOLI to an EU state due to EASA ten years ago as I work for an EU airline - have done so for 24 years. Didn’t set out to but the small UK airline I worked for was taken over by an EU carrier so over we all went….!
The EASA creation seemed a pain at the time - but I weathered it and it was always my intention to SOLI back to the UK if and when my EU employment finishes. I have no intention of ever working for another EU carrier. So with Brexit and the UK divorce procedure came the “UK Returner” process - which sounded well and good. Maybe some people have had success but there’s a lot of hoops that must be passed through. One too many for me sadly. Firstly one needs to apply for a UK Class One medical thereafter the ATPL application would follow. I applied for the medical mid 2021 (6 months in to the 2 year transition window). Having worked hard to obtain all my medical records since SOLI from the EU authority as requested by the CAA, I have now finally had my application rejected because …… since I submitted my application I have now had another recurrent EU medical revalidation - and because the examiner’s own AME authority had been revalidated since the Brexit date of 31-12-2020 he is not recognised by the UK…!
So the only way I could proceed is to undergo an Initial Class One examination at one of the 3 AeMC’s. My local AME cannot do it as it’s been over 5 years since I held a UK issued medical. The nearest AeMC is 200 miles away and the minimum cost would be well over £650 - just for the basic medical and that’s if nothing else needs following up. So for me it’s a non-starter - I will just have to accept that when I finish working in the EU my cap & goggles will be hung up for good. The cost and hassle of an initial Class One is just not worth it - plus I have no idea if 53 year olds (almost 54!) like me have any chance of passing an initial again? I imagine that the average age of initial Class One applicants is 23 or less, not 53…!
But there is a bright side - praise to the Lord I have always kept and maintained my old Brown UK PPL which is current for SEP - so I will always be able to continue flying my good old LAA permit aeroplane as I have always done.
I’m not bitter and twisted or emotionally distressed about all of this - I just feel rather sad that things have come to this. All those years ago when I sweated and toiled to proudly achieve my UK commercial licence and Instrument Rating I never though I would lose it again through politics. Nice one Boris, Nigel and all the other Brexiteers - have a drink on me! (On second thoughts - NO!).
100poundburger liked this