[flyingjohno]

Yep. Email just in from the LAA warning members that neither PMDs or NPPLs / National Licenses will be valid for EASA aircraft after 8th April......

[JAFO]

Oh well, it's been fun. I guess I'll try to have as busy a March as possible. Funny that what would be perfectly safe today and has been safe for several years will somehow not be so in 6 weeks time.

[Richard Dastardly]

Well, I've an LAPL Medical booked at the end of March - but it would be good if they could get their ducks in a row beforehand................

[PaulB]

It would appear no is the answer

https://www.caa.co.uk/News/Changes-to-G ... larations/

It would now appear to be in EASA's gift... was that said earlier?

[riverrock]

Letter from LAA to members:
https://phpbb.lightaircraftassociation. ... f=5&t=5872

Dear LAA Member
National Licensing and Medical Exemptions expire on Wednesday 8 April 2020
The CAA has just issued advice, that they have been unable to secure extensions to the exemptions that currently allow pilots holding NPPLs or UK PPLs, or flying with a self-declaration of their medical fitness, to fly EASA-Certificated aircraft in the UK. The current exemptions expire on Wednesday 8 April 2020. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is therefore advising affected pilots to act now to be able to continue flying legally after that date.
Pilots flying non-EASA certificated aircraft, such as LAA Permit types, with NPPLs, UK PPLs or medical self-declaration in the UK are not affected.
Currently pilots with a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Light Aircraft Pilot’s License (LAPL) or Private Pilot’s License (PPL) can self-declare their medical fitness to fly aircraft certificated by EASA, rather than having to gain a LAPL Medical Certificate, a Class 2 medical with an Aero-Medical Examiner (AME) or a LAPL medical certificate with their NHS General Practitioner (subject to certain criteria).
The LAA has been pushing the CAA and DfT on this for some months. However the exemption that allows this in the UK can only be renewed if EASA extends its derogation that permits national pilot license holders to operate EASA certified aircraft.
EASA has not yet published a decision on extending its derogation. The CAA is therefore advising pilots who are likely to be affected to consider booking and completing a LAPL or Class 2 medical to enable them to continue flying legally. Information about obtaining a GP-issued LAPL can be found here.
The UK cannot legally issue a further exemption at this time but, given the very short notice at which an EASA decision is expected, the CAA is working with the Department for Transport (DfT) to try to find an alternative approach.
We will immediately publish any update from EASA, CAA or the DfT as it becomes available. Please monitor our website.
Regards
LAA

[muffin]

Having recently spent a shed load of money on an EASA aircraft which I am flying on a PMD I guess I will have to try the LAPL medical route again.

[Edward Bellamy]

It’s not looking good unfortunately, what seems to have happened is that with UK reps gone from the EASA Committee no one else is interested in extending the derogation.

There might still be a political solution to this, but the CAA are right to start on contingency procedures.

On the bright side though... it is now looking like the UK will be pursing a BASA arrangement with EASA rather than non-MS participation, if so this can all be reversed come the end of the transition period...

[Ian Melville]

Where do aircraft with EASA permits fit with this? Beagle Pup etc.

[Edward Bellamy]

Nothing to do with permits etc... if it’s an EASA aircraft it’s an EASA aircraft.

[G-BLEW]

On the bright side though... it is now looking like the UK will be pursing a BASA arrangement with EASA rather than non-MS participation, if so this can all be reversed come the end of the transition period...

Seeking a BASA is one thing, achieving one by the end of the year is another. The already negotiated US/EASA BASA seems to have been missing for years, although I think there's a US rather than EASA delay.

Trying hard to stay away from politics, what has EASA got to gain from a hastily negotiated BASA?

Ian

[riverrock]

Is it this that would allow EASA registered aircraft, such as all of the easyjet fleet, to operate internal scheduled flights within the UK?

[GrahamB]

Is it this that would allow EASA registered aircraft, such as all of the easyjet fleet, to operate internal scheduled flights within the UK?

EasyJet have kept a substantial number of aircraft on the G-Reg, along with pilots on UK issued licences.

That allows them to continue to operate UK internal flights which they wouldn’t be able to do with Austrian reg aircraft and licences.

[Edward Bellamy]

Indeed Ian, I mean this is just one big political unknown.

Considering the track record of taking the US - EASA BASA out of the certification realm and into other areas it's not a great record. I don't think EASA has a huge amount to gain and certainly in terms of commercial flight training for example the UK is in the weaker position.

But in terms of the wider piece here, at the moment the Government seems fairly firm in its position that there will be no continued membership of European institutions or observance of EU rules after the end of the transition period. That does suggest we will be leaving EASA in the form that would require us to continue observing EU rules in the manner discussed here, regardless of whether a BASA has been agreed.

Who knows though, it does depend on how red these red lines really are.

[G-BLEW]

That does suggest we will be leaving EASA in the form that would require us to continue observing EU rules in the manner discussed here, regardless of whether a BASA has been agreed.

It certainly looks like that today. Tumultuous times ahead.

Ian

[Boxkite]

Can't we just stop calling them EASA aircraft? and call them CAA certified aircraft like it used to be........