IAA Website - Wednesday, September 30, 2020 9:29 PM

Use of UK issued EASA LAPL or PPL licence without supporting Part MED medical Certificate

The UK CAA recently published an exemption (E 4655) relating to the requirement for holders of Part-FCL Private Pilot Licences and Light Aircraft Pilot Licences to hold an EASA Part-MED medical certificate when operating EASA aircraft.

This exemption does not apply to pilots flying in Ireland. Any holder of an UK issued EASA LAPL or PPL, who wishes to fly in Ireland, must be in possession of the appropriate valid EASA Part MED medical certificate.

The "Aircrew" Regulation

NOTE: Since April 8th 2018, JAR-FCL pilot licences are no longer valid for use on EASA aircraft. JAR-FCL holders must contact their own State of Licence issue to discuss conversion arrangements. JAR-FCL licences may not be transferred in Ireland for issuance of a Part-FCL licence.

EU Regulations came into effect on the 8th April 2012 which impacted on holders of pilot licences. The Regulations are known as Part FCL, Part Med, Part ARA and Part OR and come under the EU Basic Regulation 216/2008 (now 2018/1139). EU Regulation 1178/2011 has been published by the EU Commission,and some of the key points are:

• All pilots flying aircraft registered in an EU Member State are required to have an EU Part FCL licence except for those flying State aircraft and "Annex I" aircraft. Annex I refers to Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1139 and essentially includes microlights, home built aircraft, experimental/ research aircraft and vintage aircraft. Some activity with Annex I aircraft will require that the pilot holds an EU Part FCL licence
• All JAR FCL licences ceased to be valid on the 8th April 2018 for use on "EASA" aircraft.
• EU Part FCL licences (Issued by an EASA Member State) are accepted without further technical requirements or evaluation throughout the European Union.
• For holders of some ratings such as an SEP land rating, a complexity has been added to the system in that some aircraft covered by the rating are now deemed to be Annex I aircraft and outside the scope of the Part FCL licence.
• New ratings were introduced for aerobatic flying, sailplane towing mountain flying and banner towing.
• Glider pilots will be required to hold a Part FCL sailplane licence. (To be replaced by a Part SFCL licence)
• Balloon pilots are required to hold a Part FCL Balloon licence. (To be replaced by a Part BFCL licence)
• All pilots holding an EU Part FCL licence must hold a medical certificate issued in accordance with Part Med.
• The Authority will only be able to issue validations for a maximum period of one year. A further period of up to 1 year may be added if the person has commenced the process of obtaining a Part FCL licence. Validation processing is lengthy and should be confirmed as soon as possible before making on plans on obtaining one.
• All training connected with a Part FCL licence must be undertaken at an Approved Training Organisation (or Declared Training Organisation when available).

We welcome any queries or comments you may have so that we can enhance the level and type of information being supplied in relation to these changes.

Please email your comments to licensing@iaa.ie

EASA Member States

The latest list of EASA Member States can be viewed here

The relationship that other countries have with EASA can be seen here

The United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union on 31/01/2020 at midnight (Brussels time) and is now a Third Country. Under the terms of its Withdrawal Agreement, EU Law will apply for the UK during a transition period until 31/12/2020.

Other European countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia have various relationships with EASA but are not EASA Member States and continue to be recognised as Third Countries.