Potential effect of European legislation on military pilots applying for civil licences

22(TRG) GP – BRIEFING NOTE FROM DFT

THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT CREW LICENSING AND MILITARY ACCREDITATION

• On 8 April 12, a pan-European aviation organisation, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), will become legally responsible for all aviation legislation within the EU, enacting regulation through existing national bodies. In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be responsible for implementing EASA regulation; this will be binding in UK law, and will replace and override the equivalent national aviation legislation contained within the Air Navigation Order 2009.

• As a result of this new regulation, the current system of Flight Crew Licensing and Military Accreditation, which gives credit for training, experience and theoretical knowledge gained in military service, (also known as the Qualified Service Pilot (QSP) scheme), will cease to exist.

• 22(Trg) Gp is working on a tri-Service successor to the QSP scheme, in consultation with the CAA, which will be forwarded to EASA for formal approval and legal implementation.

• As part of this work a credit report is being developed - this will compare the flying experience and theoretical knowledge gained by military pilots, during their training and beyond, with the requirements set out in the new regulations. This work is necessarily detailed – a thorough comparison of groundschool syllabi, training objectives and experience needs is being developed, in order to stand up to external scrutiny and audit.

• The completed report, when accepted by the CAA, will form the basis of new Military Accreditation and bridging requirements under EASA regulation.

• Until 8 Apr 12, the extant QSP regulations, as published by the CAA in LASORS 2010, will apply; anyone wishing to take advantage of the existing QSP scheme is advised to acquaint themselves with this publication, which is available online at www.caa.co.uk/ under Safety Regulation / Personnel Licensing.

• It is envisaged that the last ground examinations under the existing system will take place in Mar 12. From Jun 11, groundschool providers will begin tuition compliant with the new EASA regulations, albeit in tandem with tuition for the existing syllabus.

• Once the credit report has been finalised and accepted, the new Military Accreditation scheme will be incorporated into a CAP (Civil Aviation Publication) document, released and controlled by the CAA. A summary of the expected effects on the licensing of pilots is available at www.caa.co.uk/ under Safety Regulation / EASA / EASA – Licensing & Training Standards.

• It is our intent that the replacement for the QSP will fully acknowledge the skills, training and experience gained by military aircrew. Furthermore it will be presented in a format that is easily understood and amended. The new scheme will have a future proofing management system to allow ease of amendment as regulations and our own training systems evolve.

• We intend to issue regular bulletins outlining our progress; these will be given wide publicity.

• Any questions or queries should be addressed to:

Flt Lt Paul Hughes
CAA Liaison Officer
HQ 22(Trg) Gp
Mobile: 07769 640452
DII: 22TrgGp-FT SO3 CAA Liaison Off

Or

Sqn Ldr Richard Saunders
FT FJ1 SO2
HQ 22(Trg) Gp
Military: 9679 80092
Mobile: 07500 065736

DII: 22TrgGp-FT FJ1 SO2

ALLOWANCES AGAINST TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR UK QUALIFIED AND NON-QUALIFIED SERVICE PILOTS TOWARDS THE JAR-FCL PPL(A)

For PPL(A) purposes only, where reference is made to a Service Pilot this is defined as being a UK Service Pilot (Aeroplanes) who has completed a recognised military course of flying training and has had the award of the flying badge confirmed in compliance with QR(RAF) J727*. In addition, the applicant must have been qualified to act as Pilot-in-Command of military registered aircraft.

* The term “flying badge” is used to include all badges worn by personnel who have successfully completed a prescribed course of flying training

QSP should also note that the CAA makes a distinction between pilots who initially qualify on fixed-wing aircraft (QSP(A)), and those who initially qualify on helicopters (QSP(H)). The terms given are based on Qualified Service Pilots in current military service and are defined as current. Current in this context means a Qualified Service Pilot (Aeroplanes) who has flown a minimum of 12 hours as pilot of aeroplanes during the course of his service duties, including at least 6 hours as First Pilot, and at least 12 take-offs and landings, and one flight with a flight or UK military instructor pilot in the 12 month period preceding the date of application for licence issue.

This means that someone facing 'holding' after their 'Wings course' - or a long OCU and CR work-up - can now obtain a PPL much more easily than hitherto!

A UK QSP(A) with previous military SEP aeroplane experience (Bulldog, Chipmunk,T67 Firefly or Grob 115 Tutor) will be credited all flying training requirements. A QSP(A) who has been current on any military aeroplane in the preceding 5 years will be credited the JAR-FCL PPL(A) examinations in Navigation & Radio Aids, Meteorology, Aircraft (General) & Principles of Flight and Flight performance & Planning. A QSP(A) who meets the eligibility criteria for any of the QSP accreditation schemes (as detailed in Sections D3 and D6) will additionally be credited the Human Performance & Limitations exam. A QSP(A) who has been current on any military aeroplane in the preceding 5 years will be credited Section 3 En-Route Procedures of the PPL(A) Skill Test. A QSP(A) who is current on SEP aeroplanes will be credited the PPL(A) Skill Test.

A UK QSP(A) with jet experience only, who is/has been current on any military aeroplane in the preceding 5 years, will be required to complete flight instruction in SEP aeroplanes at the discretion of the Chief Flying Instructor of a Registered Facility or Flying Training Organisation, and pass the PPL(A) skill test (but will be credited Section 3 (En-route procedures)). The examinations in Navigation & Radio Aids, Meteorology, Aircraft General & Principles of Flight and Flight Performance & Planning will be credited.

UK QUALIFIED SERVICE PILOTS (HELICOPTERS) (QSP(H))

A current UK QSP(H) with previous SEP aeroplane experience will be required to meet the flying training/experience requirements as detailed in C1.2. However, a credit will be given for the 150 nm solo Qualifying Cross Country flight. In addition, a QSP(H) will also be required to pass the complete JAR-FCL PPL(A) Skill Test and pass the JAR-FCL PPL(A) Theoretical Knowledge Examinations in all subjects with the exception of Navigation & Radio Aids and Meteorology examinations that are credited.

A QSP who meets the eligibility criteria for any of the QSP accreditation schemes (as detailed in Sections D3 and D6) will additionally be credited the Human Performance & Limitations exam.

No. 1 ELEMENTARY FLYING TRAINING SCHOOL SERVICE ELEMENTARY FLYING TRAINING COURSE/UAS FLYING COURSE - Flying Training/Theoretical Knowledge Requirements

Graduates from the Service Elementary Flying Training Course (commenced November 2000 onwards) will be presented with a Course Completion Certificate by, No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School, indicating FULL or PARTIAL accreditation towards the JAR-FCL PPL(A) requirements detailing either a fully completed accredited course or completed parts of an accredited course.

Graduates presented with a full accreditation course completion certificate (annotated with a Green Border) will be credited all the flying training and theoretical knowledge requirements. Graduates presented with a partial course completion certificate (annotated with a Yellow Border) will be credited only the elements completed during EFT training. Students will be required to complete the outstanding elements to qualify for licence issue. In both cases, credit for the PPL(A) skill test will be given for a period of 24 months from the date of the Final Handling Test.

Any previous flying experience in single-engine piston (Land) aeroplanes gained during any Service Elementary Flying Training Courses including the UAS Flying Course (that commenced prior to November 2000, or incomplete courses from any period of time) may be counted towards the requirements for the grant of a JAR-FCL PPL(A). Applicants wishing to claim credits against these requirements will be required to attend a registered facility of approved FTO and provide logbook evidence of their training (certified by their military course instructor) to the Chief Flying Instructor. The CFI will then establish a course of training taking into account previous experience to ensure that the specific requirements of C1.2 have been met.

In addition to any flying training required (where there is a shortfall of requirements), applicants will be required to complete one cross-country flight of at least 270km (150nm), during which full stop landings at two different aerodromes of departure shall be made, pass all JAR-FCL PPL(A) theoretical knowledge examinations* and pass the PPL(A) skill test.

*If the graduate is now a UK QSP(H) credits will be given for the Navigation & Radio Aids and Meteorology examinations.