CAA Regulation and Exemptions Update – 04/2020 – ORS 1374

LATEST UPDATE 07/04/2020

For those wondering what will happen to EASA type ratings and EASA medicals during the coronavirus restrictions, the CAA have since published ORS 1374 which extends the validity of various medical certificate and type/class ratings which were due to expire between 16th March 2020 and 31st October 2020. These can be extended until 22nd November 2020. Full details on ORS 1374 available here.

For those with helicopter type ratings which expire during this period, if you wish to stay ‘current’ then you will need a sign-off from an examiner who will be able to extend the validity of your rating. Alternatively if the rating is left to expire it will be no difficulty to renew your rating once any restrictions are lifted – you will just not be able to fly as PIC on that type in the mean-time. Get in touch if you have any questions or need your rating extended as we can help.

For the extension of a medical, ORS 1374 states “you must not have experienced a reduction in medical fitness in accordance with MED.A.020” and “those who are under additional medical surveillance (e.g. by their AME or the CAA) should continue to comply with the specified requirements (e.g. provision of reports) imposed by their AME or the CAA.” Visit the links above for more info.

Initial Update

Over the last couple of weeks there have been a few regulation updates which are relevant to PPL(H) and CPL(H) licence holders and useful for those currently undergoing pilot training.

General Aviation: In line with the UK Government’s response to the Coronavirous outbreak to Stay At Home, the guidance is that that people shall not take part in recreational GA flying during the current climate. The government have not, however, put a specific restriction on VFR flying like there is elsewhere in Europe.  More information available here.

FAA Licences in the UK: Previously in order to use an FAA/ICAO licence in UK airspace you will have had to obtain licence verification from the FAA before making a declaration. The UK will now permit FAA license holders to exercise private privileges within UK airspace for the time being until a bi-lateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) is completed with the USA. ORS 1365 available here.

CPL(H) Holders & Air Operators: For those operating under PART-ORO (essentially professional pilots working for an air operator), there are a number of extensions to the validity period of ratings etc. which expire prior to 31st October 2020. See more here.

Medical Certificates: As the EASA derogation allowing UK pilots to fly EASA aircraft on a self-declaration medical scheme is expiring shortly (meaning a lot of new LAPL medicals will be getting issued), exemptions are in force to alleviate the pressure on medical examiners. It’s just an extension of an existing exemption which allowed EASA licence holders to fly certain EASA aircraft without an EASA medical, using the UK self declaration scheme.
In short, for those who made a Pilot Medical Declaration (PMD) before 08/04/2020, the CAA have granted a further extension of up to 7 months. What does this mean for the majority of the private helicopter community of PPL(H) holders using an EASA Part-MED Class II medical? Not much, for the following reasons:

1. When issued with an EASA Class 2 medical certificate, you automatically get LAPL Medical privileges on your certificate with a validity which exceeds that of the Class 2 You can therefore let your Class II expire and still be valid under a LAPL medical;
2. Your PPL(H) includes LAPL privileges too, so you can use your PPL as if you have a LAPL if your class 2 has expired – adhering to the tighter restrictions of course (act as PIC on single-engine piston helicopters with a maximum certified take-off mass of 2000Kg or less, carrying a maximum of 3 passengers, such that there are never more than 4 persons on-board.);
3. There will not be much flying to do over the next few months regardless;
4. Renewal or revalidation of your existing Class II (if you haven’t been using the PMD scheme prior to this) should be fairly straightforward when it comes to it;
5. The CAA may issue separate exemptions in the coming week for the holders of PPLs and Part-MED certificates.

Full ORS incl Restrictions Available Here

Latest Information

We imagine that further guidance will be issued over the next couple of weeks that give a clearer picture of the current situation at the CAA in terms of licensing and ratings.

To stay up to date we recommend using the CAA’s SkyWise service, signup available here.