UK To Issue Medical Certificate For New European Light Aircraft Pilot’s License

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UK To Issue Medical Certificate For New European Light Aircraft Pilot’s License

By Shane Nolan

September 12, 2012 - General practitioners (GPs) in the UK will be able to assess the fitness of pilots applying for the new pan-European Light Aircraft Pilot’s License (LAPL).

The license, which comes into effect on September 17, 2012 as part of major reforms to pilot licensing across the EU, will only be valid if the applicant holds a valid medical certificate. In the UK this can be obtained from his or her GP.

Only GPs with specialist training in aviation medicine, approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as Aeromedical Examiners (AMEs), will be able to issue medical certificates for other types of pilot licenses, such as the Private Pilot’s License (PPL).

The UK CAA is providing guidance on its website for GPs on the specific requirements of the LAPL assessment. Pilots will also be able to download this information to give to their GP on the day of their assessment. Assessment forms can be sent to the CAA electronically.

If the applicant has a significant medical history or condition which has not been reviewed previously, the GP can refer the application to a specialist AME. A referral form will also be available as part of the web-based application process.

Dr Sally Evans, Chief Medical Officer at the CAA, said “There are around 40,000 private pilots in the UK, many of whom may be interested in obtaining this new European license. GPs need to be aware of the changes taking place in pilot licensing across Europe as they may well affect some of their patients.”

The new Light Aircraft Pilot’s License is being created by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) as it begins the process of harmonizing pilot licenses in Europe. UK pilot licenses will transition to be based on EASA regulations from April 2012.

The same levels of license listed above will apply and most procedures remain unchanged with the exception that the NPPL will become a European-wide license named the LAPL (was Leisure now Light Aircraft Pilot License). The UK CAA has published their interpretation of how these changes will affect pilots. EASA has published an explanation of Basic Regulation 216/2008 w. The main points are:

- EASA regulations apply only to so-called EASA aircraft. These exclude micro lights, homebuilt and certain models classed under a Permit-To-Fly or Annex II

- EASA pilot licensing rules come into force on April 8, 2012 at which time all existing UK issued JAR licenses automatically become EASA documents. JAR medical certificates are also considered to be the equivalent EASA documents.

- UK CAA began issuing EASA licenses July 1, 2012, at which time EASA Basic Regulation Annexes began and will apply.

- A transition period applies until April 2015, after which point national variations cease to apply.

- UK national licenses will be retained and can be used on non-EASA aircraft.

- The new European wide LAPL (Light Aircraft Pilot Licence) will replace the UK NPPL for EASA aircraft from April 2015 onwards.

- New harder medical requirements will lead to increased safety and reduce accidents.