This is still ongoing. I’ve just been told the UK medical certificate needs to have been issued no earlier than 2021 in order to be used for this application.
I would also appreciate some clarifications on the process. I applied for the validation of an EASA PPL(A) from Germany that was issued originally in 2018 and I also currently have a UK CAA medical class 2. I got an initial reply that my application looks fine and that they will process it.
I could not understand for how long the validation will be valid? I also assume that I will need to renew my UK medical once it expires since the EASA one would not be valid, right?
My main purpose is to be able to rent and fly G registered aircrafts during my (frequent) visits to the UK.
There’s two separate processes in this thread:
1 is free and easy, and a gamble it might be extended or renewed.
2 needs a chargeable application to be completed, which it sounds like you’ve done.
Once a UK-issued EASA medical expires, you will need two medical certificates. I used Aviation Medicals Wessex for a dual class 2, UK and EASA (issued by Malta); they have previously done my FAA class 3 also.
I would chase your application. Mine has been almost 5 months, and would have been longer had I not chased every two weeks. I don’t know if this is bad luck, or just how long it takes. I’ve just had a lost parcel notification from FedEx, which I’m ‘hoping’ is my new UK licence. I’ll go into more detail once it has actually arrived.
Edit: the licence is valid for life, but the SEP rating is 2 years. I assume it’s the same process to revalidate (12 hours in second year, one hour with instructor)
Thanks, yes I went for 2 and also started chasing the application (submitted it last February).
So, would it be a “normal” UK license or would it be restricted in any way?
Did you previously hold a UK Part-FCL PPL or did you pass a skill test for one?
As I understand, a completely normal UK licence. They should duplicate your original licence, so any restrictions would come from there, or your medical.
This means the expiry dates of the ratings will be carried across. It might be wise to renew any ratings early if they are likely to expire during the application process.
Qalupalik wrote:
Did you previously hold a UK Part-FCL PPL or did you pass a skill test for one?
No.
Capitaine wrote:
I don’t know if this is bad luck, or just how long it takes. I’ve just had a lost parcel notification from FedEx, which I’m ‘hoping’ is my new UK licence.
Well mine took over 7 months and I applied within minutes of the window opening. Mine arrived by regular mail, rather than FedEx.
The above policy is again confirmed in an email to a colleague:
We are writing to make sure you are aware that if you wish to apply for
your UK Part-FCL licence and medical certificate to operate UK-registered
aircraft from 1 January 2023 (which you can hold concurrently with your
EASA issued Part-FCL licence or certificate), then please do so as early as
possible. The UK will stop recognising European Union (EU) Aviation safety
Agency (EASA) pilot licences and medical certificates for use on
UK-registered aircraft from 1 January 2023 in line with the EU Withdrawal
Act.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a simplified EU-UK
conversion process for those who have previously held UK licences and
medical certificates and/or EASA-only licences to gain UK licences. To
further support pilots, the CAA has also launched a temporary deposit
scheme to allow those submitting their online licence applications to pay
just £60, rather than the full cost upfront, to begin the assessment
process. The balance payment will be required before a UK Part-FCL licence
is issued and dispatched. Please note that the deposit option is only
available for applications made before 31 August 2022 and applies to
applications made through the online application form
After the deadline, pilots with European licences wishing to gain their UK
licence will be required to meet the ICAO conversion requirements,
including written examinations, medical examinations training, and testing
as required and at a higher cost.
So it sounds like “hardball” is still the name of the game.
Note this important condition on the recognition by UK CAA of EU medical certificates.
If your medical certificate issued by an EU AME after 1 January 2021
and before 31 December 2022, the AME who performed the medical must
have had a valid authorisation from an European Union Authority Safety
Agency (EASA) member state and it not have been revalidated, renewed,
suspended or revoked.
We will have to reject your application if the AME’s approval was
issued after 31 December 2020.
