CAP 804 - (LASORS) - Part O Dated 1 May 12

The previous UK terms for Qualified Service Pilots (QMP - Qualified Military Pilots) to obtain JAR-FCL licences, as set out in LASORS 2010, ceased on 7 April 2012. Article 10 of the EASA Aircrew Regulation (Regulation 1178/2011) includes provision for military pilots to be given credit for military training and experience when making application to the national authority (of the State for whom they serve or served) for EASA licences.

The terms must be established by compiling a credit report that compares the military training with Part FCL and identifies the additional training and experience required for military pilots to comply with Part FCL. This credit report, together with the proposed crediting terms must be developed in co-ordination with EASA. The new scheme must be in place before a Part-FCL (EASA) licence can be granted on the basis of credit for military flying. At the time of publication there is no credit report for the UK Military Forces. Until a new scheme has been agreed no credit can be given for military training and experience for the grant of a Part-FCL licence.

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