Consultation on changes to UK Regulations recognising physical or electronic format personnel licences and medical certificates

The change is to enable at an appropriate time for the Authority to introduce Electronic Personnel Licences.

The current provisions of ICAO Annex 1,Chapter 5 permit a signatory State to issue a licence in either the traditional format of paper/card or in an electronic format.

Personnel licences will conform to one of the following specifications in the amended ICAO provisions:

(a) licences issued on first quality paper or other suitable material, including plastic cards; or

(b) personnel licences issued in electronic format on self-contained mobile visual electronic display devices. .

Examples of self-contained mobile electronic visual display devices are mobile phones, tablets, or other mobile devices.

The CAA recommends familiarisation with Annex 1,Chapter 5 and Appendix 4 before responding to the questions in the survey. Annex I Chapter 5 and Appendix 4

The proposed regulatory changes affect the following:

Implementing Rules subject to UK Regulation 2018/1139 (UK Basic Regulation)

Aircrew:

              (a) UK Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 (Aircrew Regulation);

              (b) UK Regulation (EU) 2018/1976 (Sailplane Regulation);

              (c) UK Regulation (EU) 2018/395 (Balloon Regulation);

ATCO (Air Traffic Controllers Regulation):

              (d) UK Regulation (EU) 2015/340 (Air Traffic Controllers Regulation);

Aircraft Maintenance Licence:

              (e) UK Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 (Continuing Airworthiness Regulation).

Air Navigation Order 2016:

            (f) Flight Crew Licensing

            (g) Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licensing (Section L – CAP 468)

            (h) Flight Information Service Officer Licensing (CAP 1032)

            (i) Radio Operator Certificate of Competence (CAP 452)

The proposed change to legislation is in response HM Government  recommendations: Civil Aviation Authority review: report - GOV.UK Recommendation 4.1.

The format of licence will continue to comply with ICAO Annex 1 as the UK needs to ensure full compliance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation to ensure licences are accepted internationally.

For those persons holding sub-ICAO licences, there will be minimal impact by this regulatory change. These licences will remain non-ICAO compliant and not acceptable outside of the UK unless there is a separate agreement with the State. However, the format of the licence will remain similar to all other licences issued by the UK.

On adoption of an Electronic Personnel Licensing system the CAA foresees the possible benefits to the licence holder:

• Safety benefits – an electronic personnel licence will result in an improvement in the security of documentation and may enhance safety by reducing potential fraud.
• Efficiency benefits – the electronic licence will reduce the time taken for applicants to receive their licence and reflect any licence changes in a timelier manner than is possible for hard copy licences. An EPL can be linked to other information including medical certificates or endorsements.
• Environmental benefits - delivered by a reduction in the number of printed licenses.