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
2nd March 2020